Rare earth elements in plastics

Turner, Andrew; Scott, John W.; Green, Lee A.

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145405

Cited by 19 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Generally, REE concentrations and DFs were low (Σ 7 REEs: <DL-0.406 mg/kg, 5–29% DFs). In a previous study, Σ 16 REEs concentrations of up to 8 mg/kg were reported in new and old consumer plastic products, including food contact materials, cosmetic containers, and office equipment . The presence of REEs in plastics is suspected to come from recycled electrical and electronic equipment plasticsas a result, they have been suggested as proxies to track unintentional contamination from e-waste. ,, …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are limited studies that profile or report metal(loids) in recycled plastics materials. ,,, However, results from a previous study suggested that reprocessed plastics could contain higher concentrations than virgin plastics . Additionally, several metals such as Zn, Ni, Fe, and Cu, are suspected as NIAS during the use and recycling of plastic. , For these reasons, some studies petition that similar attention be paid to metal contamination in reprocessed or recycled plastics, as has been for organic chemicals and additives. ,, …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…71 The presence of REEs in plastics is suspected to come from recycled electrical and electronic equipment plastics�as a result, they have been suggested as proxies to track unintentional contamination from ewaste. 69,71,72 There are limited studies that profile or report metal(loids) in recycled plastics materials. 32,62,63,65 However, results from a previous study suggested that reprocessed plastics could contain higher concentrations than virgin plastics.…”

Section: Sample Extractionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…13,27 For these reasons, some studies petition that similar attention be paid to metal contamination in reprocessed or recycled plastics, as has been for organic chemicals and additives. 63,70,71 Effect of Types (Flakes vs Pellets) and Color (Colored vs White/Natural). Two-way ANOVA analysis with factors, form (pellets vs flakes), and color (colored vs white/naturals) showed that neither had an effect on the ΣOPEs, ΣBFRs, and Σelements concentrations (p > 0.4) (Figure 5).…”

Section: Sample Extractionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Target and Nontarget Screening of Organic Chemicals and Metals in Recycled Plastic Materials

Chibwe

Silva

Spencer

et al. 2023

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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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 (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.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Sample Extractionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Sample Extractionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Target and Nontarget Screening of Organic Chemicals and Metals in Recycled Plastic Materials

Chibwe

Silva

Spencer

et al. 2023

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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“…Certainly, from the conservation of raw materials and the avoidance of land contamination this is undoubtedly the case. However, the presence of flame retardants in children’s toys which have been manufactured from recycled plastic, probably from WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) (Turner et al, 2021 ), is an unanticipated consequence—though it could be argued that insufficient risk assessment had been applied to the process, and the consequences should have been foreseen.…”

Section: “Old” and “New” Contaminantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Old” and “new” contaminants and their management: learning from the past, looking to the future

Gibson¹,

Cundy

Kafwamfwa

et al. 2021

Environ Geochem Health

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Within the 50 year lifetime of the Society for Environmental Geochemistry and Health (SEGH), we have seen a number of contaminants transfer from being the wonder chemical of their day through to becoming current contaminants of concern. This is also true for a variety of emerging contaminants such as plastic microbeads, pharmaceutical residues, and fire retardant chemicals, amongst others. This thought piece discusses the risk associated with a range of these emerging contaminants, their global nature, how existing models and frameworks can be applied to deal with their impacts, and research and management gaps and challenges. Graphic Abstract

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Development of rare earth element and carbon fiber‐based filler for polyethylene—Mechanical and thermal performance

Kısmet,

Ayikurt

2024

J of Applied Polymer Sci

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In the present study, three fillers produced with carbon fiber powder (CFP) and rare earth elements were developed for low‐density polyethylene production. These fillers included CFP with a grain size of less than 400 microns and over 90% pure lanthanum and cerium oxides. Polyethylene was employed to ensure the thermoplasticity and homogeneity of the fillers. The fillers were mixed with the matrix material separately, first mechanically and then homogenously in the extruder, then the test bars were produced with an injection machine. In the mechanical tests, it was determined that the tensile strength of the test bars improved by ~20% and the elastic region increased due to the increasing amount of filler. Similarly, an improvement of about 40% in bending stress was realized. In addition, as the fluidity of the mixtures has improved, it has been possible to produce at lower temperatures and save energy in the production. Thermogravimetric analysis was conducted to determine the melting/crystallization temperatures and material losses in the compounds. The scanning electron microscope analysis showed that the fillers were irregularly distributed on the surface in parallel and perpendicular directions. In addition, x‐ray diffraction and energy dispersive spectroscopy analyses were performed on the surfaces.

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Rare earth elements in plastics

Cited by 19 publications

References 36 publications

Target and Nontarget Screening of Organic Chemicals and Metals in Recycled Plastic Materials

Target and Nontarget Screening of Organic Chemicals and Metals in Recycled Plastic Materials

“Old” and “new” contaminants and their management: learning from the past, looking to the future

Development of rare earth element and carbon fiber‐based filler for polyethylene—Mechanical and thermal performance

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