Impacts of temperature on the leaching of organotin compounds from polyvinyl chloride plastics - A study conducted under simulated landfill conditions

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate whether organotin-stabilized polyvinyl chloride) (PVC) products could contribute to the pool of organotins observed in landfill leachates, and if the possible release could be related to different temperatures and landfill degradation phases. Small-scale anaerobic reactors filled with generic household waste, a mixture of inocula, and different PVC plastics were used in the study and incubated at 20, 37, 55, and 70°C. The reactor units incubated at temperatures of 20-55°C underwent the anaerobic degradation phases that are characteristic for the aging of landfilled waste material. There were, however, differences in the duration of the phases as well as in the total biogas production among the units. Under methanogenic conditions greater losses of organotin compounds were observed as compared to acidogenic conditions. It was shown that the release of organotin stabilizers increases considerably at temperatures above the glass transition of the PVC products. A dealkylation from di- into monoalkyltin species was observed, as well as a possible methylation of inorganic tin. However, the main part of the organotins was adsorbed into the solid waste matrix. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers.