Alexei Volkov
Plastic is a polymeric material composed of chains of polymers. The main ingredient in most plastic materials is a derivative of crude oil and natural gas. Plastics are usually classified by the chemical structure of the polymer's backbone and side chains. The chemical composition of plastics can vary, with some containing high-concern chemical additives that can have adverse effects on human health and the environment. Scientific data has shown that out of thousands of chemicals associated with plastics, many have hazardous properties, including the ability to accumulate in the body, disrupt hormones, reduce fertility, damage the nervous system, and cause cancer. The identities and concentrations of additives are generally not listed on products, and they can be difficult to remove during the recycling process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chemical composition | Polymers, additives, non-intentionally added substances, and impurities from manufacturing, use, and recycling |
| Polymer composition | Chains of carbon atoms, with or without oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur atoms |
| Additives | Chemicals blended into plastics to improve performance or appearance, such as toughness, flexibility, elasticity, colour, and fire resistance |
| Toxicity | Some plastics contain high-concern chemical additives that can have adverse effects on human health and the environment |
| Recycling | Additives in recycled plastics can pose risks due to their difficulty in removal and potential integration into new products |
| Production | The main ingredient in most plastic materials is derived from crude oil and natural gas |
| Common types | Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene, polypropylene, polyurethane, and polyethylene (PE) |
| Uses | Packaging, construction, textiles, consumer goods, transportation, electronics, optics, and machine parts |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic is made of polymers, often carbon chains with other atoms attached
- Additives are chemicals blended into plastics to improve performance or appearance
- Plastic additives can be toxic and have adverse effects on human health and the environment
- Plastic is composed of chemicals like polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), and polyurethane (PU)
- The first synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was made from phenol and formaldehyde resin
Plastic is made of polymers, often carbon chains with other atoms attached
Plastic is a polymeric material that can be moulded or shaped, usually by applying heat and pressure. This property of plasticity, often in combination with other properties such as low density, low electrical conductivity, transparency, and toughness, allows plastics to be made into a wide variety of products.
Most plastics contain organic polymers. These polymers are formed from chains of carbon atoms, with or without the attachment of oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, silicon, or chlorine atoms. These chains comprise many repeating units formed from monomers. Each polymer chain consists of several thousand repeating units. The backbone is the part of the chain that is on the main path, linking together a large number of repeat units.
To customise the properties of a plastic, different molecular groups called side chains hang from this backbone. They are usually attached to the monomers before the monomers themselves are linked together to form the polymer chain. The structure of these side chains influences the properties of the polymer. Plastics are usually classified by the chemical structure of the polymer's backbone and side chains. Important groups classified in this way include the acrylics, polyesters, silicones, polyurethanes, and halogenated plastics.
Commodity plastics, which are primarily chosen for their low cost and ease of manufacturing, fall into the category of plastics that are made up of polymers having only aliphatic (linear) carbon atoms in their backbone chains. All the commodity plastics listed above fall into this category. The structure of polypropylene can serve as an example; here, attached to every other carbon atom is a pendant methyl group (CH3).
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Additives are chemicals blended into plastics to improve performance or appearance
Plastic is a polymeric material that can be moulded or shaped, often by applying heat and pressure. This property of plasticity, when combined with other characteristics such as low density, low electrical conductivity, transparency, and toughness, allows plastics to be used in a wide range of products.
There are numerous types of additives used in plastics, and a randomly chosen plastic product generally contains around 20 additives. Some common additives include:
- Anti-aging additives: These widen the temperature range for plastics, increasing their life. They slow down the development of reactions caused by oxygen or peroxide.
- Anti-fog additives: These prevent the condensation of water droplets on surfaces.
- Plasticizers: These lower the glass transition temperature of a polymer, making it softer.
- Fillers: These make plastics cheaper and are usually made of chalk.
- Heat stabilizers: These prevent the decomposition of the polymer during processing by stabilising the plastic at high temperatures.
- Internal lubricants: These improve the melt flow of the material by lowering viscosity and heat dissipation.
- Light stabilizers: These inhibit undesirable chemical degradation caused by UV light exposure.
- Pigments: These create particular colours in plastics.
- Plasticisers: These make plastics softer and more flexible.
The use of additives in plastics can have adverse effects. A review by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) found that out of 3,377 chemicals potentially associated with plastic packaging, 68 were ranked as "highest for human health hazards" and 68 as "highest for environmental hazards". The challenge of waste management and pollution, caused by the potential of additives to contaminate soil, air, water, and food, has been widely documented.
