The Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, The University of the West Indies, Mona campus, West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Aug;29(37):55666-55674. doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-19751-5. Epub 2022 Mar 23.
Plastics are increasingly being used in consumer products due to its versatility in many applications. However, these plastics may contain inorganic elements that may be harmful to humans. To determine any potential health risk of plastics, it was important to characterize elemental composition of plastics and assess usage patterns. To investigate plastic usage in a typical Jamaican household and to characterize the inorganic elements in consumer plastics using XRF analyzer. About 200 questionnaires were distributed to households to determine the types and quantity of plastics. A total of 130 plastic samples from 7 categories were collected and measured for inorganic elements using handheld XRF. Household plastics were mainly used for storage and personal hygiene products. On average, 10% of plastics were recycled, while 30% were burned. Inorganic elements present in plastic samples were Cl > Ti > Ba > Fe > Zn > Sb > Cr > Br > Cu > V > Pb > As. Elemental concentrations varied based on the category of plastics. Green plastics had the highest concentrations of each type of elements. This study provided useful information on characterizing the different types of elements present in common household plastics. Results from the survey were used to assess participants' attitude and behaviors towards plastics usage and disposal. It was important to obtain a profile of plastics waste from a typical household. This will allow for more targeted strategies to reduce plastics pollution.
由于其在许多应用中的多功能性，塑料在消费产品中的应用越来越广泛。然而，这些塑料可能含有对人体有害的无机元素。为了确定塑料的任何潜在健康风险，重要的是要描述塑料的元素组成并评估使用模式。为了调查牙买加典型家庭的塑料使用情况，并使用 XRF 分析仪描述消费塑料中的无机元素。向家庭分发了大约 200 份问卷，以确定塑料的类型和数量。从 7 个类别中收集了总共 130 个塑料样本，并使用手持式 XRF 测量了无机元素。家用塑料主要用于储存和个人卫生产品。平均而言，10%的塑料被回收，30%的塑料被焚烧。塑料样本中存在的无机元素为 Cl>T i>Ba>Fe>Zn>Sb>Cr>Br>Cu>V>Pb>As。根据塑料的类别，元素浓度有所不同。绿色塑料中每种元素的浓度最高。这项研究提供了关于描述常见家用塑料中存在的不同类型元素的有用信息。调查结果用于评估参与者对塑料使用和处理的态度和行为。从一个典型家庭中获取塑料废物的概况很重要。这将允许采取更有针对性的策略来减少塑料污染。
