We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
The leaching of phthalates from PVC can be determined with an infinite sink approach.
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers demonstrated that phthalate plasticizers can leach from PVC plastic at concentrations detectable by simple analytical methods, with leaching rates depending on plastic composition and environmental conditions. The work is relevant to understanding how microplastic particles in the environment release toxic phthalates into surrounding water and sediments.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is the third most used polymer for plastic products in the European Union (+NO/ CH) and contains the highest amounts of additives, especially phthalic acid esters (phthalates). Leaching kinetics of additives from (micro-) plastics into aqueous environments are highly relevant for environmental risk assessment and modelling of the fluxes of plastics and its associated additives. Investigating the leaching of phthalates into aqueous environments in batch experiments is challenging due to their low solubility and high hydrophobicity and there are no standard methods to study release processes. Here we describe an infinite sink method to investigate the leaching of phthalates from PVC into the aqueous phase. Spiking and leaching experiments using bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate as a model phthalate enabled the validation and evaluation of the designed infinite sink method. The developed method offers: •a low-cost and simple approach to investigate leaching of phthalates from PVC into aqueous environments•the use of a high-surface activated carbon powder as an infinite sink•a tool to elucidate the transport fluxes of plastics and additives.
More Papers Like This
Polyvinyl Chloride Microplastics Leach Phthalates into the Aquatic Environment over Decades
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured how phthalate plasticisers leach from polyvinyl chloride microplastics into water over extended time periods and found that the release process can continue for decades. The study identified the specific mass transfer mechanisms governing leaching rates for three common phthalates. These findings suggest that PVC microplastics represent a long-term source of chemical contamination in aquatic environments, far longer than previously appreciated.
Microplastics: A major source of phthalate esters in aquatic environments
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers demonstrated that microplastics are a major source of phthalate esters in aquatic environments, with PVC products leaching the highest concentrations and environmental factors like UV exposure and salinity increasing release rates.
Plasticiser leaching from polyvinyl chloride microplastics and the implications for environmental risk assessment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured the leaching of diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and bisphenol A (BPA) from polyvinyl chloride microplastics under simulated marine conditions, finding that both plasticizers leached in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. These findings are important for environmental risk assessments of PVC microplastics, which represent a major fraction of ocean plastic pollution.
Dibutyl phthalate release from polyvinyl chloride microplastics: Influence of plastic properties and environmental factors
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how dibutyl phthalate leaches from PVC microplastics into surrounding environments, finding that particle size, temperature, pH, and salinity all significantly influenced the release rate of this plasticizer additive.
Microplastic acts as a vector for contaminants: the release behavior of dibutyl phthalate from polyvinyl chloride pipe fragments in water phase
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated the release behavior of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) from polyvinyl chloride pipe fragments in water, finding that low concentrations were released under varying conditions, confirming that PVC microplastics act as vectors for phthalate contaminants in aquatic environments.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.