Back to Search
Start Over
Target and Nontarget Screening of Organic Chemicals and Metals in Recycled Plastic Materials.
- Source :
-
Environmental science & technology [Environ Sci Technol] 2023 Feb 28; Vol. 57 (8), pp. 3380-3390. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Feb 14. - Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Increased demand for recycling plastic has prompted concerns regarding potential introduction of hazardous chemicals into recycled goods. We present a broad screening of chemicals in 21 plastic flake and pellet samples from Canadian recycling companies. From target analysis, the organophosphorus ester flame retardants and plasticizers exhibited the highest detection frequencies (DFs) (5-100%) and concentrations (<DL-4,700 ng/g), followed by brominated/chlorinated flame retardants (<DL-2,150 ng/g, 5-76% DFs). The perfluoroalkyl acids were least detected at the lowest concentrations (<0.01-0.70 ng/g, 5-19% DFs). Using nontargeted analysis, 217 chemicals were identified as Level 1 (authentic standard) or 2 (library match), with estimated individual concentrations up to 1030 ng/g (highest: 2-hexyl hydroxy benzoate, 100% DF). Total (Σ60) element concentrations were between 0.005 and 2,980 mg/kg, with highest concentrations for calcium (2,980 mg/kg), sodium (617 mg/kg), and iron (156 mg/kg). Collectively >280 chemicals were detected in recycled plastic pellets and flakes, suggesting potential incorporation into recycled goods. Individual concentrations indicate unintentional trace contamination following European Union threshold limits for recycled granules (500 mg/kg) and waste plastic flakes (1,000 mg/kg), although do not reflect toxicological thresholds, if any. Our study highlights that while recycling addresses sustainability goals, additional screening of goods and products made from recycled plastics is needed to fully document potentially hazardous chemicals and exposure.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1520-5851
- Volume :
- 57
- Issue :
- 8
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Environmental science & technology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 36787488
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c07254