Environ Sci Technol Lett
November 2024
Plastics contain various chemical substances, which can impact human and ecosystem health and the transition to a circular economy. Meanwhile, information on the presence of individual substances in plastics is generally not made publicly available, but relies on extensive analytical efforts. Here, we review measurement studies of chemicals in plastics and compile them into a new LitChemPlast database.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Sci Technol Lett
April 2023
A suite of analytical techniques was used to obtain a comprehensive picture of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in selected Canadian food packaging used for fast foods ( = 42). Particle-induced gamma ray emission spectroscopy revealed that 55% of the samples contained <3580, 19% contained 3580-10 800, and 26% > 10 800 μg F/m. The highest total F (1 010 000-1 300 000 μg F/m) was measured in molded "compostable" bowls.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Sci Process Impacts
November 2022
Numerous per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) occur in consumer food packaging due to intentional and unintentional addition, despite increasing concern about their health and environmental hazards. We present a substance flow analysis framework to assess the flows of PFASs contained in plant fiber-based and plastic food packaging to the waste stream and environment. Each year between 2018 and 2020, an estimated 9000 (range 1100-25 000) and 940 (range 120-2600) tonnes per year of polymeric PFASs were used in 2% of food packaging in the U.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Sci Technol
October 2022