Combustion Of Plastics Research Articles

Contribution of plastic solid components to volatile organic compounds formation during plastics combustion

The combustion of plastic waste releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are harmful to human health. However, information on the micro-mechanisms of VOC formation remains lacking. Here, the study hypothesized and verified the relationship between VOC formation and solid component degradation during plastics combustion. The VOCs released during plastics combustion exhibit characteristics such as low carbon content (nc< 10), volatility (9μgm-3 < log10C0 < 11μgm-3), and medium oxidation degree (−1.5 <OSC¯ < −0.5). The dominant VOCs ketones/aldehydes/acids (33-43%) may be attributed to the depolymerization of the polymer structure of plastics, the oxidation of C-O/C=O groups, and the secondary cleavage of gaseous oxygen-containing macromolecules. The VOCs released from the combustion of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and poly(butyleneadipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) contained more aromatics than polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). And the temperature response of aromatics released from PET and PBAT lagged other VOCs compared that of PP and PE. However, compared to biomass thermal conversion, combustion of plastics releases fewer aromatics and nitrogenous compounds. Collectively, this work shows that the formation mechanisms of VOCs contributed by the solid components during plastic combustion are similar for PET and PBAT due to their similar chemical structures. The proposed mechanism in this paper will provide insight into the control of contaminants during plastic combustion.

Effects of several typical plastic combustion residues on gasoline

Abstract In order to solve the interference caused by polymer materials on gasoline accelerants in arson cases, the characteristics of residues after combustion of some typical plastics are studied. Comparing it to the combustion residue of gasoline, we discussed the interference in gasoline detection. The results show that the combustion products of these plastics mainly interfere with the alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons in gasoline. Polyethylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride mainly produce C9-C16 branched-chain and straight-chain alkanes. Polystyrene and ABS resin generated C5 and C6 alkanes, also generated C1-benzene, C2 - benzene, and styrene. It mainly affects the identification of aromatic hydrocarbons in gasoline combustion residues. Understanding the types and characteristics of products in the combustion residues of these plastics can provide powerful evidence for fire investigators and criminal technicians in physical evidence identification.

Optical characteristics of brown carbon in the atmospheric particulate matter of Dhaka, Bangladesh: Analysis of solvent effects and chromophore identification

The prevalence of brown carbon (BrC) in the atmosphere has experienced a notable upsurge owing to human activities of anthropogenic origin. This study aims to examine the optical characteristics of BrC in both deionized (DI) water and organic solvents (OS), alongside the identification of BrC chromophores within the ambient atmosphere of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Particulate matter (PM) samples were collected on quartz filters using a low-volume sampler from December 2021 to May 2022 at Mukarram Hussain Khundker Bhaban, University of Dhaka. The concentration of BrC was measured using soot analyzer, optical properties of BrC were determined using UV–Vis spectrometer, and BrC chromophores were identified with GC-MS. Average concentration of BrC was 19.13 ± 5.71 μgm−3. The average of absorption coefficient (babs_365), mass absorption efficiency (MAE), absorption angstrom exponent (AAE), and refractive index (kabs_365) of BrC_DI have been observed to be 38.75 ± 21.90 Mm−1, 2.16 ± 1.42 m2 g-1, 1.51 ± 0.08, 0.06 ± 0.04, respectively. The absorption coefficient and MAE of BrC_OS are 1.3 and 1.36 times, respectively higher than that of BrC_DI. Thirty chromophores of BrC have been identified, predominantly consisting of oxygenated compounds. Derivatives of Bisphenol A (C27H44O2Si2) were detected in all samples of oxygenated compounds, primarily originating from the combustion of plastic and the incineration of e-waste. Additionally, compounds containing nitrogen and sulfur, such as C14H26N2O, C31H55N, and C31H49NO3S, were identified, largely attributed to biomass combustion and traffic emissions. These chromophores play a significant role in the absorption of solar radiation, thus influencing atmospheric photochemistry.

