When scientists examined recycled plastic pellets collected in 13 countries, they found hundreds of toxic chemicals, including pesticides and pharmaceuticals. The results were published in a study led by scientists from the University of Gothenburg. For this reason, scientists consider recycled plastic unsuitable for most purposes, hindering efforts to create a circular economy.

Delegates, scientists, and health and environmental advocates from around the world are traveling to Nairobi, Kenya, for the third session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastics Treaty (INC-3), which will take place from 13 to 19 November 2023.

There scientists will urge delegates to listen to the latest scientific research which suggests there is no such thing as plastic as toxic chemicals are used to make all types of plastic and plastic adsorbs other chemicals during use. safe or circular.

“Plastic recycling is touted as a solution to the plastic pollution crisis, but the toxic chemicals in plastic make reuse and recycling difficult and prevent recycling,” says Professor Bethany Carney Almroth from the University of Gothenburg.

More than 600 chemical compounds have been identified

In a published study Data in Brief A study led by Carney Almroth found that plastic pellets from plastic recycling facilities in 13 different countries in Africa, South America, Asia and Eastern Europe contained hundreds of chemicals, including several highly toxic pesticides.

A total of 491 organic compounds were detected and quantified in the pellets, and another 170 compounds were pre-annotated. These compounds span different classes, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals and plastic additives.

Risk present to everyone

There are few regulations on chemicals in plastics, and international trade in plastic waste complicates the issue. In published correspondence ScienceResearchers from the University of Gothenburg, IPEN, Aarhus University and the University of Exeter stated that “hazardous chemicals pose risks to recycling workers and consumers, as well as to society and the environment as a whole.” “To help tackle the plastic pollution crisis, the plastics industry needs to limit hazardous chemicals.”

More than 13,000 chemicals are used in plastics, and 25% of them are classified as hazardous. Scientists claim: “There are no chemicals in plastic [не можна] classified as safe”.

Professor Bethany Carney Almroth brings a clear message to next week’s meeting in Nairobi: “Many studies show that hazardous chemicals can accumulate even in relatively closed plastic recycling systems. We need to quickly get rid of plastics, chemicals that can harm human health. and the environment.” Source