Addition Of Plasticizer Research Articles

Microplastic ingestion and plastic additive detection in pelagic squid and fish: Implications for bioindicators and plastic tracers in open oceanic food webs

The ubiquitous presence of microplastics (MPs) in the ocean represents a potential threat to marine organisms, with poorly understood long-term adverse effects, including exposure to plastic additives. The present study investigated the ingestion of MPs in two epipelagic fish species (Trachurus picturatus and Scomber colias) and three pelagic squid species (Loligo vulgaris, Ommastrephes caroli and Sthenoteuthis pteropus) from an open oceanic region of the Northeast Atlantic. Seven phthalate esters (PAEs) were also analysed in the organisms' tissue, and the potential correlation between PAEs concentrations and ingested MPs was investigated. Seventy-two fish and 20 squid specimens were collected and analysed. MPs were found in the digestive tract of all species and in the squid species' gills and ink sacs. The highest occurrence of MPs was in the stomach of S. colias (85 %) and the lowest in the stomach and ink sac of O. caroli and L. vulgaris (12 %). Most of the particles identified (>90 %) were fibres. Among all the ecological and biological factors considered (dietary preferences, season, body size, total weight, liver weight, hepatosomatic index and gastrosomatic index), only gastrosomatic index (GSI) and season were significant predictors of MPs ingestion in fish species, with a greater likelihood of ingestion in the cold season and in specimens with higher GSI values (i.e. higher feeding intensity). Four PAEs (DEP, DIBP, BBP, DEHP) were detected in all the species analysed, with average ∑PAEs concentrations ranging between 10.31 and 30.86 ng/g (wet weight). DIBP was positively correlated with ingested MPs, suggesting this compound might represent a “plastic tracer”. This study looks into the problem of MPs ingestion for pelagic species in an open oceanic region, highlighting the most suitable bioindicators and providing essential insights into the factors that may influence ingestion rates. Additionally, the detection of PAEs in all species indicates the need for further research on the contamination sources, the effects of these chemicals on marine organisms, and the potential risks to human health through seafood consumption.

Hazardous properties of mineral and organo-mineral plastic additives and management of hazardous plastics

Many plastic additives are mineral or organo-mineral substances having functions as pigments, heat stabilizers, flame retardants, process adjuvants and the like. Are additivated plastics hazardous when they become waste? Data from the Plastic Additives Initiative, a joint industry and EU effort, was used, along with substance hazard statements from the ECHA website and hazard properties from the waste classification. 20 elements of 91 substances, namely Al, B, Ba, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, F, I, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, Pr, Sb, Sn, Ti, V and Zn were selected, and their additives used in 11 polymers, considered. Of the 91 substances selected, 57 are non-hazardous or are hazardous but used at too low concentration to render the plastic hazardous when it becomes waste. 34 substances (= 37% of 91) are hazardous and make plastics hazardous as waste. These are mainly heat stabilizers (for PVC), or pigments and flame retardants (for all polymers). The sorting of these plastics by the mineral concentration of their additives with online XRF is theoretically achievable. With data from previous papers, 63 additives (= 27% of 233) make plastic hazardous. The brominated flame retardants are the less documented. Only essential use should be encouraged for pigments. Waste management today should focus on turning waste into non-waste, not waste leakage. With occupational safety and health regulations during processing, and with product regulations during its second life, the material should be managed as another hazardous or non-hazardous (virgin) raw material, and given end-of-waste status when it enters the loop.

Short- and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins in T-shirts and socks

