phthalate free, soft and lightweight-carrying, transparent containers for packaging
purposes. It is harmless but, after a long time and at high temperature, may produce
carcinogens.
Plastic containers based on polyvinyl chloride are the flexible type of plastics.
Phthalates used for its flexibility are harmful chemicals, in addition to bisphenol A,
lead, and dioxin. High-density polyethylene plastic has high density and high tensile
strength, suitable in the manufacturing of refrigerators and large containers and bags.
Low-density polyethylene plastic is heat resistant and highly brittle, has low
tensile strength, may be transparent or opaque, and is used for packaging frozen
foods. Polypropylene is a strong, semitransparent, and heat-resistant polymer, usually used for packaging of yogurt, and medicine. Polystyrene is a petroleum-based
plastic polymer made from styrene monomer, and is also widely used for food
packaging and insulation.
Long exposure to high temperature may produce neurotoxic, hematological,
cytogenetic, and carcinogenic by-products.
The plastic material may be composed of different synthetic materials that are
malleable when heated, and hardened upon cooling. These include various types of
resins, polymer, derivatives, and proteins used instead of the traditional materials
such as metals, wood, and glass. Because of this flexible characteristic, the use of
plastics is ubiquitous. This has largely contributed to the plastic waste disposal
problems seen today that have polluted the marine ecosystem, ocean and seabeds.
2.1.4 Types of Industrial Plastic Wastes
The different types of plastic wastes generated by the plastic industries include
macroplastics, microplastics, nanoplastics, platic toxins, and the additives.
Macroplastics
Plastic particles with diameter ranging from 1 to 5 mm are defined as macroplastics.
These plastics when ingested by marine animals get stuck in their guts and can
be lethal. This type of plastic waste has contaminated the freshwater systems,
shorelines, and oceans (Li et al. 2016).
Microplastics
These plastic particles are less than 1 mm. Because of smaller sizes, microplastics
can penetrate the body of aquatic life or easily ingested and run through the digestive
track, circulatory, or excretory system, and eventually interfere with the proper
functioning of the body system. Once settled inside the body and not excreted out,
2 Identification and Remediation of Plastics as Water Contaminant
53
purposes. It is harmless but, after a long time and at high temperature, may produce
carcinogens.
Plastic containers based on polyvinyl chloride are the flexible type of plastics.
Phthalates used for its flexibility are harmful chemicals, in addition to bisphenol A,
lead, and dioxin. High-density polyethylene plastic has high density and high tensile
strength, suitable in the manufacturing of refrigerators and large containers and bags.
Low-density polyethylene plastic is heat resistant and highly brittle, has low
tensile strength, may be transparent or opaque, and is used for packaging frozen
foods. Polypropylene is a strong, semitransparent, and heat-resistant polymer, usually used for packaging of yogurt, and medicine. Polystyrene is a petroleum-based
plastic polymer made from styrene monomer, and is also widely used for food
packaging and insulation.
Long exposure to high temperature may produce neurotoxic, hematological,
cytogenetic, and carcinogenic by-products.
The plastic material may be composed of different synthetic materials that are
malleable when heated, and hardened upon cooling. These include various types of
resins, polymer, derivatives, and proteins used instead of the traditional materials
such as metals, wood, and glass. Because of this flexible characteristic, the use of
plastics is ubiquitous. This has largely contributed to the plastic waste disposal
problems seen today that have polluted the marine ecosystem, ocean and seabeds.
2.1.4 Types of Industrial Plastic Wastes
The different types of plastic wastes generated by the plastic industries include
macroplastics, microplastics, nanoplastics, platic toxins, and the additives.
Macroplastics
Plastic particles with diameter ranging from 1 to 5 mm are defined as macroplastics.
These plastics when ingested by marine animals get stuck in their guts and can
be lethal. This type of plastic waste has contaminated the freshwater systems,
shorelines, and oceans (Li et al. 2016).
Microplastics
These plastic particles are less than 1 mm. Because of smaller sizes, microplastics
can penetrate the body of aquatic life or easily ingested and run through the digestive
track, circulatory, or excretory system, and eventually interfere with the proper
functioning of the body system. Once settled inside the body and not excreted out,
2 Identification and Remediation of Plastics as Water Contaminant
53