Scientists describe a new way to prevent the leakage of dangerous substances used in the plastic manufacturing industry - plasticizers - substances that are a source of health concern for humans
Scientists describe a new way to prevent the leakage of dangerous substances used in the plastic manufacturing industry - plasticizers - substances that are a source of health concern for humans. The progress could lead to the development of a new generation of PVC-based plastic. (polyvinylchloride, PVC) that would be safer than those used today for packaging, medical tools, toys and other products. The research findings were published in the scientific journal Macromolecules.
Scientist Helmut Reinecke and his colleagues explain that plastic manufacturers add large amounts of plasticizers to PVC to make it more flexible and stable. The softening materials make up more than a third of the weight of some PVC products. Chemical substances of the phthalate type (Phthalates, the entry in Wikipedia) are the main components of these softeners. Unfortunately, over time they tend to migrate to the surface of the plastic and even leak out into the environment. As a result, PVC-based plastics become less flexible and stable. In addition, people who come into contact with these plastic products may face possible health risks.
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) banned in 2009 the use of several phthalate-type softeners that were used in the production of toys and other products for children.
The scientists describe the development of a new process to permanently bond the phthalates chemically to the inner walls of the PVC plastic so that they cannot leak out. Laboratory experiments have shown that the method completely prevents the migration of the softener to the surface of the plastic and its leakage out. "This approach may open new ways to make flexible PVCs containing softeners without any leakage or health risks," the article describes.
Publication of the news on the website of the American Chemical Society
