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Plastic is practical, cheap and incredibly popular
.
For the first time, a research team led by Stefanie Hellweg, professor of ecosystem design at ETH Zurich, has compiled a comprehensive database of plastic monomers, additives and processing aids used in plastic production and processing on the world market, according to usage patterns.
and hazard potential are systematically classified
.
high chemical diversity
high chemical diversityThe research team found around 10,500 chemicals in the plastic
.
"This means that almost a quarter of all chemicals used in plastics are highly stable, accumulate in living organisms, or are toxic
.
"What is particularly striking is that many of the substances in question are barely regulated or are vaguely described," Wiesinger continued
.
In fact, 53% of all substances of potential concern are not regulated in the US, EU or Japan
.
Plastic monomers, additives and processing aids
Plastic monomers, additives and processing aidsPlastics are organic polymers made up of repeating monomer units
.
"Until now, research, industry and regulatory agencies have focused on the limited number of hazardous chemicals known to be present in plastics," Wiesinger said.
"
Today, plastic packaging is seen as a major source of organic contamination in food, while phthalates Diformate plasticizers and brominated flame retardants are detected in house dust and indoor air
.
Still, the findings of the inventory worry researchers
.
Zhanyun Wang, a senior scientist in Hellweg's research group, said: "The unexpectedly high levels of substances of potential concern are worrying
.
Exposure to these substances can negatively impact the health of consumers and workers, as well as the polluted ecosystem
.
The chemicals in question are worrisome.
Products can also affect the recycling process and the safety and quality of recycled plastic
.
”
Even more chemicals in plastics could be problematic, the researchers emphasized
.
"Recorded hazard data is often limited and fragmented
.
For the 4,100 or 39% of the substances we identified, we were unable to classify them due to the lack of a hazard classification
.
"
Lack of data and transparency
Lack of data and transparencyThe two researchers found that the lack of transparency and fragmented data silos of chemicals in plastics was a major problem
.
Over more than two and a half years of investigative work, they combed through more than 190 publicly available data sources from research, industry and authorities, and identified 60 sources with sufficient information on intentionally added substances in plastics
.
"We identified multiple key knowledge and data gaps, particularly with regard to substances and their practical uses
.
This ultimately hinders consumers' choice of safe plastic products," they said
.
Two researchers are pursuing the goal of a sustainable circular plastic economy
.
They believe that effective global chemicals management is urgently needed; such a system must be transparent and independent, with comprehensive oversight of all hazardous substances
.
Open and easy access to reliable information is critical, the two researchers said
.
