4
The residual fragmentation and chemical groups of plastics vary considerably
when exposed to a natural environment depending on environmental factors, form
of polymer, polymerization technique, and additives used. These low molecular
weight components of polymers may leach easily from plastic products in the environment and cause unconfined risks (Hahladakis et al. 2018). Assessment of exposure risk is required in the context of plastic waste pollution, degraded products,
additives, and their toxicity. From the CLP (classification, labeling, and packaging)
regulation by the European Union Council (2008), polymers have been classified
based on their hazardous effects. They classified hazard level of polymers based on
the risk from their monomers such as either carcinogenic, mutagenic, or both (category 1A or 1B) (i.e., polyurethanes, polyacrylonitriles, polyvinyl chloride, epoxy
resin, and styrene copolymers) (Aulmann and Pechacek 2014). Since, the residual
monomer amounts vary among different products and polymers and are accordingly
hazardous (Halden 2010; Lithner et al. 2011).
Polyolefin is manufactured through polymerization reaction of monomers (i.e.,
polyethylene and polypropylene) or condensation reaction of carboxylic acid and an
alcohol or amine group between their monomer (i.e., polyester or polyamide). The
polymerization reaction is a highly exothermic process, where the monomers or
Fig. 1.1 Classification of plastics (PHA polyhydroxyalkanoate, PLA polyhydroxy lactonoate, PE
polyethylene, PP polypropylene, PVC polyvinylchloride, PS polystyrene, PU polyurethane, PET
polyethylene terephthalate, HDPE high-density polyethylene, LDPE Low-density polyethylene)
A. Kumari et al.
The residual fragmentation and chemical groups of plastics vary considerably
when exposed to a natural environment depending on environmental factors, form
of polymer, polymerization technique, and additives used. These low molecular
weight components of polymers may leach easily from plastic products in the environment and cause unconfined risks (Hahladakis et al. 2018). Assessment of exposure risk is required in the context of plastic waste pollution, degraded products,
additives, and their toxicity. From the CLP (classification, labeling, and packaging)
regulation by the European Union Council (2008), polymers have been classified
based on their hazardous effects. They classified hazard level of polymers based on
the risk from their monomers such as either carcinogenic, mutagenic, or both (category 1A or 1B) (i.e., polyurethanes, polyacrylonitriles, polyvinyl chloride, epoxy
resin, and styrene copolymers) (Aulmann and Pechacek 2014). Since, the residual
monomer amounts vary among different products and polymers and are accordingly
hazardous (Halden 2010; Lithner et al. 2011).
Polyolefin is manufactured through polymerization reaction of monomers (i.e.,
polyethylene and polypropylene) or condensation reaction of carboxylic acid and an
alcohol or amine group between their monomer (i.e., polyester or polyamide). The
polymerization reaction is a highly exothermic process, where the monomers or
Fig. 1.1 Classification of plastics (PHA polyhydroxyalkanoate, PLA polyhydroxy lactonoate, PE
polyethylene, PP polypropylene, PVC polyvinylchloride, PS polystyrene, PU polyurethane, PET
polyethylene terephthalate, HDPE high-density polyethylene, LDPE Low-density polyethylene)
A. Kumari et al.