Bioplastic Compounds of Succinic Acid from Agriculture Waste; Date Palm Syrup And Date Palm Fronds

Excessive use of petrochemical-based plastics lead to severe plastic pollution by accumulation in soil, drainage system blockage, also each year trillions of plastic residues released into the ocean. In some cases, burning plastic waste releases toxic gases and may cause acid rain. Bioplastics, biodegradable, are eco-friendly alternatives to petroleum-based plastics, reduce environmental impacts and utilize non-edible waste products for decomposition by microorganisms, making them a significant topic in the twenty-first century. Succinic acid has wide medical and industrial application, in addition to being a solution to the problem of plastic pollution for use in the manufacture of bioplastics. One of the most important biomass wastes in the Iraqi environment that are candidates for biorefinery is palm waste due to its environmental friendliness and high sugar content. In this study, succinic acid was investigated in the fermentation product of poor-quality date palms Zahid and palm fronds. The residues of Zahid dates with palm fronds and the addition of soybean were used for the production of succinic through the process of batch fermentation and solid-state fermentation using a mixture of yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and P. stipitis ATCC 58785 and fungi Trichoderma reesei and Aspergillus niger after pretreatment. The succinic acid was estimated using GC mass, and the quantities of acid produced from date juice from Zuhdi dates syrup were 20.6g/L, while the optimal ratio of acid produced from palm fronds with soybeans was estimated at 2.28g/L and production improved to 3.51 g/L by fed batch fermentation. Biotonic acid, oxalic acid malic acid were detected in significant amount as 10.82,23.68 and 70.40 g/L respectively from date syrup. This research opens the horizons for the use of the biomass of the dates palm in the production of bioplastics. Consolidated bioprocessing of lignocellulose to succinic acid through a microbial cocultivation system consolidated bioprocessing.

SIMULATOR BOILER HYBRID SEBAGAI FUNGSI PENGERING DAN PENGOLAH LIMBAH MEDIS JENIS PLASTIK

The hybrid boiler simulator is a simulation machine designed with two working functions, namely as a medical waste processing function and as a drying cabinet function. As a medical waste processor, this machine will focus on plastic medical waste, and as a dryer function, this machine will be a clothes-drying tool or cabinet. So based on the multifunctionality of the machine, this system has hybrid working characteristics. Hybrid boiler simulators can be a solution, providing the function of processing plastic medical waste and providing the advantageous function of economical and environmentally friendly drying. Therefore, this research aims to create a hybrid boiler simulator that can be used as a plastic medical waste processing machine and also as a clothes drying machine. The hybrid boiler system is designed by applying the concept of appropriate technology so that its implementation can be done easily and practically. The research implementation method is a classification of plastic medical waste, concept design, and analysis, construction design of a hybrid boiler system combined with an incinerator for burning medical waste, system function testing, and observation of test data. The focus of his research is the heat of burning plastic waste, heat radiation, circulators, and flow control systems as well as the characteristics of the results of burning plastic waste. The results of this research are that the hybrid boiler simulator machine can function as an incinerator machine to burn plastic medical waste and function as a clothes dryer; The function of the incinerator in this machine is only through two processes, namely the process of burning plastic medical waste raw materials and the process of burning carbon gas or smoke produced from the process of burning raw materials; the sumulator machine is not yet equipped with a fogging process for the function of smoke cleaning filter and fogging control; the hybrid boiler simulator machine works on the principle of automatic control based on temperature detection using a temperature sensor; The combustion temperature in the boiler machine can be controlled at a standard of 830 °C and the drying room temperature can be set at a room temperature of 50 – 150 °C.

Recycling of waste plastic combustion soot and diesel oil mixing to prepare a new collector to improve the performance of low-rank coal flotation

Clean utilization of soot pollution and low-rank coal has received extensive attention worldwide. In this study, soot from plastic combustion was mixed with diesel oil as a new collector (SPC-DO) to enhance the low-rank coal flotation. The flotation results showed that SPC-DO improved the flotation of low-rank coal more effectively than diesel oil, with a higher yield of fine coal and lower ash content. In addition, the results of the scanning electron microscope, contact angle, X-ray photoelectron spectrometer, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements showed that the soot from plastic combustion has superhydrophobicity, and the oxygen-containing functional groups on its surface can interact with the hydroxyl groups on the low-rank coal surface to form hydrogen bonds, which in turn cover the hydrophilic sites. When applying SPC-DO as the collector, the soot from plastic combustion not only increased the hydrophobic sites on the LRC surface but also enhanced the adsorption effect of diesel oil on the low-rank coal surface.