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Plastic additives can be toxic and have adverse effects on human health and the environment
Plastic is a polymeric material composed of chains of polymers or molecules, which are moulded or shaped to form a wide variety of products. The most common type of plastic is commodity plastic, which is chosen for its low cost and ease of manufacturing. These plastics are mass-produced and used in everyday applications such as packaging, food containers, and household products.
Plastics contain many different chemical additives, which are added to improve their performance or appearance. These additives are one of the reasons why plastic is used so widely. However, these additives can also be toxic and have adverse effects on both human health and the environment.
A recent review by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) revealed that out of 3,377 chemicals potentially associated with plastic packaging, 68 were ranked as "highest for human health hazards" and 68 as "highest for environmental hazards". These toxic additives can be released from plastics at any stage of their lifecycle and can have several known health impacts, including endocrine disruption, which can lead to reproductive, growth, and cognitive impairment. They can also act as vessels for pathogens, increasing the spread of diseases. Other health conditions linked to additives include infertility, obesity, diabetes, prostate or breast cancer, thyroid problems, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
The adverse effects of plastic are particularly acute for children in the womb and young children. Women are also particularly susceptible to these toxic chemicals, with exposures potentially having severe or long-lasting adverse effects at several key periods of a woman's life and impacting future generations. In addition, vulnerable groups such as workers in the waste sector and marginalized communities are more exposed to plastic and chemical additives, raising concerns about human rights and environmental injustice.
Furthermore, plastic additives can freely leach into the environment, exerting significant ecotoxicity. Plastics persist in the environment for generations, fragmenting into microplastics that contaminate the atmosphere, water, and food chain. As a result, plastic additives pose a significant threat to the ecosystem.
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Plastic is composed of chemicals like polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), and polyurethane (PU)
Plastic is composed of a variety of chemicals, including polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), and polyurethane (PU). These synthetic polymer materials have a wide range of applications and have become integral to many industries.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a versatile plastic polymer with strong resistance to chemicals, sunlight, and oxidation from water. It was first synthesized in 1872 by German chemist Eugen Baumann and can be modified through chlorination to increase its chlorine content. PVC is commonly used in plumbing and drainage systems, replacing cast iron pipes, and is formed into flat sheets of various thicknesses and colours.
Polystyrene (PS) is another widely used synthetic polymer, known for its low cost and lightweight, water-resistant, and buoyant properties. It was first manufactured by the company I.G. Farben in the 1930s and is now commonly used for disposable plastic items such as cutlery, containers, and packaging materials. It is also used in biomedical research and science for Petri dishes, test tubes, and microplates.
Polyurethane (PU) is a polymer with advantages over early plastics. It was first made by Otto Bayer and his coworkers at IG Farben in 1937. The main ingredients used to make polyurethane are di- and tri-isocyanates and polyols. Polyurethane is used in a variety of applications, including flexible foam for mattresses and car seats, rigid foam for insulation, and elastomers for shoe soles.
These chemicals have improved various industries and daily life, but it is important to note that some plastics may contain high-concern chemical additives. Proper management and disposal of plastic products containing these chemicals are crucial to reduce their environmental impact.
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The first synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was made from phenol and formaldehyde resin
Plastics are polymeric materials that can be moulded or shaped, often under heat and pressure. They are composed of chains of polymers, which are formed from chains of carbon atoms, with or without oxygen, nitrogen, or sulphur atoms. These chains are made up of thousands of repeating units formed from monomers.
Bakelite's commercial success inspired the chemical industry to develop other synthetic plastics. It was named a National Historic Chemical Landmark by the American Chemical Society. The creation of Bakelite was revolutionary for the industry, which at the time derived most of its income from cloth dyes and explosives.
Bakelite's versatility has made it an attractive component in many industries, including transportation, building and construction, and oil and gas. It has low flame spread, low smoke generation, and low toxicity of any smoke released. It also has excellent corrosion resistance and improved industrial hygiene due to its low residual monomers.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic is a polymeric material made from long chains of carbon atoms, with or without oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur atoms. The main ingredient in most plastic material is a derivative from crude oil and natural gas.
Additives are chemicals blended into plastics to improve their performance or appearance. A randomly chosen plastic product generally contains around 20 additives. Additives may include antioxidants, stabilisers, colourants, and fire retardants.
Yes, all plastics are made of chemicals, including polymers and additives.
Yes, extensive scientific data has shown that many of the chemicals used in plastics are harmful to human health and the environment. A review by the US EPA found that out of 3,377 chemicals potentially associated with plastic packaging, 68 were ranked as "highest for human health hazards" and 68 as "highest for environmental hazards".
