Chemicals in Plastics - A Technical Report

Abstract

This report aims to inform the global community about the chemical-related issues of plastic pollution and options to address them. It also aims to support the negotiation process to develop the instrument on plastic pollution based on United Nations Environment Assembly resolution 5/14. The report outlines a set of credible and publicly available scientific studies and initiatives focused on chemicals in plastics and the science-policy interface. However, the report is not exhaustive given the large and rapidly growing volume of global research on the topic, nor does it comprehensively review the environmental and occupational epidemiological literature. As the evidence base grows, future efforts will build on this report to further provide support and take actions to reduce the impacts of plastic pollution and the associated chemicals affecting individuals, communities, and ecosystems.

Plastic food packaging from five countries contains endocrine and metabolism disrupting chemicals

“…The optimized models performed better than the initial models and a randomly selected set of features used for validation. The model for PXR activity (Figure 6A and E) resulted in the lowest feature reduction (51%) and the lowest predictive power (cross-validated R 2 of 0.61) suggesting that multiple compounds contribute to receptor activation in line with the promiscuous binding properties of PXR. The ERα model (Figure 6 C and G) exhibited the best performance, with a pronounced improvement of the cross-validated RMSE and good predictability (cross-validated R 2 of 0.9), along with a large reduction in the number of features (89% reduction).…”

“…The model for PXR activity (Figure 6A and E) resulted in the lowest feature reduction (51%) and the lowest predictive power (cross-validated R 2 of 0.61) suggesting that multiple compounds contribute to receptor activation in line with the promiscuous binding properties of PXR. The ERα model (Figure 6 C and G) exhibited the best performance, with a pronounced improvement of the cross-validated RMSE and good predictability (cross-validated R 2 of 0.9), along with a large reduction in the number of features (89% reduction). This indicates that specific chemicals are present in the active samples, significantly co-correlating with their estrogenicity, while these components are absent in the inactive samples.…”

Legacy and Emerging Plasticizers and Stabilizers in PVC Floorings and Implications for Recycling

“…The building and construction sector is a major industrial user of plastics, particularly of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In Europe, 71% of PVC is used in building and construction, contributing to 38% of all plastics used in the sector. , Flooring is one major building and construction application (7–10% of PVC) employing primarily flexible PVC, which is also used for flexible films, sheets, cables, and tubes (14% of PVC) and is generally extensively plasticized. , Many chemical substances are present in plastics, including residual monomers, additives, processing aids, and so-called “non-intentionally added substances” such as contaminants, by-products, and breakdown products. − Generally, PVC requires heat- and UV-stabilization (0.05–5 wt %), flexible applications such as flooring require plasticization (5–65 wt %), and may contain large amounts of fillers (5–50 wt %), in addition to other additives (such as colorants, antioxidants). − Among the additives, plasticizers and stabilizers are particularly interesting, as they are used in comparatively large amounts and have been the subject of regulatory scrutiny in recent years. For example, PVC plastics have been notorious for their extensive use of multiple hazardous ortho -phthalates as plasticizers and cadmium, lead, and tin as stabilizers.…”

“… 3 , 4 Many chemical substances are present in plastics, including residual monomers, additives, processing aids, and so-called “non-intentionally added substances” such as contaminants, by-products, and breakdown products. 5 − 7 Generally, PVC requires heat- and UV-stabilization (0.05–5 wt %), flexible applications such as flooring require plasticization (5–65 wt %), and may contain large amounts of fillers (5–50 wt %), in addition to other additives (such as colorants, antioxidants). 8 − 10 Among the additives, plasticizers and stabilizers are particularly interesting, as they are used in comparatively large amounts and have been the subject of regulatory scrutiny in recent years.…”