Fresh evidence of the impact of economic complexity, health expenditure, natural resources, plastic consumption, and renewable energy in air pollution deaths in the USA? An empirical approach

Most plastic waste generated from plastic consumption cannot be recycled and is destroyed by burning. As a result of burning plastics, microplastics spread into the atmosphere, increasing air pollution. Respiratory diseases and chronic health problems are caused by air pollution. Approximately 7 million people die each year due to pollution-related ailments. Therefore, it is crucial to provide empirical evidence rather than approximate estimates of the role of plastic consumption in air pollution-related deaths. Also, understanding the causes of air pollution-related deaths and demonstrating the policies' effectiveness will provide valuable insights for policymakers, the international community, and researchers. This study investigates the effects of plastic consumption, health expenditures, natural resources, economic complexity, and renewable energy on air pollution deaths in the USA from 1995 to 2019 using the novel Fourier Augmented ARDL method. The findings show that plastic consumption, health expenditures, natural resources, and economic complexity increase air pollution deaths, while renewable energy decreases it. Such findings imply that plastic consumption is an essential determinant of air pollution-related mortality, that health policy must be reconsidered, that efficient use of resources is important and that sophisticated economic structures do not always produce the desired results. Overall, policymakers should review health policies to reduce deaths from air pollution and take measures to support green growth using renewable energy and economic complexity tools.

Green Concrete: Residu Pembakaran Sampah Plastik Dan Tekstil Sebagai Pengganti Sebagian Agregat Halus pada Campuran Beton

Infrastructures are increasing as the population grows. The demand for building materials from the construction industry is also improving. Building materials like fine aggregates come from nature, such as sand. This research aims to partially replace natural fine aggregates in concrete mixes using plastic waste combustion residues. This research uses an experimental method with a quantitative approach. The test specimens used in this study were 24 pieces with a replacement percentage of 0, 5, 10, and 20% residue. The results of this study show that the average concrete strength for replacement of 0, 5, 10, and 20% is 23.77; 23.15; 19.47; 17.77 Mpa. At 5% replacement of fine aggregate, the percentage of concrete strength reached 97.4% of normal concretes. It can be concluded that concrete strength affects the partial replacement of fine aggregates with residues from the combustion of plastic and textile waste.

The Open Burning of Plastic Wastes is an Urgent Global Health Issue.

The open burning of mixed wastes that contain plastics is a widespread practice across the globe, resulting in the release of gas emissions and ash residues that have toxic effects on human and environmental health. Although plastic pollution is under scrutiny as a pressing environmental concern, it is often conflated with plastic litter, and the contribution of the open burning of plastics to air, soil, and water pollution gets overlooked. Therefore, campaigns to raise awareness about plastic pollution often end up leading to increased open burning. Many countries or regions where open burning is prevalent have laws in place against the practice, but these are seldom effective. In this viewpoint, we direct attention to this critical but largely overlooked dimension of plastic pollution as an urgent global health issue. We also advocate interventions to raise awareness about the risks of open burning and emphasize the necessity of phasing out some particularly pernicious plastics in high-churn, single-use consumer applications.

Beyond Plastics on pyrolysis moratorium, packaging reduction and banning vinyl chloride and PVC

On January 3, 2024, Beyond Plastics reported that the city of Youngstown, Ohio, has adopted a one-year moratorium on pyrolysis or gasification or combustion of tires, chipped tires, plastics, and electronic waste in the city of Youngstown, Ohio. The city council voted unanimously on December 20, 2023; Mayor Jamael Tito Brown signed the bill on December 26, 2023; and it went into effect immediately on December 26, 2023.

Synthesis of sodium alginate composite bioplastic films

In recent years, plastic pollution has reached high levels; eight million metric tons of plastic waste leaked into the oceans in 2010, with estimates predicting 53 million metric tons of emissions annually by 2030. The increasing use of single-use plastics accounts for much of this mismanaged plastic. Aside from harming marine ecosystems, burning plastic waste in landfills may release toxic chemicals that cause illnesses. Bioplastic, a plastic derived from biological sources, has emerged as a sustainable alternative to mitigate this issue. However, their lack of biodegradability and high costs restrict widespread adoption. We investigated the development of alginate-based bioplastic films as a sustainable plastic alternative. We hypothesized a sodium alginate-based bioplastic film synthesized in ambient conditions would demonstrate higher biodegradability, higher tensile strength, higher solubility in water, lower oxygen permeability, and lower water vapor permeability compared to PET plastic packaging films. We synthesized the films in ambient conditions with glycerol and calcium chloride as an added plasticizer. The material displayed transparency and flexibility. Additionally, the film was able to dissolve in water after 180 minutes and biodegrade in microbial conditions (i.e., environments that can sustain microbes and other decomposers) within seven days. Ultimately, our research supports sodium alginate composite films as a biodegradable bioplastic film that exhibits higher solubility in water, and greater biodegradability compared to PET plastic films. However, contrary to our hypothesis, sodium alginate composite films also demonstrated lower tensile strength and higher water vapor permeability. This suggests sodium alginate composite films are not ready to replace PET packaging films in the industry.