The short- and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs and MCCPs) are complex mixtures of persistent compounds used mainly as plastic additives. They can have a negative impact on human health as they are suspected of disrupting the endocrine system and being carcinogenic, which is why monitoring their presence in the human environment is desirable.Clothing was selected for this study because they are produced in large quantities worldwide and the final products are worn for long periods throughout the day, in direct contact with human skin. The concentrations of CPs in this type of sample have not been sufficiently reported.We determined SCCPs and MCCPs in 28 samples of T-shirts and socks by gas chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry in negative chemical ionisation mode (GC–NCI–HRMS). CPs were found above the limits of quantification in all samples, with concentrations ranging from 33.9 to 5940 ng/g (mean 1260 ng/g, median 417 ng/g). The samples with a substantial proportion of synthetic fibres contained higher CP concentrations (22 times higher mean for SCCPs and 7 times higher mean for MCCPs) than garments composed exclusively of cotton.Finally, the effect of washing in the washing machine was investigated. The individual samples behaved differently: (i) excessively emitting CPs; (ii) being contaminated; (iii) retaining the original CP levels. The CP profiles also changed for some samples (with a substantial proportion of synthetic fibres and samples composed exclusively of cotton).

Cetaceans as Bioindicators to Assess Alkylphenol Exposure and Hormone-Disrupting Effects in the South China Sea.

Alkylphenols (APs) represent one of the highest exposure levels among endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the South China Sea (SCS) due to their extensive use as plastic additives. The concerns about EDCs, including APs, have been reiterated since the surge in plastic waste from the COVID-19 response, but far less is known about the response of AP loadings in the SCS to emerging public policies and activities, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we used cetaceans as bioindicators for monitoring two major APs, 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) and 4-tert-octylphenol (4-t-OP), in nine stranded cetacean species (n = 110) in the SCS between 2004 and 2021. Prior to the COVID-19, APs loads showed decreasing temporal trends for finless porpoises and humpback dolphins, most likely due to China's restrictions on AP use or a shift in dominant prey species. Unexpectedly, AP loads continued to decline after the COVID-19 outbreak, probably due to a temporal-lag response of marine AP fluxes to the pandemic. The health risk assessments based on hormone biomarkers and toxicity thresholds suggest the potential adverse effects of APs on cetaceans, while recent declines in APs, though limited, may mitigate the detrimental impacts.

Enrichment and quantification of 18 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from intermediates for plastics production by a generic liquid chromatography column switching.

The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentration in plastic products is regulated in (European Union) No. 1272/2013. However, this only covers the end products and not intermediate substances. Therefore, a generic method was developed to analyze the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons listed by the Environmental Protection Agency and the European Union. This method is based on direct large volume injection from solutions of plastic additives followed by liquid chromatography coupled to fluorescence detection. The additives Irganox 1010, ureido methacrylate, and cetyl methacrylate 1618F were used as examples for method development. Two serially coupled columns allowed the matrix to be removed on the first column and the analytes to be separated on the second column. The columns were connected by an intermediate valve. The valve allowed the matrix to be diverted after the first column and water to be dosed upstream of the second column via an additional pump. This allowed samples in aqueous or organic media to be focused at the column head. An injection volume of 100μl and online aqueous dilution of 1:3 led to a limit of detection below 1ng/ml for 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Moreover, concentrations between 1.6 and 10.3ng/ml were found in the three plastic additives.

Performance of recycled Bakelite plastic waste as eco-friendly aggregate in the concrete beams

The use of plastic waste as a partial or complete replacement for coarse aggregate in concrete mixtures has been studied in recent years. However, the quality and quantity of coarse plastic waste particles have been a challenge. This study aims to investigate the mechanical performance of concrete with Bakelite plastic waste as a partial replacement for coarse aggregate. Six different concrete mixtures with various Bakelite dosages, ranging from 0 % to 10 %, were tested. The results indicate that the addition of Bakelite plastic alters the behaviour of the concrete and reduces compressive and flexural strengths at lower dosages. The inclusion of Bakelite waste in concrete mixtures generally leads to a decrease in compressive and split tensile strength, with the exception of the mixture containing 6 % Bakelite, which showed increased strength. Although there is a slight reduction in flexural strength, Bakelite waste prevents sudden specimen breakage and maintains specimen integrity. The ultimate load capacity of reinforced concrete beams with Bakelite waste is generally lower compared to the control beam, except for the 8 % waste Bakelite beam which demonstrated a similar ultimate load capacity of 60 kN. Although managing Bakelite waste can be difficult because it can lead to the creation of microplastics in landfills over time, utilizing Bakelite waste in concrete can be a sustainable method of waste management. The innovative use of Bakelite waste as a partial replacement for coarse aggregate in concrete offers a sustainable solution to the problem of waste management and addresses the environmental concerns related to the disposal of non-biodegradable plastics. This research provides a practical solution for developing eco-friendly and cost-effective construction materials while promoting sustainable waste management practices.

