Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Plasticizers

Plasticizers

Water-reducers, or plasticizers, are chemical admixtures used in concrete to improve strength and workability. These additives reduce the water-cement ratio without compromising workability, lower the cement content while maintaining the same workability, or increase workability to assist concrete placement in inaccessible areas.
Plasticizers function by using surface-active agents to create repulsive electrostatic forces between cement particles. This dispersion enhances the concrete's...

Noble Gases

Noble Gases

The elements in group 18 are noble gases (helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon). They earned the name “noble” because they were assumed to be nonreactive since they have filled valence shells. In 1962, Dr. Neil Bartlett at the University of British Columbia proved this assumption to be false.

Polymer Classification: Architecture

Polymer Classification: Architecture

Polymers are classified as linear or branched on the basis of their chain architecture. The polymer chains in linear polymers have a long chain-like structure with minimal to no branching at all. Even if a polymer features large substituent groups on the monomer, which appear as branches to the skeleton, it is not considered a branched polymer. A branched polymer contains secondary polymer chains that arise from the main polymer chain. The branching occurs when the polymer growth shifts from...

Periodic Classification of the Elements

Periodic Classification of the Elements

The periodic table arranges atoms based on increasing atomic number so that elements with the same chemical properties recur periodically. When their electron configurations are added to the table, a periodic recurrence of similar electron configurations in the outer shells of these elements is observed. Because they are in the outer shells of an atom, valence electrons play the most important role in chemical reactions. The outer electrons have the highest energy of the electrons in an atom...

Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes

Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes

The conversion of alkenes to macromolecules called polymers is a reaction of high commercial importance. The structure of the polymer is defined by a repeating unit, while the terminal groups are considered insignificant. The average degree of polymerization represents the number of repeating units in the polymer molecule and is denoted by the subscript n.

Elements: Chemical Symbols and Isotopes

Elements: Chemical Symbols and Isotopes

A chemical symbol is an abbreviation used to indicate an element or an atom of an element. For example, the symbol for mercury is Hg. The same symbol is used to indicate one atom of mercury (microscopic domain) or to label a container of many atoms of the element mercury (macroscopic domain).
Some symbols are derived from the common English name of the element; others are abbreviations of the name in another language — Latin, Greek or German. For example, the symbol for aluminum (common name)...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Vertical distribution and migration of microplastics in soils from Fars Province, Southwest Iran.

PloS one·2026

Same author

Irradiation does not impact the immunogenicity of food flours used for oral immunotherapy.

The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. Global·2026

Same author

Tritium forms and food availability modulate biological effects in marine mussels.

Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)·2026

Same author

Implementation of a comprehensive template to support personalised care for people with multiple long-term conditions: a mixed-methods evaluation in primary care.

BMJ open·2026

Same author

Aluminium, copper, nickel, lead and zinc in e-liquids from contemporary disposable vapes.

Environmental monitoring and assessment·2026

Same author

Degradation of polyethylene terephthalate bottle fragments in the marine environment: An empirical study of structural and chemical changes.

Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 16, 2025

Extraction of Organochlorine Pesticides from Plastic Pellets and Plastic Type Analysis

Extraction of Organochlorine Pesticides from Plastic Pellets and Plastic Type Analysis

Published on: July 1, 2017

Rare earth elements in plastics.

Andrew Turner¹, John W Scott², Lee A Green²

¹School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK.

The Science of the Total Environment

|February 19, 2021

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Rare earth elements (REEs) are contaminants in consumer plastics, often linked to recycled electronics. Their presence in new plastics suggests broader, generic sources beyond e-waste.

Keywords:

Bromine Contamination ICP-MS Plastics Rare earth elements Recycling

More Related Videos

Detection and Recovery of Palladium, Gold and Cobalt Metals from the Urban Mine Using Novel Sensors/Adsorbents Designated with Nanoscale Wagon-wheel-shaped Pores

Detection and Recovery of Palladium, Gold and Cobalt Metals from the Urban Mine Using Novel Sensors/Adsorbents Designated with Nanoscale Wagon-wheel-shaped Pores

Published on: December 6, 2015

Low-energy Cathodoluminescence for OxyNitride Phosphors

Low-energy Cathodoluminescence for OxyNitride Phosphors

Published on: November 15, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Nov 16, 2025

Extraction of Organochlorine Pesticides from Plastic Pellets and Plastic Type Analysis

Extraction of Organochlorine Pesticides from Plastic Pellets and Plastic Type Analysis

Published on: July 1, 2017

Detection and Recovery of Palladium, Gold and Cobalt Metals from the Urban Mine Using Novel Sensors/Adsorbents Designated with Nanoscale Wagon-wheel-shaped Pores

Detection and Recovery of Palladium, Gold and Cobalt Metals from the Urban Mine Using Novel Sensors/Adsorbents Designated with Nanoscale Wagon-wheel-shaped Pores

Published on: December 6, 2015

Low-energy Cathodoluminescence for OxyNitride Phosphors

Low-energy Cathodoluminescence for OxyNitride Phosphors

Published on: November 15, 2016

Area of Science:

Environmental Chemistry
Materials Science
Analytical Chemistry

Background:

Rare earth elements (lanthanides, Sc, Y) have unique properties crucial for modern electronics.
Concerns exist that REEs may contaminate and serve as tracers for recycled electrical and electronic (e-waste) plastics in consumer goods.

Purpose of the Study:

To determine the presence and concentration of REEs in various consumer plastics.
To investigate potential sources of REEs in plastics, including e-waste recycling and other generic origins.

Main Methods:

Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after acid digestion was used to quantify REEs.
X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) screened for bromine (Br) and antimony (Sb) as flame retardant markers.

Main Results:

One or more REEs were detected in 24 out of 31 consumer plastic samples.
REEs were common in plastics with Br/Sb below flame retardant levels, indicating recycled e-waste, but also found in new plastics and those without Br/Sb.
Total REE concentrations reached up to 8 mg kg^-1.

Conclusions:

REEs are prevalent contaminants in consumer plastics, originating not only from e-waste but also from more generic sources.
Observed REE patterns in consumer plastics mirror those in marine plastics, suggesting widespread and historical contamination.