The use of consumer plastic spans a very broad range, including electronics, food packaging, and even clothing. While the major constituents of plastics are organic polymers, many also contain trace metal additives, which are potentially toxic to humans and the environment. These trace metals are often added to plastics to reduce degradation and discoloration, as well as increase strength and flexibility. However, there is a gap in knowledge on how these metal additives may be unintentionally released from consumer plastics. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), commonly used in piping, is specifically known to contain large amounts of tin (0.5 – 2 wt%). Previous research has investigated the release of tin compounds from PVC piping under bench-scale flow systems. However, these studies do not address other exposure routes, including inhalation of secondary particles produced during PVC construction activities (cutting, sanding, grinding, etc.) The proposed project will focus on two avenues. The first is tin and organotin mobility and fractionation during construction activities. Subsequently, tin release from these different size fractions will be tracked after incubation in a variety of synthetic biological fluids (SBFs). We hypothesize that incubation time and SBF pH will affect tin bioavailability, with lower pH’s increasing the release rates. The results of this project will give the scientific community insight into the likely environmental and human health consequences from the use of PVC, due to tin additives.<br/>

Assessing the release and transformation of metal additives from consumer plastics

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.