THE UTILIZATION OF 900 WP OFF-GRID SOLAR POWER PLANT FOR PRODUCT INTENSIFICATION OF A HYDROPONICS FARMER GROUP

In collaboration with a group of hydroponics farmers, an activity as a part of community service implementation has been carried out in Pasuruan, Eastern Java. The activity aims to develop a 900 Wp solar power plant capable of providing energy for running the essential electrical devices for the hydroponics system uninterrupted. This idea is to resolve the energy issue when the outage occurs. Moreover, the reliance on the public grid also adds additional expense for the electricity bill. Based on the observation, the power plant reliably provides sufficient energy to turn on different hydroponics electrical devices. It can supply energy for 12 hours without charging to activate, in total, 160 Watt of diverse loads all night long. While during the day, solar panels deliver energy for the batteries recharging and the other loads. Some other facilities are also developed in this activity, including UV plastic roof and addition of the grow lights to promote the plants’ growth acceleration. The plastic roof efficiently reduces the sunlight intensity to lower the heat experienced by the plants, transmits specific wavelengths crucial for growth, and prevents the rainwater from entering the nutrient water tank. Meanwhile, the grow lights stimulate faster growth and quickly recover the plants after receiving much heat that causes them to look wilt. As a result, the farmers are now less reliant on the public grid, and the hydroponics system is more weather-resistant.

Review of the utilization of plastic waste in asphalt pavements in hot climate conditions – KSA as a case study

In recent years, many global efforts have been made to advocate for the incorporation of recyclable waste materials into construction projects that utilize versatile asphalt. Hence, this review presents the use of modified asphalt with recyclable plastic materials in road construction as it relates to stability under extreme high temperatures. As per previous analysis, the addition of plastic does increase permanent resistance along with the increased work capacity of the asphalt. Although the effect of temperature on the asphalt shows no clear-cut results, the work capacity preferably increases at low temperatures. Current results have shown that the addition of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) does not provide strength to the asphalt because of its high melting nature; however, the addition of polypropylene (PP) provides substantial strength to asphalt when used in the construction of roads. Moreover, the addition of polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) does not provide much more strength when implemented on a large scale. This report presents bonding interactions between asphalt and plastic waste that demonstrate that chemical molecular modeling can be used to predict recyclable modified asphalt stability. Hence, FTIR data supports that adhesive interactions exist between the asphalt and plastic polymer materials. Modified asphalt mixtures demonstrated high levels of improvement with the addition of ethylene–vinyl acetate (EVA) and styrene–butadienestyrene (SBS), as these structures provide strength characterized by C–H and C-O bond stretching generated with Fourier Transform Infrared analysis (FTIR). Furthermore, identifying the microstructural changes of asphalt modified with plastics and following the physical dispersions are made easier with the use of SEM imaging analysis.

Screening of phthalate and non-phthalate plasticizers and bisphenols in Sicilian women’s blood

The plastic accumulation and its degradation into microplastics is an environmental issue not only for their ubiquity, but also for the release of intrinsic chemicals, such as phthalates (PAEs), non-phthalate plasticizers (NPPs), and bisphenols (BPs), which may reach body organs and tissues, and act as endocrine disruptors. Monitoring plastic additives in biological matrices, such as blood, may help in deriving relationships between human exposure and health outcomes. In this work, the profile of PAEs, NPPs and BPs was determined in Sicilian women’s blood with different ages (20–60 years) and interpreted by chemometrics. PAEs (DiBP and DEPH), NPPs (DEHT and DEHA), BPA and BPS were at higher frequencies and greater levels in women’s blood and varied in relation to age. According to statistical analysis, younger females’ blood had higher contents of plasticizers than older women, probably due to a more frequent use of higher quantities of plastic products in daily life.

