The volume of recyclable polyethylene terephthalate plastic in operating rooms – A one-month prospective audit

Wyssusek, Kerstin; Keys, Maggie T; Laycock, Bronwyn; Avudainayagam, Anjana; Pun, Kenwick; Hansrajh, Sachin; Zundert, André van

doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2020.05.011

Cited by 15 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…A large retrospective study across five hospitals in Massachusetts, U.S.A, identified that the operating theatres contributed to 33.2 tons per year of plastic waste [ 32 ]. A study of PET usage in 22 Brisbane operating theatres reported a production ~1,700 kg per year [ 33 ]. In our recent study of MP levels and types in a surgery environment, airborne MP levels of 1,924 ± 3,105 MP m -2 day -1 in theatre were observed [ 20 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of microplastics in human saphenous vein tissue using μFTIR: A pilot study

et al. 2023

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Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in the environment, in the human food chain, and have been recently detected in blood and lung tissues. To undertake a pilot analysis of MP contamination in human vein tissue samples with respect to their presence (if any), levels, and characteristics of any particles identified. This study analysed digested human saphenous vein tissue samples (n = 5) using μFTIR spectroscopy (size limitation of 5 μm) to detect and characterise any MPs present. In total, 20 MP particles consisting of five MP polymer types were identified within 4 of the 5 vein tissue samples with an unadjusted average of 29.28 ± 34.88 MP/g of tissue (expressed as 14.99 ± 17.18 MP/g after background subtraction adjustments). Of the MPs detected in vein samples, five polymer types were identified, of irregular shape (90%), with alkyd resin (45%), poly (vinyl propionate/acetate, PVAc (20%) and nylon-ethylene-vinyl acetate, nylon-EVA, tie layer (20%) the most abundant. While the MP levels within tissue samples were not significantly different than those identified within procedural blanks (which represent airborne contamination at time of sampling), they were comprised of different plastic polymer types. The blanks comprised n = 13 MP particles of four MP polymer types with the most abundant being polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), then polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyfumaronitrile:styrene (FNS), with a mean ± SD of 10.4 ± 9.21, p = 0.293. This study reports the highest level of contamination control and reports unadjusted values alongside different contamination adjustment techniques. This is the first evidence of MP contamination of human vascular tissues. These results support the phenomenon of transport of MPs within human tissues, specifically blood vessels, and this characterisation of types and levels can now inform realistic conditions for laboratory exposure experiments, with the aim of determining vascular health impacts.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of microplastics in human saphenous vein tissue using μFTIR: A pilot study

et al. 2023

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“…In the recent years, hydrolysis, reduction, glycolysis, aminolysis, amination, − ,− and the other various techniques have been applied to introduce reactive functional groups on PET surfaces . Carboxylation is another technique which introduces carboxylic groups on the PET surface without any change in bulk and surface properties.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a linear and aromatic polyester that is the production of reaction between terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol. , PET composites have a wide range of industrial applications, including in packaging, construction, automotive parts, electronic equipment, and the textile industry . Also, this polymer is widely used in medical applications such as vascular prostheses, , heart valve sewing cuffs, , implantable sutures, and other surgical usage. − …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Functionalization and Modification of Polyethylene Terephthalate Polymer by AgCl Nanoparticles under Ultrasound Irradiation as Bactericidal

et al. 2022

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Polyethylene terephthalate polymer (PET) is widely used in diverse areas. In the current study, the surface of PET is modified in two steps in order to improve the quality. At first, the polymer was functionalized with carboxylic groups, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies were used to verify functionalization. Then, AgCl nanoparticles were synthesized on COOH functional groups on the surface of PET using a sonochemistry method by sequential dipping of the functionalized polymer in an alternating bath of potassium chloride and silver nitrate under ultrasonic irradiation. The effects of ultrasonic irradiation power, the number of dipping steps, and pH on the growth of AgCl nanoparticles as effective parameters on size and density of synthesized Ag nanoparticles were studied. The results of scanning electron microscopy studies showed that the size and density of AgCl nanoparticles under ultrasonic irradiation with a power of 100 W are better than those of AgCl nanoparticles under irradiation with a power of 30 W. Also, by 15 times dipping the polymer into the reagent solutions in pH = 9, the modified polymer with a greater number of nanoparticles with suitable size can be reached. Antibacterial properties of PET containing AgCl nanoparticles were investigated against six Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria species, and the results showed significant antibacterial activity, while functionalized PET did not have a significant effect on both types of bacteria.

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“…It is estimated that about 40% of total anesthesia waste is potentially recyclable, 3 with the majority of this waste (50 to 80%) accumulated during the case set-up phase before the patient enters the operating room (and thus is noncontaminated and potentially recyclable). 5,32 Despite this, one study reported that up to 92% of perioperative solid waste was improperly segregated and sent for unneeded biohazardous processing. 33 A survey of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA; Schaumburg, Illinois) further found that the majority of respondents (56%) incorrectly assumed items coming into contact with the patient should be disposed of as biohazardous waste.…”

Section: Recyclementioning

confidence: 99%

A Roadmap for Environmental Sustainability of Plastic Use in Anesthesia and the Perioperative Arena

et al. 2021

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The volume of recyclable polyethylene terephthalate plastic in operating rooms – A one-month prospective audit

Cited by 15 publications

References 4 publications

Detection of microplastics in human saphenous vein tissue using μFTIR: A pilot study

Detection of microplastics in human saphenous vein tissue using μFTIR: A pilot study

Functionalization and Modification of Polyethylene Terephthalate Polymer by AgCl Nanoparticles under Ultrasound Irradiation as Bactericidal

A Roadmap for Environmental Sustainability of Plastic Use in Anesthesia and the Perioperative Arena

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