Polystyrene as Hazardous Household Waste

Farrelly, Trisia; Shaw, Ian C.

doi:10.5772/65865

Cited by 42 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Nevertheless, there was also a considerable amount of particles identified as copolymer PP/PE, which occurs as an industrial way to recycle both PE and PP by giving origin to other high demanding applications and expanding market options (Graziano et al, 2019), as containers, outdoor decking or sack bags (Aumnate et al, 2019). Polystyrene (PS) particles, can be related to fragmentation of disposable cutlery, cups and Styrofoam R items (expanded and extruded PS, EPS and XPS), which are currently used in fishing activities, in food trays and other disposable items (Farrelly and Shaw, 2017). A note should be mentioned regarding the presence of kaolin in PS and copolymer PP/PE particles, which is used as a filler to improve the strength of the plastic material.…”

Section: Polymer Diversitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution Patterns of Microplastics in Seawater Surface at a Portuguese Estuary and Marine Park

Rodrigues

Antunes

Otero

et al. 2020

Front. Environ. Sci.

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Measuring local levels of marine pollution by microplastics (MP) and identifying potential sources in coastal areas is essential to evaluate the associated impacts to environment and biota. The accumulation of floating MP at the sea surface is of great concern as the neustonic habitat consists of a feeding ground for primary consumers (including filter-feeders) and active predators, which makes these organisms a relevant via of MP input into the marine trophic chain. Here, a baseline evaluation of MP accumulation at the sea surface was conducted with a neuston net (335 μm mesh) at the Arrábida coastal area, in Portugal. The study site encompasses a marine protected area and an estuary, both under strong anthropogenic pressures due to multiple activities taking place. A short-term investigation on local spatiotemporal distribution, concentration and composition of MP was performed for the first time, through the monthly collection (summer 2018 to winter 2019) of samples at 6 stations. All the neuston samples contained MP and their mean concentration was 0.45 ± 0.52 items m−3 (mean ± SD). Both the averaged MP:neuston and MP:ichthyoplankton ratios were higher in December, when concentrations of organisms decreased. Temporal distribution patterns followed expected trends, as MP concentration was clearly higher in winter months due to precipitation and runoff. Although mean MP concentrations did not vary significantly between sampling stations, there was a spatial distribution of MP in relation to particle shape and size. Fragments were the most abundant shape and MP belonging to 1–2 mm size class were dominant. Amongst a diversity of 10 polymers identified by FTIR analysis, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and copolymer PP/PE were the most abundant. Potential links between local sources/activities and the different polymers were suggested. Altogether, the information provided in this study aims to raise awareness among the identified sectors and consequently to act toward the prevention of MP inputs in the region.

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Section: Polymer Diversitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution Patterns of Microplastics in Seawater Surface at a Portuguese Estuary and Marine Park

Rodrigues

Antunes

Otero

et al. 2020

Front. Environ. Sci.

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“…3(c) displays the irregular, inhomogeneous surface of the materials after treatment using nitrogen plasma, indicating destruction of the materials. Farrelly and Shaw (2017) confirmed that Styrofoam consists of vinyl benzene. In this study, carbon in the form of vinyl benzene was detected in the PSF waste before treatment.…”

Section: Characterization Analysis Of Psfmentioning

confidence: 62%

Hydrogen and Methane Production from Styrofoam Waste Using an Atmospheric-pressure Microwave Plasma Reactor

Sanito

Chen

You

et al. 2020

Aerosol Air Qual. Res.

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Polystyrene foam (PSF), which is widely used in oyster farming in Taiwan, generates approximately 120,000-200,000 pieces of floating waste annually. The issues related to processing this waste, however, include the financial cost, incinerator clogs, human exposure to carcinogenic and non-biodegradable components, and potential debris, which threatens the seashore. In this study, we obtained methane (CH 4) and hydrogen (H 2), two crucial gases in power generation, by treating PSF waste with an atmospheric-pressure microwave plasma reactor. Substituting argon with nitrogen as the carrier gas and increasing the microwave power (1200 W) produced a higher concentration of H 2 (4739 ppm) but a lower one of CH 4 (less than 300 ppm). Treating a larger quantity of waste (0.2 g) resulted in CH 4 and H 2 levels of 19,657 ppm and 440 ppm, respectively. SEM-EDX and XRD testing confirmed the transformation of the PSF structure and a reduction in carbon (C) content in the final residue. This research demonstrates how solid waste can be recycled into valuable gases by applying plasma technology.

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“…For instance, addition of graphite can improve insulation properties of construction boards, various pigments may be employed to impart a range of different colors, and TiO2 may be added to assist bacterial decomposition or as a pigment to provide a high refractive index (13;45). Plasticizers and biocides are not generally used in foamed PS but the stabilizer and antioxidant tris(4-nonylphenyl) phosphite, a source of the endocrine-disrupting nonylphenols, is sometimes added (46). Traces of other organic additives in EPS have also been mentioned or implied but have not been identified (47;48).…”

Section: Composition and Chemical Modification Of Foamed Ps In The Marine Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Styrene monomer released from PS is highly reactive towards cell systems and causes widespread metabolic damage, raising concerns about its migration from foamed PS packaging into food (46). In the environment, however, the monomer is rapidly volatilized and readily degraded and is not considered to bioaccumulate (64).…”

Section: Styrenementioning

confidence: 99%

Foamed Polystyrene in the Marine Environment: Sources, Additives, Transport, Behavior, and Impacts

Turner

2020

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Foamed polystyrene (PS) that may be either expanded (EPS) or extruded (XPS) is a rigid, lightweight insulating thermoplastic that has a variety of uses in the consumer, packaging, construction, and marine sectors. The properties of the material also result in waste that is readily generated, dispersed, and fragmented in the environment. This review focuses on foamed PS in the marine setting, including its sources, transport, degradation, acquisition of contaminants, ingestion by animals, and biological impacts arising from the mobilization of chemical additives. In the ocean, foamed PS is subject to wind-assisted transport and fracturing via photolytic degradation. The material may also act as a substrate for rafting organisms while being exposed to elevated concentrations of natural and anthropogenic surface-active chemicals in the sea surface microlayer.In the littoral setting, fragmentation is accentuated by milling in the swash zone and abrasion when beached, with wind transport leading to the temporary burial of significant quantities of material.Ingestion of EPS and XPS has been documented for a variety of marine animals, but principally those that feed at the sea surface or use the material as a habitat. As well as risking injuries due to gastrointestinal blockage, ingestion of foamed PS exposes animals to harmful chemicals, and of greatest concern in this respect is the presence of the historical, but still recycled, flame-retardant, hexabromocyclododecane. Because foamed PS is particularly difficult to retrieve as a constituent of marine litter, means of reducing its presence and impacts will rely on the elimination of processes that generate foamed waste, modification of current storage and disposal practices, and the development of more durable and sustainable alternatives.

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Polystyrene as Hazardous Household Waste

Cited by 42 publications

References 31 publications

Distribution Patterns of Microplastics in Seawater Surface at a Portuguese Estuary and Marine Park

Distribution Patterns of Microplastics in Seawater Surface at a Portuguese Estuary and Marine Park

Hydrogen and Methane Production from Styrofoam Waste Using an Atmospheric-pressure Microwave Plasma Reactor

Foamed Polystyrene in the Marine Environment: Sources, Additives, Transport, Behavior, and Impacts

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