Maya Ellison
Plastic is everywhere, from grocery bags to vinyl flooring, and its use has skyrocketed due to its convenience, low cost, and versatility. However, this has led to serious environmental and health concerns, with plastic pollution and the toxic chemicals it contains causing severe and long-lasting adverse effects. Scientific data has identified over 13,000 chemicals associated with plastics, with about 7,000 substances exhibiting hazardous properties. These chemicals, such as phthalates and flame retardants, can leach into our food, escape into indoor air, and contaminate human placentas and breast milk. With plastic production projected to exceed 1.2 billion tons by 2060, urgent action is needed to address the chemical-related issues of plastic pollution and transition to a toxic-free and sustainable future.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of chemicals associated with plastics | Over 13,000 |
| Number of substances with hazardous properties | More than 3,200 |
| Chemicals of major concern | Flame retardants, UV stabilizers, PFASs, phthalates, bisphenols, alkylphenols, biocides, certain metals and metalloids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, NIAS |
| Impact on health | Can cause neurodevelopmental/neurobehavioral-related disorders, reduce fertility, damage the nervous system, cause cancer |
| Impact on the environment | Polluted oceans, overburdened communities, rising greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, toxic plastic waste |
| Commonly used in | Grocery bags, vinyl flooring, food packaging, consumer goods, toys, electronics, building materials, packaging, food containers, household products |
| Chemicals used in manufacturing | Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, chlorine, sulfur |
| Plastic types | Thermoplastics, thermosets, conductive polymers, biodegradable plastics, engineering plastics, elastomers |
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What You'll Learn
The dangers of toxic chemicals in plastic products
Plastic products have become an integral part of our daily lives, from grocery bags to vinyl flooring, owing to their lightweight, low cost, and versatility. However, the toxic chemicals used in their production pose significant dangers to both human health and the environment.
Plastics are made up of various chemicals, including polymers, additives to enhance specific properties, and non-intentionally added substances introduced during manufacturing, use, and recycling. Over 13,000 chemicals have been associated with plastics, and about 7,000 substances have been identified as having potential adverse effects. Of these, more than 3,200 chemicals exhibit hazardous properties, including persistence, mobility, bioaccumulation, hormone disruption, reduced fertility, nervous system damage, and carcinogenicity. Women and children are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of these chemicals, which can have long-lasting consequences on health and development.
Common toxic chemicals found in plastic products include phthalates, flame retardants, PFAS, vinyl, styrene, and bisphenols. These chemicals can be released during the entire life cycle of plastic products, from raw material extraction to disposal. For example, toxic chemicals can escape from plastic casings in electronics, polluting indoor air and exposing families to harmful substances through dust. Additionally, the production and incineration of plastics release hazardous chemicals like benzene and ethylbenzene, contributing to air pollution and endangering communities, workers, and the environment.
The widespread use of plastics has resulted in plastic pollution, with toxic chemicals leaching into food, escaping into indoor air, and contaminating oceans. This has led to rising greenhouse gas emissions, polluted communities, and adverse health effects in humans. To address these issues, organizations like Toxic-Free Future are advocating for safer alternatives, influencing policy changes, and raising awareness about the dangers of toxic chemicals in plastic products.
It is important for consumers to be aware of the potential presence of high-concern chemicals in plastic products and to make informed choices. While reading ingredient lists on product labels may not always provide information about the chemicals in the plastic itself, requesting this information from manufacturers or retailers is a recommended step. Additionally, transitioning to safer materials, such as glass bottles instead of plastic ones, can help reduce exposure to toxic chemicals and create healthier, more resilient communities.
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The impact of plastic chemicals on human health
Plastic is a synthetic, organic polymer made from fossil fuels, such as gas and petroleum. It has become an integral part of modern life due to its lightweight, low cost, and versatility. However, the widespread use of plastic, especially single-use plastic, has led to a global plastic crisis with devastating impacts on the environment and human health.
Plastics are made of chemicals, including polymers and additives to enhance desired properties such as strength, softness, colour, or fire resistance. More than 13,000 chemicals have been identified in association with plastics, with about 7,000 substances linked to potential adverse health effects. Of these, over 3,200 chemicals are known to have hazardous properties. These chemicals can be released from plastic during its entire life cycle, from the extraction of raw materials to production, manufacturing, use, recycling, and disposal.
The toxic chemical additives and pollutants found in plastics pose significant risks to human health. They can infiltrate the human body through ingestion, inhalation, skin contact, or even from the environment we live in. Vulnerable groups, including children, women, and marginalized communities, are particularly susceptible to the harmful effects of these chemicals. Exposure during fetal development and early childhood can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders, increased risk of prematurity, birth defects, impaired lung growth, and childhood cancer. The impact on women's health includes endometriosis and fertility issues. Men's fertility is also affected by exposure to these toxic chemicals.
Additionally, plastics have been linked to respiratory diseases, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Certain forms of plastic, such as phthalates, impact the cardiovascular system by altering heart rate variability and increasing blood pressure, contributing to the risk of heart disease. Plastics also cause disruptions to the endocrine system, leading to hormone imbalances. Furthermore, several chemicals used in plastic production are known to be carcinogenic, causing various cancers.
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Plastic additives and their effects
Plastic additives are substances added to polymers to enhance their properties and prolong their life. They make plastics safer, cleaner, tougher, and more colourful. Additives can be used to prevent the decomposition of polymers during processing, improve shock absorption and impact resistance, increase flowability, and inhibit undesirable chemical degradation from UV light exposure.