Performance Evaluation of M20 Grade Geopolymer Concrete using Fly Ash and GGBS with Super Plasticizer

Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the strength properties of geopolymer concrete using fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) with the addition of a super plasticizer at a grade M20. The study used 70% fly ash and 30% GGBS to replace the cement content of the concrete mix, and sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate were used as Alkaline activators. The concentration of (NaOH) solution was maintained at 8 molarity and the dosage of activator ratio is 2.5 is a combination of sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide ratio. The compressive strength of the geopolymer concrete was tested at different ages (7, 14, and 28 days) to evaluate the strength properties. The results showed that the addition of fly ash and GGBS significantly improved the strength properties of the geopolymer concrete. Moreover, the optimized dosage of the super plasticizer was found to be 1% of the total weight of the mix. The study concludes that the use of fly ash and GGBS in geopolymer concrete can significantly improve its strength properties, and the addition of a super plasticizer can enhance its workability. This finding suggests that geopolymer concrete could be a viable alternative to conventional concrete in construction applications .The test result shows encouraging results of ordinary Portland cement concrete and geo polymer concrete so one can easily replace ordinary concrete with geopolymer concrete for precast applications.

First record of plastiglomerate and pyroplastic pollution in the world's longest natural beach

The identification and description of novel plastic forms, such as pyroplastics and plastiglomerates, in coastal areas raised several concerns in the field of plastic pollution. Under the growing literature in the field, the present study preliminarily reports the occurrence of novel plastic forms on Cox's Bazar beach, Bangladesh. The description of the novel plastic forms agrees with the literature, mostly consisting of lithic and biogenic elements within a synthetic polymer matrix (HDPE, LDPE, PP, and PET identified). Several knowledge gaps regarding the interaction between the novel plastic forms and colonizing organisms, as well as the leaching rates of plastic additives, remain to be addressed as crucial points to understand their implications. Illegal waste dumping and burning were identified as the primary catalysts for the emergence of new plastic forms in Cox's Bazar. Overall, researchers must reach a baseline consensus regarding the methodologies and next steps in the field.

2 plastics additives, insecticide face global ban

Delegates from around the world have agreed to add two plastics additives and a pesticide to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, an international treaty that lists toxic substances for global elimination. The agreement was reached during a 2-week meeting that wrapped up May 12 in Geneva. The two plastics chemicals are the flame retardant Dechlorane Plus and the ultraviolet stabilizer UV-328. The targeted pesticide is methoxychlor. All three chemicals meet the criteria for inclusion in the treaty: they are persistent, bioaccumulative, and harmful to human health and the environment, the delegates found. Environmental advocates welcome the decision to add the three chemicals to the Stockholm Convention but point out that exemptions will allow continued use of the plastics additives. The agreement is an important step “toward protecting human health and the environment from three chemicals linked to serious health conditions and threats to biodiversity,” Sara Brosché, a science

The Effect of Additional Chitosan and Cellulose on The Performance of Bioplastic from Manihot Glaziovii Starch

Manihot Glaziovii has a starch content of 77.87 making it potential to be used as raw material for bioplastics manufacturing as a substitute for conventional plastics. It requires the addition of biopolymers (fillers) and plasticizers to overcome weaknesses against mechanical properties and water resistance. This study aims to determine the effect of filler variations on the quality of bioplastics to be compared with SNI No.7188.7:2016 using fillers addition in the form of chitosan and cellulose from newsprint and sorbitol as plasticizer were expected to improve the quality of the bioplastics. Melt intercalation method are used with heating temperature of 60°C-80°C for 60 minutes and stirring speed of 500 rpm. The variation of cellulose combination for 30% chitosan (w/w starch) was 10%, 12%, 14%, 16%, and 18% while the variation of chitosan for 16% cellulose (w/w starch) was 20%, 30%, 40 %, 50%, and 60%. Based on the test results, the best characteristic value for the water absorption is 120.65%, biodegradability is 32.74%, tensile strength value is 15.72 MPa, WVTR value is 6.52 g/m2.hour, and elongation is 29.76%. From the test results, it can be concluded that bioplastics made from Manihot Glaziovii starch have not been able to meet SNI No.7188:2016.

