Ethan Clarke
Plastic chemicals are released into the environment at every stage of a plastic product's life cycle, from their production to their disposal. During the manufacturing process, plastic fabrication, moulding, and other processing methods can release volatile chemicals into the air. Plastic products can also emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other chemicals into indoor air, especially when exposed to heat or sunlight. This process is known as off-gassing or volatilization. When plastic products break down into microplastics, they release toxic chemicals that can contaminate our food, water, and air, leading to potential health risks such as reduced fertility and increased cancer risk. Additionally, improper disposal methods such as burning plastics can release harmful fumes and particles into the atmosphere.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chemicals associated with plastics and plastic production | More than 13,000 |
| Groups of chemicals of major concern | Flame retardants, UV stabilizers, PFASs, phthalates, bisphenols, alkylphenols, biocides, certain metals and metalloids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, NIAS |
| Plastic chemicals released during the product's life cycle | Extraction of raw materials, production of polymers, manufacture of plastic products, use of plastic products, and end of life |
| Plastic chemicals released during disposal | Landfills, incineration, marine and terrestrial litter |
| Impact on human health | Exposure to toxic chemicals, neurodevelopmental/neurobehavioural disorders, impaired nervous system, reproductive and developmental problems, cancer, leukemia, genetic impacts |
| Impact on the environment | Chemical pollution in air, water, soil, and food; harm to marine life |
| Factors influencing chemical release from plastics | Pore size in the polymer, additive molecule size, co-migration, temperature, physical-chemical properties of the additive and environment |
| Mitigation strategies | Reducing plastic production, use, and disposal; improving waste management and coastal cleanups |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic breakdown and microplastics
Plastic breakdown occurs when large plastic materials are broken down into microplastics, or even smaller nanoplastics. This process is known as fragmentation and is influenced by factors such as sunlight, wind, and waves. Microplastics are plastic particulates that measure less than 5 mm in size and are not visible in water. They can float or sink, depending on their composition, and are widely dispersed across oceans and waterways.
The breakdown of plastics can occur through physical, biological, and photochemical degradation. Sunlight plays a significant role in photochemical degradation, as plastic absorbs ultraviolet (UV) radiation, leading to a process called photodegradation. This breakdown process can release toxic chemicals, which have been linked to various health issues, including reduced testosterone production and potential links to cancers.
Primary microplastics are small plastic pieces purposefully manufactured for use in cosmetics, facial cleansers, and air-blasting technology. Secondary microplastics, on the other hand, are derived from the physical breakdown of larger plastic debris, both in marine and terrestrial environments. This breakdown can be influenced by biological processes, such as the discovery of plastic-eating bacteria, which can accelerate the degradation process.
The slow degradation of plastics, which can take hundreds to thousands of years, allows for a high probability of ingestion by various organisms. Microplastics can accumulate in the bodies and tissues of marine life, impacting the entire food chain. They are often mistaken for food and can contain harmful chemicals, leading to pollution in natural ecosystems.
The presence of microplastics in the environment is a global issue, with an estimated 15 to 51 trillion individual pieces in the world's oceans as of 2014. The long degradation process of plastics contributes to their persistence in the environment, leading to widespread contamination. Efforts to reduce plastic pollution and develop faster degradation methods are ongoing.
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Leachates and landfills
Landfills are a major repository for plastic waste from households and industrial sectors. The plastic waste in landfills undergoes various treatment stages, including aerobic biodegradation, acid formation, and hydrolysis, which contribute to the breakdown of plastics into microplastics. This process releases harmful chemicals, such as phthalates, that can negatively affect human health and the environment.
Leachate, formed during the landfill treatment process, is a significant reservoir of microplastics. The microplastic concentration in raw landfill leachate can vary between 0 and 382 items per litre, depending on local plastic waste production and solid waste management practices. Polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene are the most common microplastic polymers found in landfill leachates. The predominance of light-coloured microplastics in leachates indicates long-term degradation of plastic waste.
The release of microplastics and associated chemicals from landfill leachate into the environment poses risks to human and ecological health. These toxic chemicals can be transported through water and air, affecting wildlife and human populations. The treatment of landfill leachate is crucial to mitigate the release of microplastics and reduce potential environmental and health risks. However, the current knowledge about the factors influencing the release of microplastics from landfills is limited, and further improvements in leachate treatment processes are necessary.
While some initiatives aim to reduce plastic usage, the production and use of plastics are likely to continue due to their convenience, durability, and low cost. It is estimated that over 335 million tons of plastic are produced annually, with a significant portion ending up in landfills. In 2018, landfills in the US alone received 27 million tons of plastic waste. Therefore, addressing the issue of plastic waste in landfills and the subsequent release of chemicals through leachates is essential to mitigate the environmental and health impacts of plastic pollution.
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Petrochemicals and fracking
Petrochemicals are derived from crude oil and fracked gas. Shale gas, a type of fracked gas, is extracted through fracking. Fracked gas liquids are then separated from the gas and refined into distinct products such as propane, butane, and ethane. Under high pressure and temperature, ethane is broken down into ethylene, the building block of most plastics.
The fracking boom has led to a plastic boom, with companies taking advantage of cheap shale gas and investing heavily in petrochemicals. This is particularly evident in the Gulf Coast region, where petrochemical facilities are concentrated. The industry is looking to offload a glut of cheap oil and fracked gas to increase its profit margins.
However, the production and use of plastics have severe environmental and health impacts. Toxic chemicals from discarded plastics can leach into groundwater. Plastic waste in the ocean also absorbs chemical pollutants from the surrounding waters and transports them as it moves with ocean currents. When animals ingest this plastic, the pollutants can leach into their stomachs, causing toxic effects.
