Investigation of the Presence and Possible Migration from Microplastics of Phthalic Acid Esters and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Abstract

The work detailed here examined the presence and possibility of leaching of phthalic acid esters (PAEs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from various products in everyday use. Due to the complicated matrix, which is plastic, extraction parameters should be selected separately each time. The properties of both the extractant and the material selected for testing should also be taken into account, which is very difficult in practice. In addition, when designing new methods, it is particularly important to take into account the principles of green chemistry so as not to burden the environment additionally. For this purpose, it is important to know the factors that affect the extraction of impurities. Therefore, the main objective was to assess the impact of selected environmental conditions on the process by which such pollutants in plastics like polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP) and rubber migrate. Analysis inter alia addressed the impacts of type of plastic, migration time, temperature and microplastic particle size. It proved possible to note the presence in PVC and rubber of both PAEs and PAHs—as substances posing a particular threat to the environment. One of the former is the commonly-used plasticiser di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a listed priority hazardous substance under the provisions of Directive 2013/39/EU as regards priority substances in the field of water policy. As monitoring of this substance in the environment indicates amounts that are increasing steadily, the design of effective removal methods needs to start with initial estimates of amounts appearing in the environment over time. Main sources need to be explored, albeit in the certain knowledge that the ubiquitous microplastics are among these, inter alia as influenced by elution mechanisms. An attempt was also made to identify and characterise other auxiliary substances added to plastics as they are being produced. Indeed, chromatograms and GC/MS spectra suggest leaching of many other plastic substances. Relationships between eluted pollutants were also sought.

CH4 and CO2 Emissions from the Decomposition of Microplastics in the Bottom Sediment—Preliminary Studies

“…The emission of methane and carbon dioxide from the decomposition of microplastics in the water environment was analyzed for three types of plastics, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), and rubber (Table 2). Two types of polyvinyl chloride materials with low plasticizer content (gasket) and high plasticizer content (foil) were analyzed [27]. Polypropylene gloves were for everyday use, while rubber tires were used as car tires.…”

Identification and Quantification of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Polyhydroxyalkanoates Produced from Mixed Microbial Cultures and Municipal Organic Wastes at Pilot Scale

“…After acetone extraction, the concentration of acenaphtylene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene and pyrene in PVC was 14.30, 2.64, 10.68 and 55.54 mg kg −1 , respectively; the concentration of anthracene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene and pyrene in rubber was 11.64, 5.63, 13.30 and 28.38 mg kg −1 , respectively. In comparison with PAH concentration determined in thermal-stabilized raw biomass, which showed the highest PAH content among the whole sample set (Table 1), the PAH content found in PVC and rubber [23] was almost 3 orders of magnitude higher, with the only exception of phenantrene concentration, which was higher in PHA samples (8.3 mg kg −1 ).…”

“…Although there is no data availability in the literature regarding PAH determination in biobased plastics specially derived from waste, it is possible to compare the present results with a very recent study conducted on traditional plastics. Kida et al [23] determined the presence of PAHs in plastics (including polyvinyl chloride, PVC) and rubbers debris of different items, for example, PVC gaskets and rubber tyres. After acetone extraction, the concentration of acenaphtylene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene and pyrene in PVC was 14.30, 2.64, 10.68 and 55.54 mg kg −1 , respectively; the concentration of anthracene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene and pyrene in rubber was 11.64, 5.63, 13.30 and 28.38 mg kg −1 , respectively.…”

PAEs Derivatives’ Design for Insulation: Integrated In-Silico Methods, Functional Assessment and Environmentally Friendly Molecular Modification

“…Most PAEs in the air emerge from the production and incineration of plastic products, spraying of coatings, and volatilization of plasticizers in agricultural plastic films; these PAEs have been detected in the atmosphere worldwide [ 14 ]. Although the natural complete degradation of plastic is difficult, it can be decomposed into microplastics through processes including sun exposure, weathering, and abrasion, which leads to several adverse effects, such as PAE accumulation and enrichment in organisms through food chains, which endangers organism health and the natural environment [ 15 ]. Dubaish et al [ 16 ] reported the frequent appearance of suspended microplastics and black carbon particles in the coastal waters of the southern North Sea.…”