Photoswitchable Liquid‐to‐Solid Transition of Azobenzene‐Decorated Polysiloxanes

AbstractHaving external control over fundamental properties of polymers, such as their physical state, is a crucial yet challenging design criterion for smart materials. Liquifying polymers through photochemical events has significantly advanced various research lines. However, the opposite process of solidifying a polymer that is intrinsically in a liquid state reversibly with light is unattained. Herein, the light‐controlled liquid‐to‐solid transition of polysiloxanes is reported, which are decorated with a small number of azobenzene‐functionalized ureidopyrimidinone (Azo‐UPy) pendants. The UPy moieties toggle between intra‐ and intermolecular hydrogen bonding via trans→cis photoisomerization of the azobenzene. This transformation on the molecular level leads to the formation of strong supramolecular cross‐links, which, in turn, results in the macroscopic solidification of the material. The photoswitching event enables the post‐synthetic tailoring of the polymers’ mechanical properties, thus providing an alternative to the addition of plasticizers or hardeners. Moreover, the adhesion strength of the photochromic material increases by a factor of 6 upon exposure to UV light. In situ illumination during rheological measurements reveals the delicate interplay between wavelength dependent penetration depth and photoswitching efficiency. This conceptually new (de)bonding on demand strategy paves the way for creating light‐responsive materials with exciting applications in temporal adhesion, recycling, lithography, and material processing.

2 plastics additives, insecticide face global ban

2 plastics additives, insecticide face global ban

Polymer types and additive concentrations in single-use plastic products collected from Indonesia, Japan, Myanmar, and Thailand

Marine debris comprising single-use plastic products (SUPs) is ubiquitous in Asian coastal waters, but there is little information on the types of polymers and the concentrations of plastic additives such waste products contain. In this study, 413 SUPs randomly collected from 4 Asian countries between 2020 and 2021 were analyzed to obtain specific polymer and organic additive profiles. Polyethylene (PE), coupled with external polymers, was prominent in the inside of the SUPs, whereas polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were prevalent in both the insides and outsides of the SUPs. The use of different polymers in the insides and outsides of PE SUPs implies specific and complicated recycling systems are required to maintain the purity of the products. Phthalate plasticizers including dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and the antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) were prevalent in the SUPs (n = 68). High concentrations of DEHP were detected in PE bags from Myanmar (820,000 ng/g) and Indonesia (420,000 ng/g), which were an order of magnitude greater than the concentrations in PE bags collected in Japan. SUPs containing high concentrations of organic additives may be the primary source of harmful chemicals in the environment, and should be responsible for their ubiquitous distribution in ecosystems.

New insights on municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill plastisphere structure and function

Plastisphere plays crucial role in global carbon and nitrogen cycles and microplastics formation. Global Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) landfills contain 42 % plastic waste, therefore representing one of the most significant plastispheres. MSW landfills are also the third largest anthropogenic methane sources and the important anthropogenic N2O source. Surprisingly, knowledge of microbiota and the associated microbial carbon and nitrogen cycles of landfill plastispheres is very limited. In this study, we characterized and compared the organic chemicals profile, bacterial community structure and metabolic pathway on plastisphere and the surrounding refuse in a large-scale landfill using GC/MS and 16S rRNA genes high-throughput sequencing, respectively. Landfill plastisphere and the surrounding refuse differed in organic chemicals composition. However, abundant phthalate-like chemicals were determined in both environments, implying the plastics additives leaching. Bacterial colonizing on the plastics surface had significantly higher richness than that in the surrounding refuse. Plastic surface and the surrounding refuse had distinct bacterial community composition. Genera of Sporosarcina, Oceanobacillus and Pelagibacterium were detected on the plastic surface with high abundance, while Ignatzschineria, Paenalcaligenes and Oblitimonas were rich in the surrounding refuse. Typical plastics biodegradation genus Bacillus, Pseudomonas and Paenibacillus were detected in both environments. However, Pseudomonas was dominant in plastic surface (up to 88.73 %), whereas Bacillus was rich in the surrounding refuse (up to 45.19 %). For the carbon and nitrogen cycle, plastisphere was predicted to had significant (P < 0.05) higher functional genes involved in carbon metabolism and nitrification, indicating more activated carbon and nitrogen microbial activity on the plastics surface. Additionally, pH was the main driver in shaping the bacterial community composition on plastic surface. These results indicate that landfill plastispheres serve as unique niches for microbial community habitation and function on microbial carbon and nitrogen cycles. These observations invite further study of the landfill plastispheres ecological effect.