Compositional analysis of dark colored particulates homogeneously emitted with combustion gases (dark plumes) from brick making kilns situated in the area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

In Pakistan raw coal and a little quantity of waste plastics are burnt to sustain high temperature inside brick making kilns. The gaseous emissions of the kilns contain a considerable amount of darkish colored particulates. It is currently believed that the plastic burning produces these particulates. Advanced characterization instruments, such as a scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffractometer, surface area analyzer using nitrogen gas adsorption isotherms, and thermogravimetric analyzer, were used to find out the chemistry and physics of the particulates. At a magnification of 30,000x, the SEM picture shows masses that are roughly roundish in shape and their size is in between 0.1 to 0.5 microns. The elements detected in these particles are carbon, oxygen, and sulfur (EDS analysis), or in other words, these elements are a typical composition of raw coal. This elemental analysis suggest that fine coal particles come out with usual combustion gases and these emitted particulates are not plastic combustion product. To strengthen this finding, the sample when calcined discarded a significant amount of sulphur oxides species, as determined in the XRF study by noticing a considerable decrease of sulphur content in the calcined particles, suggesting that the particles are actually a coal. The N2 isotherm graph reveals that the light weight flying coal particles has a very low surface area. Additionally, the XRD and TGA studies supports the conclusion that these dark colored particulate emissions are primarily fine coal particles (cenosphere).

Research of processes of thermochemical disposal of components of the morphological composition and model analogs of MSW

The article emphasizes that processing and disposal of household waste mainly concerns large densely populated cities, where millions of cubic meters of solid household waste (MSW) are accumulated annually. It was noted that thermal methods of solid waste disposal are among the most advanced methods of their processing. The advantage of these methods is a significant reduction in the volume of processed material. When waste is burned, its weight is reduced by 85-90%. In addition to reducing the volume and mass of waste, incineration of household waste allows you to obtain additional energy resources. Indicators of the amount of heat of combustion of MSW are similar to indicators of brown coal - from 1000 to 3000 kcal/kg.&#x0D; To date, existing waste incineration plants have a number of disadvantages, the main of which is low efficiency. The rate of useful use of thermal energy does not exceed 65%, even with the use of a more advanced property.&#x0D; The combustion processes themselves, the formation and composition of ash residues are affected by a large number of factors, starting with the properties and characteristics of the fuel, the physical and chemical properties of the raw materials, the parameters of the combustion process, the dispersed size of the fuel, the type of reactor, and the level of oxygen in the working area.&#x0D; Thus, the selection of the range of temperatures and pressures, the rate of heating of the gas medium for the thermogravimetric method of disposal of carbon-containing waste plays a decisive role in overcoming the shortcomings of this method.&#x0D; The purpose of the article is the development of a thermogravitational installation for studying the peculiarities of the flow of kinetic processes during the combustion of MSW samples.&#x0D; The article presents the development of an experimental thermogravitational unit for researching processes of thermochemical processing of carbon-containing alternative fuels with wide possibilities, which allows to study the influence of technological parameters on the combustion process. A description of the main nodes and the measurement system, the methodology of the experiment and the analysis of the obtained data is given. &#x0D; A series of experiments was conducted with all the main components of solid waste: wood, food waste (potatoes, meat), office and chart paper, leather, garden waste, tetrapak, plastic. It is shown that the nature of the mass change curves of various components practically does not depend on their chemical composition and is determined mainly by the staged course of the combustion process, and the latter, in turn, by the rate of heating of the sample, the only exception being the combustion of plastic. The oxidation time of all components, except plastic, after reaching the temperature of the beginning of combustion (~ 200-250, sometimes 300 °С) is from 5-7 to 40-50 minutes, while the intensive combustion of plastic ends in 1 minute. &#x0D; It was determined that the composition and thermophysical properties of ash play an important role in the processes of thermochemical disposal of MSW, affecting the value of the specific calorific value of MSW as a fuel and the value of the adiabatic temperature of the gaseous products of the process.

The Processing of LDPE Plastic Waste into Renewable Fuel Using Waste Motor Oil

The increase in population causes an increasing amount of solid waste, especially plastic waste. Plastic waste that cannot be decomposed in nature increases its number and causes environmental pollution. The research aimed to process plastic waste into alternative fuel oil using waste motor oil. The research methods consisted of designing a plastic waste processing device using waste motor oil as fuel and testing the device with a plastic burning process using a processing machine. The plastic waste processing device was produced in the form of a stove that functions to heat plastic waste fueled by waste motor oil using an electric blower to generate pressure into the reactor. The heating process produces steam flowing and processing in a distillation tube to produce oil. The resulting temperature was 140oC and could melt plastic waste, but there were still burning residues. The distillation produced two types of fuel oil, yellow and black.

