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Comparative toxicity of conventional versus compostable plastic consumer products: An in-vitro assessment
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Researchers compared the toxicity of compostable plastics versus conventional plastics using cell-based laboratory tests. They found that compostable plastic extracts actually reduced cell viability more than conventional plastics, and this toxicity increased after exposure to sunlight or composting. The study suggests that compostable plastics may not always be the safer alternative and that their chemical composition warrants closer scrutiny.
This study investigates the toxicity of methanolic extracts obtained from compostable plastics (BPs) and conventional plastics (both virgin and recycled). Additionally, it explores the potential influence of plastic photodegradation and composting on toxic responses using a battery of in vitro assays conducted in PLHC-1 cells. The extracts of BPs, but not those of conventional plastics, induced a significant decrease in cell viability (<70%) in PLHC-1 cells after 24 h of exposure. Toxicity was enhanced by either photodegradation or composting of BPs. Extracts of conventional plastics, and particularly those of recycled plastics, induced 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity and micronucleus formation in exposed cells, indicating the presence of significant amounts of CYP1A inducers and genotoxic compounds in the extracts, which was enhanced by photodegradation. These findings highlight the importance of investigating the effects of degradation mechanisms such as sunlight and composting on the toxicity of BPs. It is also crucial to investigate the composition of newly developed formulations for BPs, as they may be more harmful than conventional ones.
More Papers Like This
Compostable and recycled plastics do not improve environmental chemical safety compared to conventional single-use polyethylene.
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Seven commercial compostable plastic bag brands and three polyethylene bag brands were assessed for chemical safety, finding that compostable and recycled plastics did not consistently reduce chemical hazards compared to conventional plastics. Many compostable materials leached potentially toxic compounds, challenging the assumption that they are environmentally safer alternatives.
Multispecies toxicity evaluation of extractable chemicals from commercial biodegradable plastic products
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"Biodegradable" plastics are often marketed as the safer, eco-friendly alternative to regular plastic, but this study found that chemicals leaching from 12 popular biodegradable plastic products can harm plants, marine life, bacteria, and even human skin and liver cells in lab tests. One additive chemical turned out to be even more damaging to human cells than a regulated phthalate (a chemical already known to be harmful) commonly found in conventional plastics. The takeaway: just because a plastic breaks down doesn't mean it's safe—the chemical additives used to make these products may pose their own health risks that need closer test
The Cytotoxicity of Biodegradable Microplastics and Nanoplastics: Current Status and Research Prospects
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This review summarizes what is currently known about the toxicity of biodegradable micro- and nanoplastics to human cells. Researchers found that outside of industrial composting facilities, biodegradable plastics can persist and fragment into small particles that may be just as harmful as conventional plastic particles. The study highlights that the label "biodegradable" does not necessarily mean these plastics are safer once they break down into micro- and nanoscale fragments.
Ecotoxicological effects of soil microplastic types and concentrations on earthworms
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Researchers tested the effects of conventional polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics alongside biodegradable PBAT microplastics on earthworms over 28 days. They found that PP microplastics caused significant mortality at the highest concentration, while PBAT, despite being marketed as biodegradable, induced the highest levels of DNA damage and cellular stress. The study suggests that biodegradable plastics are not necessarily less harmful to soil organisms than conventional plastics.
Ecotoxicity of Biodegradable Microplastics and Bio-based Microplastics: A Review of in vitro and in vivo Studies
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This review examines whether "eco-friendly" biodegradable and bio-based plastics are truly safer than conventional plastics when they break down into microplastics. The findings show that many biodegradable plastics, including popular types like PLA and PBAT, can still cause harm to plants and aquatic organisms, suggesting that simply switching to biodegradable materials does not eliminate microplastic risks.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.