Moreover, plastic additives, such as plasticizers, can be released into the environment during the service life of plastics or after their disposal in landfills. These additives have been linked to adverse health effects in humans, including reduced testosterone production and neurodevelopmental disorders.
The build-out of petrochemical facilities, particularly in low-income communities and communities of color, exacerbates climate pollution, plastic waste, and toxic chemical exposure. For instance, Louisiana's Formosa mega-complex is estimated to emit 13.6 million tons of carbon pollution annually. Additionally, nearly 12% of plastic waste is incinerated, releasing more greenhouse gases and dangerous toxins.
In conclusion, the link between petrochemicals and fracking, particularly in the context of plastic production, poses significant threats to human health and the environment. The expansion of the petrochemical industry, driven by the availability of cheap shale gas, contributes to plastic pollution and the release of toxic chemicals, underscoring the urgent need for global action to address these issues.
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Plasticizers and phthalates
Plasticizers are synthetic chemicals commonly used in polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-based products, food packaging, children's toys, medical devices, and adhesives. They are added to plastics to increase their flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity. Phthalates, a type of plasticizer, are the most common plasticizers and may account for more than 60% of polymers of PVC. They are derived from alcohols with 7-13 carbon atoms and are suitable for almost all flexible PVC applications.
Phthalates have been regarded as hazardous compounds due to numerous reports of their toxicological effects, including bioaccumulation potential, endocrine disruption, carcinogenicity, and developmental defects. For example, some phthalate plasticizers have been associated with reduced testosterone production. Due to health concerns, lower-molecular-weight phthalates are being replaced in many products in the United States, Canada, and the European Union. In the EU, the use of DEHP, a commonly used phthalate, is restricted and can only be used in specific cases with authorisation.
Alternative plasticizers (APs) have been introduced and mass-produced as substitutes for phthalates, including adipates, benzoates, phosphate esters, citrates, sebacates, terephthalates, trimellitates, and biobased alternatives. However, emerging reports indicate that APs contamination has been discovered in aquatic environments, sediments, biota, and food items. Similar to phthalates, APs are likely to persist in the environment as they are not chemically bonded to their products and can easily leach out.
The release of chemicals from plastics can occur during the entire life cycle of the plastic, including during the extraction of raw materials, production of polymers, manufacture of plastic products, use of plastic products, and at the end of their life. This release can occur during the service life of plastics or after their disposal, such as in landfills. The pore size in the polymer and the size of the additive molecule are important parameters influencing the release of chemicals.
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Toxicity and health risks
Plastic products contain a wide range of chemicals, many of which have been associated with adverse health effects. These chemicals can be released at various stages of a plastic product's life cycle, including during the extraction of raw materials, production of polymers, manufacturing, use, and disposal.
Health Risks
The health risks associated with exposure to plastic chemicals vary depending on the specific chemical and the duration and level of exposure. Some of the documented health risks include:
- Neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral disorders in children
- Impaired lung growth and increased risk of childhood cancer
- Infertility and disorders like ADHD
- Obesity and metabolic disease
- Prostate and mammary cancer
- Hormonal imbalances, including reduced testosterone production and altered sperm count in males
- Neurodevelopmental impairment
- Increased risk of leukemia, lymphoma, lung cancer, asthma, stroke, premature birth, and stillbirth in areas near plastic production facilities
Toxicity
The toxicity of plastic chemicals is a growing concern, with researchers detecting more than 1,000 chemicals in commonly used plastics, 80% of which were unknown. While the specific toxic effects of each chemical may not be fully understood, the potential for harm is significant. Some chemicals, such as bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), have been extensively studied and are known to have detrimental effects on human health and the environment.
Vulnerable Populations
Vulnerable populations, including children, women, and marginalized communities, are particularly susceptible to the toxic effects of plastic chemicals. Exposure during fetal development and early childhood can have severe and long-lasting consequences, impacting neurodevelopment and increasing the risk of chronic diseases later in life.
Addressing the Issue
Addressing the issue of plastic chemical toxicity requires a multi-faceted approach. Regulations and restrictions on the use of hazardous chemicals in plastic production are essential, as are efforts to reduce plastic waste and promote proper waste management. Additionally, further research and assessment of the safety of chemicals used in plastics can help improve our understanding of their potential health risks. Public education and initiatives to reduce plastic use and promote sustainable alternatives can also play a crucial role in mitigating the health risks associated with plastic chemical exposure.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic products contain chemical additives such as flame retardants, UV stabilizers, and colorants, which can be released into the environment during the product's life cycle, including during the extraction of raw materials, production of polymers, manufacture of plastic products, use of plastic products, and at the end of their life.
There are ten groups of chemicals that are of major concern due to their high toxicity and potential to migrate or be released from plastics, including specific flame retardants, certain UV stabilizers, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), phthalates, bisphenols, alkylphenols, biocides, certain metals and metalloids, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Exposure to plastics and their associated chemicals can have severe and long-lasting adverse effects on human health, including neurodevelopmental/neurobehavioral disorders, reduced testosterone production, reproductive and developmental problems, cancer, leukemia, and genetic impacts like low birth weight.
Plastics can contaminate the environment, including air, water, soil, and food, and enter the bodies of animals and human tissue. They can also absorb and transport chemical pollutants over great distances as they move with ocean currents, posing a threat to marine life.
Plastic chemicals come from a variety of sources, including the refining and manufacturing processes, which release emissions that contain toxic substances. The extraction of raw materials, production of polymers, and manufacture of plastic products can also release chemicals into the environment.