Contained Redistribution: The Technopolitics of Plastic Burning

Plastic stands for designed materials, chemically synthesized for massive use in industry and commerce. As plastic production continues to accelerate, plastic waste is incinerated, globally, as a preferred—though contested—technology for disposal. Burning plastic can be harmful; many associated chemicals, including those produced by burning certain plastics, are potentially toxic. They accumulate in bio-geological environments, known to entail serious health effects in humans for generations. Thus, matters of containment—emission filtration, limiting exposure, spatial localization, and so on—assume technopolitical significance.

Concentration and sources of persistent organic pollutants within the vicinity of a scrap-iron smelting plant: Seasonal pattern and health risk assessment

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a class of ubiquitous and significant synthetic organic chemicals that pose deleterious threats to the environment and human health. This study examined the concentration, indoor-outdoor and seasonal change, sources, and health effects of PCBs in particulate-bound dust near a scrap iron recycling plant. PCBs levels were determined in samples using gas chromatograph mass spectrometer. The results indicated that 5 Cl atoms PCB constituted the majority of PCBs (41% overall), contributing 43% during the rainy season and 39% during the dry season. Dioxin-like PCBs (DLPCBs) contributed 38% during the rainy season and 33% during the dry season. In addition, DLPCB accounted for 26% and 40% of indoor and outdoor PCB emissions, respectively. Iron and steel production were identified as the highest identified contributing sources, accounting for 76% of PCB emissions in the rainy season, while plastic combustion had the highest contribution in the dry season, accounting for 44% of PCB emissions. Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk assessment showed ingestion as the main exposure pathway for children and adults during the two seasons (74.42% and 58.24%, respectively), followed by dermal exposure, while inhalation had the least contribution. A multifaced approach involving relevant agencies, the industry, and the community is required to reduce exposure.

Polychlorinated biphenyls in bovine milk from a typical informal electronic waste recycling and related source regions in southern India before and after the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak

For more than a decade, Chennai city in southern India has been evidenced with informal electronic waste (e-waste) recycling and open burning practices as the potential sources for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). PCBs can bioaccumulate in livestock particularly cows grazing on the contaminated soil. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic led to additional challenges associated with waste management practices. Hence this study aims to elucidate twenty-five PCB congeners in bovine milk from the previously reported PCB source regions in Chennai and the suburbs before and after about three years of the pandemic outbreak along electronic waste recycling (EWR), open burning dumps (OBD), and residential (RES) transects. The geomean concentration of Ʃ25PCBs in ng/g lipid weight (lw) followed a decreasing trend of EWR (13 ng/g lw) > OBD (8 ng/g lw) > RES (4 ng/g lw). Over 80 % of PCBs stemmed from EWR and OBD transects before and after the pandemic. However, a significant surge in the level of PCB-52 was observed in the OBD transect after the pandemic outbreak. Most toxic PCB congeners, PCB-126 and -169 were significant contributors to TEQs in EWR and OBD transects and can be reasoned with the burning of waste materials and mixed plastics in these transects. The highest average daily dose (ADD) exposure risk was for children from EWR and was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than other transects. Mean ADD-induced TEQ (6.6 pg TEQ/kg-bw/day) from the cows grazing around Kodungaiyur dumpsite slightly exceeded the EU guideline of 5.5 pg TEQ/kg-bw/day after the outbreak of the pandemic due to PCB-126. However, none of the samples exceeded the US FDA (1.5μg/g milk fat) recommendation limits for PCBs in milk fat. Prolonged exposure to such persistent organic pollutants interlinked with the burning of mixed waste in the open dumps can be a public health concern.

