Persistent Organic Pollutants from Plastics: Sources, Environmental Monitoring, Toxicity, and Remediation Strategies

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are toxic chemicals that persist in the environment, accumulate in organisms, and pose significant risks to human health and ecosystems. The widespread use of plastics has exacerbated the environmental challenges posed by these pollutants, as plastics both act as sources and carriers of POPs. POPs can be embedded in plastics as additives such as flame retardants, plasticizers, bisphenols, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or adsorbed onto plastics from surrounding environments. Environmental factors such as temperature, UV radiation, and mechanical stress influence the release of these chemicals, with degradation, weathering, and leaching contributing to their mobility and persistence. These pollutants bioaccumulate and biomagnify through food webs, affecting wildlife and human health. This chapter reviews the sources and formation pathways of POPs from plastics, examines environmental monitoring techniques, and evaluates current and emerging remediation strategies. It also discusses the health and ecotoxicological impacts of POPs, highlighting the need for stronger regulations, improved monitoring, and the development of safer, biodegradable plastics to address the growing concerns associated with plastic-derived POPs.