Abstract
The use of lead salt heat stabilizers (LHSs) in plastics are restricted or even prohibited owing to their high toxicity. However, little information is available on its industrial metabolism. A dynamic material flow analysis of LHSs indicates that China consumed 2952 kt LHSs between 1958 and 2020. Moreover, at present, 1020 kt of these is being used in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products, 1007 kt is in landfills, and 681 kt is in the environment. For China to realize lead-free primary plastics by 2040, 2050, and 2060, the LHSs consumption should be reduced by at least 13 %, 10 %, and 9 % annually, respectively. Certain LHSs would gain new life with PVC recycling. Therefore, approximately 30 years would be required for LHSs to disappear completely after their use is stopped. With improvements in the plastic recycling rate, it is necessary to use chemical recycling and other methods to separate the hazardous additives such as LHSs and reduce the circulation of toxic substances.
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