Recycling of plastic waste: Presence of phthalates in plastics from households and industry

Abstract

Plastics recycling has the potential to substitute virgin plastics partially as a source of raw materials in plastic product manufacturing. Plastic as a material may contain a variety of chemicals, some potentially hazardous. Phthalates, for instance, are a group of chemicals produced in large volumes and are commonly used as plasticisers in plastics manufacturing. Potential impacts on human health require restricted use in selected applications and a need for the closer monitoring of potential sources of human exposure. Although the presence of phthalates in a variety of plastics has been recognised, the influence of plastic recycling on phthalate content has been hypothesised but not well documented. In the present work we analysed selected phthalates (DMP, DEP, DPP, DiBP, DBP, BBzP, DEHP, DCHP and DnOP) in samples of waste plastics as well as recycled and virgin plastics. DBP, DiBP and DEHP had the highest frequency of detection in the samples analysed, with 360μg/g, 460μg/g and 2700μg/g as the maximum measured concentrations, respectively. Among other, statistical analysis of the analytical results suggested that phthalates were potentially added in the later stages of plastic product manufacturing (labelling, gluing, etc.) and were not removed following recycling of household waste plastics. Furthermore, DEHP was identified as a potential indicator for phthalate contamination of plastics. Close monitoring of plastics intended for phthalates-sensitive applications is recommended if recycled plastics are to be used as raw material in production.

Quality Assessment and Circularity Potential of Recovery Systems for Household Plastic Waste

“…As very few studies and data related to chemical contamination of plastic waste exist (Pivnenko et al. ; Ballesteros‐Gómez et al. ; Whitt et al.…”

“…All MRF outputs from the 84 scenarios were classified into one of the three quality levels. As very few studies and data related to chemical contamination of plastic waste exist (Pivnenko et al 2016;Ballesteros-Gómez et al 2014;Whitt et al 2012;Riber et al 2009;Ernst et al 2000;Huber and Franz 1997), it was not feasible to include chemical contamination in the assessment. Therefore, the classification was carried out based solely on the presence of physical impurities, including both non-plastic and non-target polymer impurities.…”

Evaluation of the presence of potential hazardous substances from plastic and textile fibre recycling

“…Di-iso-butyl phthalate (DiBP), di-(ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) are LMW phthalates found in the majority of plastics (Pivnenko, 2016). DEHP is the dominant phthalate found in relatively high concentrations (up to 2700 mg/kg) in the majority of the plastic samples.…”

“…DEHP is the dominant phthalate found in relatively high concentrations (up to 2700 mg/kg) in the majority of the plastic samples. Several sources of plastics were evaluated for their phthalate content (Pivnenko et al, 2016). The results showed that virgin and recycled industrial plastics (group 1) have similar phthalate content.…”

Effects of Processing Methods, DOP Amount and Filler Content on the Mechanical Properties of Recycled Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Composites

“…In another study, Fukushima et al (2010) investigated study on dechlorination technology for municipal waste plastics containing polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene terephthalate. Pivnenko et al (2016) studied recycling of plastic waste: presence of phthalates in plastics from households and industry. There is a need for further studies on waste thermoplastics recycling.…”