Release of Additives and Monomers from Plastic Wastes

Abstract

Additives and monomers are integral components of plastics or polymers. Bisphenol A (BPA), nonylphenol (NP), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are the common monomer and additives used primarily to improve the quality of plastic materials. They are used as antioxidants, stabilizers, plasticizers, and flame retardants in plastics that are in turn used in the manufacture of a wide range of consumer and industrial products. In this chapter, the release of BPA, NP, and PBDEs from waste plastic materials is presented. A brief background of the physical and chemical characteristics of BPA, NP, and PBDEs, and other factors that influence the release of these monomer and additives from plastics, is also discussed. The overview of the consequential occurrence of these compounds in leachates from landfills and/or municipal solid waste (MSW) dumping sites provides evidence on the release of BPA, NP, and PBDEs from dumped plastic materials.