Deep Dive into Plastic Monomers, Additives, and Processing Aids

A variety of chemical
substances used in plastic production may
be released throughout the entire life cycle of the plastic, posing
risks to human health, the environment, and recycling systems. Only
a limited number of these substances have been widely studied. We
systematically investigate plastic monomers, additives, and processing
aids on the global market based on a review of 63 industrial, scientific,
and regulatory data sources. In total, we identify more than 10'000
relevant substances and categorize them based on substance types,
use patterns, and hazard classifications wherever possible. Over 2'400
substances are identified as substances of potential concern as they
meet one or more of the persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity
criteria in the European Union. Many of these substances are hardly
studied according to SciFinder (266 substances), are not adequately
regulated in many parts of the world (1'327 substances), or are
even
approved for use in food-contact plastics in some jurisdictions (901
substances). Substantial information gaps exist in the public domain,
particularly on substance properties and use patterns. To transition
to a sustainable circular plastic economy that avoids the use of hazardous
chemicals, concerted efforts by all stakeholders are needed, starting
by increasing information accessibility.