| 1. |
- Bour, Agathe, et al.
(författare)
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Comprehending the complexity of microplastic organismal exposures and effects, to improve testing frameworks
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of Hazardous Materials. - : Elsevier BV. - 0304-3894 .- 1873-3336. ; 415
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Microplastics (MPs) have been identified as a threat to global ecosystems. Current projections indicate that the negative impacts of MPs will increase in the environment. Traditional toxicity testing does not account for the diversity of MP particles, the inherent diversity in potential exposure routes, and complex impacts in exposed organisms. Here we present and discuss factors influencing organismal exposure to MPs driven by fate and behavior of MPs in different environmental matrices and organisms behavioral niches. We then provide a structured classification of potential effects of MPs, chemical or particulate, generic or specific to MPs. Using these analyses, we discuss appropriateness and limitations of applying traditional, chemical-based ecotoxicity testing for the study of MPs, and propose practical recommendations and guidelines. Future laboratory based studies can be improved to increase understanding of potential real world effects of MPs by careful selection of appropriate exposure systems and conditions, test organism, MP characteristics, endpoints and required controls. We build upon recommendations provided in previous publications and complement them with a list of parameters and practical information that should be checked and/or reported in MP studies.
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| 2. |
- Bour, Agathe, et al.
(författare)
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Implications of circular textile policies for the future regulation of hazardous substances in textiles in the European Union
- 2023
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Ingår i: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier B.V.. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 896
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The textile industry's business model is currently unsustainable and systemic changes must be made. The transition to a circular textile economy can be a major lever for this. However, it faces multiple issues, including the (in)ability of current legislations to provide sufficient protection regarding hazardous chemicals in recirculating materials. It is therefore crucial to identify legislative gaps that prevent the implementation of a safe circular textile economy, and to identify which chemicals could jeopardize this process. With this study, we aim to identify hazardous substances that could be found in recirculated textiles, to identify and discuss gaps in current regulations covering chemicals in textiles, and to suggest solutions to ensure better safety of circular textiles. We compile and analyze data on 715 chemicals and their associated functions, textile production stage, and hazard data. We also present how chemicals have been regulated over time and discuss regulations' strengths and weaknesses in the perspective of circular economy. We finally discuss the recently proposed Ecodesign regulation, and which key point should be included in the future delegated acts. We found that most of the compiled chemicals present at least one recognized or suspected hazard. Among them, there were 228 CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic, reprotoxic substances), 25 endocrine disruptors, 322 skin allergens or sensitizers, and 51 respiratory allergens or sensitizers. 30 chemicals completely or partially lack hazard data. 41 chemicals were found to present a risk for consumers, among which 15 recognized or suspected CMR and 36 recognized or suspected allergens/sensitizers. Following the analysis of regulations, we argue that an improved risk assessment of chemicals should consider chemicals specific hazardous properties and product's multiple life cycles, instead of being limited to the product's end-of-life stage. We especially argue that implementing a safe circular textile economy requires that chemicals of concern are eliminated from the market.
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| 3. |
- Brander, Susanne M., et al.
(författare)
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The time for ambitious action is now: Science-based recommendations for plastic chemicals to inform an effective global plastic treaty
- 2024
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Ingår i: SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 949
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The ubiquitous and global ecological footprint arising from the rapidly increasing rates of plastic production, use, and release into the environment is an important modern environmental issue. Of increasing concern are the risks associated with at least 16,000 chemicals present in plastics, some of which are known to be toxic, and which may leach out both during use and once exposed to environmental conditions, leading to environmental and human exposure. In response, the United Nations member states agreed to establish an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, the global plastics treaty. The resolution acknowledges that the treaty should prevent plastic pollution and its related impacts, that effective prevention requires consideration of the transboundary nature of plastic production, use and pollution, and that the full life cycle of plastics must be addressed. As a group of scientific experts and members of the Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty, we concur that there are six essential "pillars" necessary to truly reduce plastic pollution and allow for chemical detoxification across the full life cycle of plastics. These include a plastic chemical reduction and simplification, safe and sustainable design of plastic chemicals, incentives for change, holistic approaches for alternatives, just transition and equitable interventions, and centering human rights. There is a critical need for scientifically informed and globally harmonized information, transparency, and traceability criteria to protect the environment and public health. The right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment must be upheld, and thus it is crucial that scientists, industry, and policy makers work in concert to create a future free from hazardous plastic contamination.
