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dc.contributor.authorTurner, A
dc.contributor.authorFilella, M
dc.date.accessioned2023-11-27T18:09:17Z
dc.date.available2023-11-27T18:09:17Z
dc.date.issued2023-12-10
dc.identifier.issn0048-9697
dc.identifier.issn1879-1026
dc.identifier.other166083
dc.identifier.urihttps://pearl.plymouth.ac.uk/handle/10026.1/21713
dc.description.abstract

Because of their convenience, the demand for decorative plastic plants has been increasing over recent years. However, no information exists on the origin or nature of the polymers employed or the type of additives used in order to understand potential environmental impacts and inform safe and sustainable disposal or recycling practices. In this study, 203 parts or offcuts from 175 plastic plants acquired from European shops and venues have been analysed by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry to determine elemental content, while a selection has been analysed by infrared spectrometry to establish polymer type. The (usually green) moulded components (n = 159) were commonly constructed of polyethylene or polypropylene, while leaves and colourful petals (n = 40) were generally made of polyethylene terephthalate fabric that had been glued to the moulded component. However, both components also exhibited evidence of being coated with a resin or adhesive for support, protection or appearance. Barium, Fe, Ti and Zn-based additives were commonly encountered but more important from an environmental and health perspective were variable concentrations of potentially hazardous elements in the moulded parts: namely, Br (6.1 to 108,000 mg kg−1; n = 78), Pb (7.6 to 17,400 mg kg−1; n = 53) and Sb (58.6 to 70,800 mg kg−1; n = 17). These observations suggest that many of the moulded components are derived from recyclates that are contaminated by waste electronic and electrical plastic, introducing brominated flame retardants, the flame retardant synergist, Sb2O3, and Pb into the final product. There are no standards for these chemicals in plastic plants, but regulations for electronic plastic, toy safety and packaging are frequently exceeded or potentially exceeded. Widespread contamination of plastic plants may impose constraints on their recycling and disposal.

dc.format.extent166083-166083
dc.format.mediumPrint-Electronic
dc.languageen
dc.publisherElsevier BV
dc.subjectPolyethylene terephthalate
dc.subjectPolyolefins
dc.subjectElectronic waste
dc.subjectBrominated flame retardants
dc.subjectAntimony
dc.subjectLead
dc.titleChemical characteristics of artificial plastic plants and the presence of hazardous elements from the recycling of electrical and electronic waste
dc.typejournal-article
dc.typeArticle
plymouth.author-urlhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37574058
plymouth.volume903
plymouth.publisher-urlhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166083
plymouth.publication-statusPublished
plymouth.journalScience of The Total Environment
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166083
plymouth.organisational-group|Plymouth
plymouth.organisational-group|Plymouth|Research Groups
plymouth.organisational-group|Plymouth|Faculty of Science and Engineering
plymouth.organisational-group|Plymouth|Faculty of Science and Engineering|School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
plymouth.organisational-group|Plymouth|Research Groups|Marine Institute
plymouth.organisational-group|Plymouth|REF 2021 Researchers by UoA
plymouth.organisational-group|Plymouth|Users by role
plymouth.organisational-group|Plymouth|Users by role|Academics
plymouth.organisational-group|Plymouth|Research Groups|BEACh
plymouth.organisational-group|Plymouth|REF 2021 Researchers by UoA|UoA07 Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences
plymouth.organisational-group|Plymouth|REF 2028 Researchers by UoA
plymouth.organisational-group|Plymouth|REF 2028 Researchers by UoA|UoA07 Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences
dc.publisher.placeNetherlands
dcterms.dateAccepted2023-08-04
dc.date.updated2023-11-27T18:09:16Z
dc.rights.embargodate2023-11-29
dc.identifier.eissn1879-1026
rioxxterms.versionofrecord10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166083


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