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Quantities of bisphenol a leached from plastic waste samples.
1National Institute for Environmental Studies, Ibaraki, Japan.
Chemosphere
|April 16, 1999
Summary
Plastic waste can leach bisphenol A (BPA) into water, with levels up to 139 micrograms/g detected. Polyvinyl chloride products showed the highest BPA leaching due to its use as a stabilizer.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Polymer Science
Background:
- Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical compound widely used in plastic production.
- Concerns exist regarding the potential leaching of BPA from plastic waste into the environment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the leaching of bisphenol A (BPA) from various plastic waste samples into water.
- To determine the concentration of BPA leached under controlled laboratory conditions.
Main Methods:
- Plastic waste samples were cut into small pieces.
- Samples were soaked in water for two weeks at room temperature in the dark.
- Bisphenol A concentration was measured using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).
Main Results:
- Leached bisphenol A concentrations ranged from undetectable to 139 micrograms/g.
- The detection limit for BPA was 2 ng/g with 100 g of plastic waste.
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products exhibited the highest BPA leaching.
Conclusions:
- Bisphenol A can leach from plastic waste into water.
- The use of BPA as a stabilizer in polyvinyl chloride contributes to higher leaching concentrations from these products.