Microplastics and PMT plastic-associated chemicals as co-contaminants in ice shaving waste from an urban ice rink

Abstract

Ice hockey, curling, and skating are popular recreational activities across Canada's nearly 8,000 ice rinks, yet potential contamination of rink ice shaving waste remains understudied. This study investigated the presence of emerging contaminants, including microplastics and persistent, mobile, and toxic (PMT) plastic-associated chemicals as co-contaminants in ice shaving from the Mattamy Athletic Centre (formerly Maple Leaf Gardens) located in the City of Toronto. Microplastics were detected at high concentrations ranging from 59 to 2,063 particles per 100 mL of melted ice shaving, with particle sizes between 11 and 494 μm (median 38 μm) in diameter. Among 124 screened PMT plastic-associated chemicals, significantly higher levels were detected in ice-shaving water than ice-making source water, implicating the ice rink infrastructure and/or skater equipment as sources of contamination. These findings represent the first documented evidence of microplastics and PMT chemicals in ice shavings from an ice rink. They are significant because ice-shaving waste is disposed of via drainage to sanitary sewers and/or outdoor dumping, both of which are pathways for potential environmental contamination. Given the scale of ice rink operations nationwide, the results highlight a need for comprehensive multi-facility assessments, source identification, targeted contaminant monitoring, and improved waste-management practices, including accessible treatment technologies.