Legacy and emerging plasticizers and stabilizers in PVC floorings and implications for recycling
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Author (Corporation)
Publication date
19.01.2024
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01A - Journal article
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Parent work
Environmental Science & Technology
Special issue
DOI of the original publication
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Series
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Volume
58
Issue / Number
4
Pages / Duration
1894-1907
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Publisher / Publishing institution
American Chemical Society
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Abstract
Hazardous chemicals in building and construction plastics can lead to health risks due to indoor exposure and may contaminate recycled materials. We systematically sampled new polyvinyl chloride floorings on the Swiss market (n = 151). We performed elemental analysis by X-ray fluorescence, targeted and suspect gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of ortho-phthalates and alternative plasticizers, and bioassay tests for cytotoxicity and oxidative stress, and endocrine, mutagenic, and genotoxic activities (for selected samples). Surprisingly, 16% of the samples contained regulated chemicals above 0.1 wt %, mainly lead and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). Their presence is likely related to the use of recycled PVC in new flooring, highlighting that uncontrolled recycling can delay the phase-out of hazardous chemicals. Besides DEHP, 29% of the samples contained other ortho-phthalates (mainly diisononyl and diisodecyl phthalates, DiNP and DiDP) above 0.1 wt %, and 17% of the samples indicated a potential to cause biological effects. Considering some overlap between these groups, they together make up an additional 35% of the samples of potential concern. Moreover, both suspect screening and bioassay results indicate the presence of additional potentially hazardous substances. Overall, our study highlights the urgent need to accelerate the phase-out of hazardous substances, increase the transparency of chemical compositions in plastics to protect human and ecosystem health, and enable the transition to a safe and sustainable circular economy.
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ISBN
ISSN
0013-936X
1520-5851
1520-5851
Language
English
Created during FHNW affiliation
Yes
Strategic action fields FHNW
Publication status
Published
Review
Peer review of the complete publication
Open access category
Hybrid
Citation
Wiesinger, H., Bleuler, C., Christen, V., Favreau, P., Hellweg, S., Langer, M., Pasquettaz, R., Schönborn, A., & Wang, Z. (2024). Legacy and emerging plasticizers and stabilizers in PVC floorings and implications for recycling. Environmental Science & Technology, 58(4), 1894–1907. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c04851