Risk Assessment of Agricultural Plastic Films Based on Release Kinetics of Phthalate Acid Esters

Abstract

Plastic films have become an integral part of fruit and vegetable production systems, but their release of phthalate acid esters (PAEs) is a threat to human health. The release kinetics of PAEs and measures of risk are still not well understood. We investigated 50 agricultural films, with concentrations ranging from 2.59 to 282,000 mg kg–1. The seven commercially available film types included were polyvinylchloride (PVC), metallocene polyethylene (mPE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyolefin (PO), and three mulch films. Bis­(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) was detected in most of films, and its release fitted well into the first-order kinetic model. The release rate of DEHP was negatively related to the film thickness. The potential carcinogenic risks of DEHP in the air of six kinds of plastic greenhouses to human health were estimated. We found that the carcinogenic risks associated with PVC and mPE greenhouse films warrant greater attention. Though EVA, PO greenhouse, and mulch films were lower risk, we advise keeping plastic greenhouses well ventilated during the first month of use to reduce direct human exposure to volatile PAEs.

Calculation and Experimental Validation of a Novel Approach Using Solubility Parameters as Indicators for the Extraction of Additives in Plastics

“…PAEs were another kind of additives widely used in plastics with different physical−chemical properties. 39,40 Similar results were obtained (R 2 > 0.99), indicating the wide applicability of the developed approach.…”

“…They were also listed as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) as well as BDE-209. , The results in Figure illustrated the developed approach worked well for these two congeners with R 2 > 0.89. PAEs were another kind of additives widely used in plastics with different physical–chemical properties. , Similar results were obtained ( R 2 > 0.99), indicating the wide applicability of the developed approach.…”

Agricultural Plastic Pollution in China: Generation of Plastic Debris and Emission of Phthalic Acid Esters from Agricultural Films

“…Considering that the agricultural film is mainly used as a mulching film and greenhouse film in China, the difference between the amount of agricultural film and mulching film was calculated to represent the amount of the greenhouse film. 29 The greenhouse film coverage area for each province was derived from the method proposed by Wang et al, 30 whose detailed calculation can be found in the Supporting Information (Text S1). In 2019, we had collected 20 types of agricultural films from 18 representative provinces within China.…”

Aconitic Acid Recovery from Renewable Feedstock and Review of Chemical and Biological Applications

“…However, many of these commonly used plasticizers are of environmental concern. For instance, plastic greenhouse films produced with PAEs are of particular concern because of their widespread use in commercial food production across the globe [ 29 ]. Generally, PAEs are not covalently bound to polymers and gradually disperse to pollute the air, soil, and fruits or vegetables produced in the greenhouse [ 30 , 31 ].…”