Development of fish liver PLHC-1 spheroids and its applicability to investigate the toxicity of plastic additives

Fish liver cell lines are valuable tools to understand the toxicity of chemicals in aquatic vertebrates. While conventional 2D cell cultures grown in monolayers are well established, they fail to emulate toxic gradients and cellular functions as in in-vivo conditions. To overcome these limitations, this work focuses on the development of Poeciliopsis lucida (PLHC-1) spheroids as a testing platform to evaluate the toxicity of a mixture of plastic additives. The growth of spheroids was monitored over a period of 30 days, and spheroids 2–8 days old and sized between 150 and 250 µm were considered optimal for conducting toxicity tests due to their excellent viability and metabolic activity. Eight-day-old spheroids were selected for lipidomic characterization. Compared to 2D-cells, the lipidome of spheroids was relatively enriched in highly unsaturated phosphatidylcholines (PCs), sphingosines (SPBs), sphingomyelins (SMs) and cholesterol esters (CEs). When exposed to a mixture of plastic additives, spheroids were less responsive in terms of decreased cell viability and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), but were more sensitive than cells growing in monolayers for lipidomic responses. The lipid profile of 3D-spheroids was similar to a liver-like phenotype and it was strongly modulated by exposure to plastic additives. The development of PLHC-1 spheroids represents an important step towards the application of more realistic in-vitro methods in aquatic toxicity studies.

Effect of Plasticizer Addition on The Characteristics of Chitosan-Alginate Edible Film

&lt;p&gt;The edible film of chitosan-alginate in this study showed characteristics of the physical and mechanical properties when various plasticizers of polyethylene glycol/PEG, polyvinyl alcohol/PVA, and glycerol were added into the origin film. It was also found that chitosan content in the edible film contributed to the change in the physical properties and the conductivity of the film. The general effect on the film because of the addition of plasticizers was the decrease of the tensile strength, the increase of the films' elongation, and the increase of the water vapor permeability (WVP). Among other plasticizers, PEG attracted the most attention in which it affected the most significant change on the properties. Meanwhile, the higher chitosan content in the chitosan-alginate film affected the increase of the tensile strength and the decrease of the elongation value, and the decrease of the WVP on the film. Characterization using FT-IR spectrophotometer showed that no chemical interaction was formed due to the mixing of alginate-chitosan in the film. Instead, only the physical blending of chitosan-alginate was formed in the edible film.&lt;/p&gt;

A protocol for lixiviation of micronized plastics for aquatic toxicity testing

Plastics contain various types and amounts of additives that can leach into the water column when entering aquatic ecosystems. Some leached plastic additives are hazardous to marine biota at environmentally relevant concentrations. Disparate methodological approaches have been adopted for toxicity testing of plastic leachates, making comparison difficult. Here we propose a protocol to standardize the methodology to obtain leachates from microplastics (MPs) for aquatic toxicity testing. Literature reviewing and toxicity tests using marine model organisms and different types of MPs were conducted to define the main methodological aspects of the protocol. Acute exposure to leachates from the studied plastics caused negative effects on the early life stages of sea urchins and marine bacteria. We provide recommendations of key factors influencing lixiviation of MPs , such as particle size (<250 μm), solid-to-liquid ratio (1–10 g/L), mixing conditions (1–60 rpm), and lixiviation time (72 h). The proposed methodology was successful to determine the toxicity of leachates from different micronized plastics on marine biota. Our recommendations balance sensitivity, feasibility and environmental relevance, and their use would help ensure comparability amongst studies for a better assessment of the toxicity of plastic leachates on aquatic biota.