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| 4. |
- Carmona, Eric, 1988, et al.
(författare)
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A dataset of organic pollutants identified and quantified in recycled polyethylene pellets
- 2023
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Ingår i: DATA IN BRIEF. - 2352-3409. ; 51
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Plastics are produced with a staggering array of chemical compounds, with many being known to possess hazardous properties, and others lacking comprehensive hazard data. Furthermore, non-intentionally added substances can contaminate plastics at various stages of their lifecycle, resulting in recycled materials containing an unknown number of chemical compounds at unknown concentrations. While some national and regional regulations exist for permissible concentrations of hazardous chemicals in specific plastic products, less than 1 % of plastics chemicals are subject to international regulation [1] . There are currently no policies mandating transparent reporting of chemicals throughout the plastics value chain or comprehensive monitoring of chemicals in recycled materials.The dataset presented here provides the chemical analysis of 28 samples of recycled High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pellets obtained from various regions of the Global South, along with a reference sample of virgin HDPE. The analysis comprises both Target and Non-Targeted Screening approaches, employing Liquid Chromatography-High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS) and Gas Chromatography-High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (GC-HRMS). In total, 491 organic compounds were detected and quantified, with an additional 170 compounds tentatively annotated. These com-pounds span various classes, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, plastic additives. The results highlight the prevalence of certain chemicals, such as N-ethyl-o-Toluesulfonamide, commonly used in HDPE processing, found in high concentrations. The paper pro-vides a dataset advancing knowledge of the complex chemical composition associated with recycled plastics.
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| 5. |
- Dey, Tridibesh, et al.
(författare)
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Global plastic treaty should address chemicals.
- 2022
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Ingår i: Science. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 0036-8075 .- 1095-9203. ; 378:6622, s. 841-842
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)
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| 6. |
- Ramos, Tiffany Marilou, et al.
(författare)
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A not so circular healthcare economy: A review of challenges with plastic associated chemicals
- 2023
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Ingår i: TrAC - Trends in Analytical Chemistry. - 0165-9936 .- 1879-3142. ; 166
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The versatility of plastic products results from additives, plasticizers, and chemicals that are included to obtain desired qualities. Research shows that these chemicals can leach from the plastic product throughout the lifecycle and cause negative effects to consumers and the environment. Health effects of these chemicals range from endocrine disrupters to carcinogens, yet the fate of these chemicals is still not well understood. When considering the healthcare sector's reliance on single-use plastics, the concern of leaching chemicals to vulnerable groups of patients becomes high. Furthermore, it's paramount to consider the substitution of these chemicals to ensure nonhazardous circularity and or recyclability of materials. Findings from this review suggest that while health effects of plastic associated chemicals addressed in this review are well studied, the implications of these chemicals on the circularity of materials are novel and must be considered in product design, within comprehensive regulations, and by healthcare facilities.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Wang, Mengjiao, et al.
(författare)
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Finance plastics reuse, redesign, and reduction
- 2023
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Ingår i: Science. - 0036-8075. ; 382:6670, s. 526-526
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Negotiations on a new international agreement to end plastic pollution are in progress, with the next committee meeting expected to focus on the list of control measures proposed in the initial “zero” draft. The document rightly urges nations to channel financial resources toward environmentally sustainable projects. However, this treaty draft disproportionately emphasizes waste management investment and neglects opportunities for reduction, redesign, and reuse.
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