However, the use of additives in plastics has also been associated with adverse effects on human health and the environment. Scientific data has identified hazardous properties in thousands of substances associated with plastics, including their ability to persist and accumulate in the environment, their potential to disrupt hormones, their impact on fertility, their neurotoxicity, and their carcinogenicity. Women and children are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of these chemicals, which can have long-lasting consequences on health and development.
The release of additives from plastics during their life cycle is a significant concern. Additives can contaminate soil, air, water, and food, leading to human exposure through various pathways. Inappropriate disposal and recycling practices can further contribute to the undesirable release of additives, emphasizing the importance of sound waste management practices.
The complex blend of additives in plastics poses challenges for recycling processes and the safety and quality of recycled materials. The presence of certain additives can impair recycling and hinder the transition to a circular economy. Furthermore, the production and consumption of plastics have increased globally, resulting in a corresponding rise in the production and diversity of plastic-associated chemicals.
Addressing the issues associated with plastic additives requires urgent action on a global scale. The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) has recognized the devastating impacts of plastic pollution and is working towards developing an international legally binding instrument to address this issue. Scientific research and regulatory actions are also crucial in mitigating the potential harms associated with plastic additives.
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The chemical composition of plastic and its performance
Plastic is a synthetic or semi-synthetic material composed primarily of polymers. The chemical composition of plastic influences its performance. Plastics are classified by the chemical processes used in their synthesis, such as condensation, polyaddition, and cross-linking. They can also be classified by their physical properties, including hardness, density, tensile strength, thermal resistance, and glass transition temperature. The chemical composition of plastic determines its performance characteristics, such as rigidity, flexibility, and heat resistance.
The backbone of most everyday polymers is formed by carbon and hydrogen. Carbon plays a major role in the transformation of plastic by bonding with other elements to form different types of plastics. For example, carbon bonds with hydrogen, oxygen, or chlorine to create unique structures. The number of atoms in these structures can vary from three, as in polyethylene, to up to 38.
Oxygen is another critical chemical used in plastic manufacturing. Along with carbon and sometimes hydrogen, oxygen helps create the basic chemicals used in plastic production, such as hydrocarbons. Oxygen imparts strength and durability to the final product. Additionally, oxygen plays a role in forming strong adhesives and impact-resistant coatings.
Nitrogen, while less commonly associated with plastic manufacturing, is also important. During the molding process, nitrogen displaces oxygen to prevent discoloration, which is crucial for clear plastics like polycarbonate. Nitrogen acts as a protective barrier, preserving the plastic from unwanted reactions with air.
Plastics also contain additives, which are chemicals added to enhance specific properties. Additives can make plastics stronger, softer, colourful, or fire-resistant. Some common additives include phthalates, flame retardants, UV stabilizers, and bisphenols. However, many of these additives are toxic and can leach into food, escape into indoor air, and contaminate the environment.
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The chemical processes used in plastic synthesis
Plastic is derived from natural, organic materials such as cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt, and crude oil. Crude oil is a complex mixture of thousands of compounds and needs to be processed before it can be used to synthesise plastic. The production of plastics begins with the distillation of crude oil in an oil refinery. This separates the heavy crude oil into groups of lighter components, called fractions. Each fraction is a mixture of hydrocarbon chains (chemical compounds made up of carbon and hydrogen), which differ in terms of the size and structure of their molecules. One of these fractions, naphtha, is the crucial compound for the production of plastics.
Two main processes are used to produce plastics: polymerisation and polycondensation. In a polymerisation reactor, monomers such as ethylene and propylene are linked together to form long polymer chains. Hydrocarbon monomers are then linked together by chemical polymerisation mechanisms to produce polymers. This process generates thick, viscous substances as resins, which are used to make plastic products. The raw materials molecules are converted into monomers such as ethylene, propylene, and butene. All these monomers comprise double bonds so that the carbon atoms can subsequently react to form polymers.
The cracking of hydrocarbons is the main process that breaks down the mixture of complex hydrocarbons into simpler low relative molecular mass alkenes/alkanes (plus by-products) by means of high temperature and pressure. Cracking can be performed in two ways: steam cracking and catalytic cracking. Steam cracking uses high temperatures and pressure to break the hydrocarbons' long chains without a catalyst, while catalytic cracking adds a catalyst that allows the process to occur at lower temperatures and pressures.
Plastics can be classified by the chemical processes used in their synthesis, such as condensation, polyaddition, and cross-linking. They can also be classified by their physical properties, including hardness, density, tensile strength, thermal resistance, and glass transition temperature. Plastics can be further classified by their resistance and reactions to various substances and processes, such as exposure to organic solvents, oxidation, and ionizing radiation.
Additives are chemicals blended into plastics to improve their performance or appearance. Plastics are composed of chains of polymers, and many different chemicals are used as plastic additives. A randomly chosen plastic product generally contains around 20 additives. The identities and concentrations of additives are generally not listed on products.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastics are composed primarily of polymers, which are formed from chains of carbon atoms, with or without the attachment of oxygen, nitrogen or sulphur atoms. Other chemicals in plastic include additives to make products stronger, softer, colourful or fire-resistant, and non-intentionally added substances such as impurities from manufacturing, use and recycling.
Toxic chemicals in plastic include phthalates, flame retardants, styrene, vinyl, PFAS, and antimony.
Chemicals in plastic can have severe or long-lasting adverse effects on human health, especially during fetal development and in children. Exposures can cause neurodevelopmental/neurobehavioural-related disorders, reduce fertility, damage the nervous system and/or cause cancer. They can also impact the environment, with plastic pollution leading to rising greenhouse gas emissions and toxic plastic waste.