Bulk and molecular-level composition of primary organic aerosol from wood, straw, cow dung, and plastic burning

Abstract. During the past decades, the source apportionment of organic aerosol (OA) in ambient air has been improving substantially. The database of source retrieval model-resolved mass spectral profiles for different sources has been built with the aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS). However, distinguishing similar sources (such as wildfires and residential wood burning) remains challenging, as the hard ionization of the AMS mostly fragments compounds and therefore cannot capture detailed molecular information. Recent mass spectrometer technologies of soft ionization and high mass resolution have allowed for aerosol characterization at the molecular formula level. In this study, we systematically estimated the emission factors and characterized the primary OA (POA) chemical composition with the AMS and the extractive electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (EESI-TOF) for the first time from a variety of solid fuels, including beech logs, spruce and pine logs, spruce and pine branches and needles, straw, cow dung, and plastic bags. The emission factors of organic matter estimated by the AMS and hydrocarbon gases estimated by the total hydrocarbon analyzer are 16.2 ± 10.8 g kg−1 and 30.3 ± 8.5 g kg−1 for cow dung burning, which is generally higher than that of wood (beech, spruce, and pine), straw, and plastic bag burning (in the range from 1.1 to 6.2 g kg−1 and 14.1 to 19.3 g kg−1). The POA measured by the AMS shows that the f60 (mass fraction of m/z 60) varies from 0.003 to 0.04 based on fuel types and combustion efficiency for wood (beech, spruce, and pine) and cow dung burning. On a molecular level, the dominant compound of POA from wood, straw, and cow dung is C6H10O5 (mainly levoglucosan), contributing ∼ 7 % to ∼ 30 % of the total intensity, followed by C8H12O6 with fractions of ∼ 2 % to ∼ 9 %. However, as they are prevalent in all burning of biomass material, they cannot act as tracers for the specific sources. By using the Mann–Whitney U test among the studied fuels, we find specific potential new markers for these fuels from the measurement of the AMS and EESI-TOF. Markers from spruce and pine burning are likely related to resin acids (e.g., compounds with 20–21 carbon atoms). The product from the pyrolysis of hardwood lignins is found especially in beech log burning. Nitrogen-containing species are selected markers primarily for cow dung open burning. These markers in the future will provide support for the source apportionment.

Incidence and spread of additives from co-combustion of plastic waste in domestic boilers in indoor and outdoor environments around the family house

The additives released from plastic waste during co-combustion significantly influence indoor air quality. It was found that the unauthorised burning of plastics in households increased the additive concentrations in the indoor air of living spaces by an average of 5 μg/m3. This effect was observed from the difference between background concentrations (indoor quality during combustion of wood) and concentrations during the co-combustion of plastics. The one-way ANOVA analysis shows that indoor air quality is affected not only by the migration of pollutants from the boiler room within the indoor environment (infiltration) but also by air exchange with emissions and outdoor air. The highest concentrations of released additives in the boiler room were found for polystyrene > polypropylene > polyethylene terephthalate > polyethylene (low-density polyethylene and high-density polyethylene). Phthalates from polystyrene (21.16 ± 3.15 μg/m3) were released at the highest concentration, while phthalates from other plastics reached approximately half of this value. During the combustion of high-density polyethylene with softwood, chemical compounds from the residuals of content in plastic packaging were identified in the air (6.26 ± 0.31 μg/m3). Almost all these compounds show significant adverse health effects (irritation of the skin and the respiratory system), and some are carcinogenic.

Community awareness and perceptions on microplastics: a case study from Sri Lanka

Microplastic (MP) pollution is a global issue due to its unprecedented impacts on the environment and human health. However, its place as a potential pollutant and possible impacts on plant and human health are less understood among the general public. The study was conducted to investigate the level of awareness of MP pollution and its impacts and to evaluate their practices and perceptions of plastic usage, and their awareness on regulatory measures in Sri Lanka. The convenience sampling method was employed to select the study population representative of both rural and urban areas. A questionnaire was distributed among 166 respondents belonging to the age group of 20 - 40 years. Nearly 67% and 68% of respondents were aware of MPs and their harmful impacts, respectively. Nevertheless, most respondents (66 %) were not aware of the regulatory measures introduced by the authorities to control the usage of plastic products. About 66% of respondents discarded plastic items on a daily or weekly basis indicating their widespread usage among the general public in Sri Lanka. However, a majority (85%) were unaware that burning of plastics is a prohibited action in the country. The results revealed that the awareness of MPs and their impacts were significantly linked to the gender, level of education, and occupation of respondents, though their awareness on regulatory measures did not show any relationship with the tested demographic characteristics. Unemployed respondents (98.4%) were more mindful of the non-biodegradable nature of plastics than that of students and employed respondents, indicating that the level of education has no link with their awareness of plastics and their characteristics. Despite reasonably high awareness on MPs, the study highlights the necessity of introducing effective strategies to enhance the awareness of regulatory measures to control plastic usage and safe disposal mechanisms among the general public to manage MP pollution in Sri Lanka.