Toxicity Tests of Soil Contaminated by Recycling of Scrap Plastics

The present investigation studied the toxicity of soil contaminated by untreated discharge from a factory that recycles used plastics. The nearby agricultural areas and freshwater fish ponds were polluted with high concentrations of Cu, Ni, and Mn. Water extracts from the contaminated soil retarded root growth of Brassica chinensis (Chinese white cabbage) and Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda grass) where their seeds were obtained commercially. The contaminated populations of C. dactylon, Panicum repen (panic grass), and Imperata cylindrica (wooly grass) were able to withstand higher concentrations of Cu. Ni, and Mn, especially C. dactylon, when compared with their uncontaminated counterparts. 1990 Academic Press, Inc.

Characterizing the photodegradation-induced release of volatile organic compounds from bottled water containers

While plastic water bottles are known to potentially release various volatile organic compounds(VOCs)when exposed to light,existing knowledge in this field remains limited.In this study,we systematically examined the composition,yield,and toxicity of VOCs released from six plastic containers obtained from different continents under UV-A and solar irradiation.After light exposure,all containers released VOCs,including alkanes,alkenes,alcohols,aldehydes,carboxylic acids,aromatics,etc.The 1#,3#,4#,5#,and 6#containers exhibited 35,32,19,24 and 37 species of VOCs,respectively.Specifically,the 2#container released 28 and 32 series of VOCs after 1-day(short-term)and 7-day(long-term)UV-A irradiation,respectively,compared to 30 and 32 species under solar irradiation.Over half of the VOCs identified were oxidized compounds alongside various short-chain hydrocarbons.Significant differences in VOC compositions among the containers were observed,potentially originating from light-induced aging and degradation of the polyethylene terephthalate structure in the containers.Toxicological predictions unveiled distinctive toxic characteristics of VOCs from each container.For example,among the various VOCs produced by the 2#container,straight-chain alkanes like n-hexadecane(544-76-3)were identified as the most toxic compounds.After long-term irradiation,the yield of these toxic VOCs from the 2#container ranged from 0.11 ng/g to 0.79 ng/g.Considering the small mass of a single bottle,the volatilization of VOCs from an individual container would be insignificant.Even after prolonged exposure to light,the potential health risks associated with inhaling VOCs when opening and drinking bottled water appear manageable.

Co-contaminants of microplastics in two seabird species from the Canadian Arctic

Through ingestion and subsequent egestion,Arctic seabirds can bioaccumulate microplastics at and around their colony breeding sites.While microplastics in Arctic seabirds have been well documented,it is not yet understood to what extent these particles can act as transport vehicles for plastic-associated contaminants,including legacy persistent organic pollutants(POPs),trace metals,and organic additives.We investigated the occurrence and pattern of organic and inorganic co-contaminants of microplastics in two seabird species from the Canadian Arctic-northern fulmar(Fulmarus glacialis)and black-legged kittiwake(Rissa tridactyla).We found that fulmars had higher levels of plastic contamination and emerging organic compounds(known to be plastic additives)than kittiwakes,whereas higher concentrations of legacy POPs were found in kittiwakes than the fulmars.Furthermore,fulmars,the species with the much larger foraging range(~200 km),had higher plastic pollution and overall contaminant burdens,indicating that birds may be acting as long-range transport vectors for plasticassociated pollution.Our results suggest a potential connection between plastic additive contamination and plastic pollution burdens in the bird stomachs,highlighting the importance of treating plastic particles and plastic-associated organic additives as co-contaminants rather than separate pollution issues.