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AbstractDiphenyl ether (DE) is a chemical compound being used in a number of industries such as soap, detergents, perfumes, adhesive, dyes, herbicides and as a flame retardant in plastics, rubbers and textiles, etc. DE is the final debromination product of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) under anaerobic conditions. The present investigation evaluated the genotoxic, biochemical, histopathological, ultrastructural (SEM) and biomolecular (ATR-FTIR) changes in the zebrafish larvae after DE exposure. After the determination of 96 h LC50 value zebrafish embryos were exposed to sublethal concentrations (¼ LC50 and ½ LC50) of DE. Significantly increased DNA damage in terms of tail length (TL), tail intensity (TI), olive tail moment (OTM) and tail moment (TM) was observed after the DE exposure to zebrafish larvae. Also, increased lipid peroxidation (MDA) and decreased FRAP activity were reported after DE exposure. The catalase (CAT), Glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were reported to be significantly increased and a decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was observed in DE-exposed groups. After DE exposure, Decreased cell viability and increased apoptosis were reported in zebrafish larvae. The histological and ultrastructural (SEM) analysis revealed the alterations in the zebrafish larvae exposed to DE. The ATR-FTIR study revealed the changes in the biomolecules such as DNA and protein after the DE exposure. The present study will help to understand the destructive aspects of DE in the early life stages of aquatic organisms and could be utilized to assess environmental risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wooden fishing vessels are vulnerable to fire hazards that threaten vessel investment and security. This study proposes the use of fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) as a flame retardant laminate to coat wooden ship hulls. FRP consists of glass fibers reinforced with Unsaturated Polyester (UP). The addition of aluminum trihydrate (ATH) filler to the resin can increase FRP flame retardant. FRP laminated specimens of various ATH compositions are manufactured and tested for fire resistance using UL 94 Horizontal standard. The results showed that the addition of ATH increased fire resistance significantly, especially at a concentration of 40%, effectively reducing the burn rate to 8 mm / min. This research offers a solution for FRP lamination with ATH flame retardant filler to improve the safety of wooden fishing vessels without compromising other important properties. Proper use can minimize major damage to fishing vessels during fires and give firefighters more time to extinguish fires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the high influx of low-cost plastic toys on the market, there is growing concern about the safety of such toys. Some of these plastic toys contains hazardous chemicals like polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) due to the use of recycled plastics in new toy manufacturing. Here, we investigated if toys marketed in Europe are compliant with EU directives to assess the safety of currently used children's toys and identify implications of PBDE content in toys. Results: Eighty-four toys purchased from international toy retailers were screened for bromine using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and 11 of those with bromine content higher than 500 µg/g were analyzed for ten PBDEs using GC–HRMS. PBDEs were detected in all 11 toys. Ʃ10PBDE concentrations ranged up to 23.5 mg/g (with a median concentration of 8.61 mg/g), with BDE-209 being the most abundant compound (4.40 mg/g). Eight samples exceeded the EU's Low POP Content Limit (LPCL) of 500 µg/g for the Ʃ10PBDEs by 6–47 times and the Unintentional Trace Contaminant (UTC) limits of 10 µg/g for Deca-BDE by 12–800 times. Conclusions: PBDEs were up to percent levels, suggesting direct recycling of flame retarded plastic, e.g., e-waste plastics, into toy components. This is a call for concern and requires intervention from all stakeholders involved in the toy market. Overall, the occurrence of non-compliant toys in the EU market, as indicated in this study is primarily attributed to gaps in regulations, inadequate legislation for recycled plastics, the rise of online sales, complexities in global and national supply chains, and economic challenges. Failure to address these issues will hinder the efforts of the plastics industry to transition into a circular economy. This suggests that more actions are needed to address gaps in cross-border enforcement, and stricter sanctions are required for toy manufacturers who fail to adhere to regulations and safety standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment carried out halogen-free flame retardant modification treatment on polyethylene-based wood-plastic composite materials. The results showed that after adding flame retardant, the ignition time of the material increased to 76 seconds, an increase of 22 seconds. At combustion temperatures above 530°C, only a small amount of the material's residue continues to evaporate. When the temperature rises to 800°C, the difference in the residual carbon content of the samples gradually becomes larger. The residual carbon content of sample 1# is only 10.1%. At this time, the residual carbon content of samples 7#, 8# and 9# are respectively Reaching 27.12%, 27.09% and 25.60%. The above results show that the thermal stability of composite materials has been greatly improved after adding nano-flame retardants, providing new ideas and methods for the application of flame retardant and halogen-free flame retardant materials of wood-plastic composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Due to their adverse environmental and health impacts, brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are listed in Annex A of the Stockholm Convention for global elimination of production and use. Their health impacts include endocrine disruption, cancer, reproductive effects, and neurobehavioral and developmental disorders in children. Emerging literature suggests that legacy POP-BFRs are increasingly found in consumer products, including those used for and by children. The presence of legacy POP-BFRs in children's products is a big concern. Children are more vulnerable to chemical exposure risks than adults because their bodies are still developing and fragile. The rising problem is contributed to by the global push towards a circular economy that encourages responsible production and consumption by practising the recycling of waste materials. Waste materials such as electronic and electrical equipment plastics often contain POP-BFRs. POP-BFRs in waste materials are transferred into new products through recycling. The recycled products have become a potential source of exposure to legacy POP-BFRs for vulnerable populations, particularly children. Our scoping review aims to map and summarise the emerging literature. This information is needed to inform evidence-based policies to protect children from toxic exposures. Methods: Our scoping review will follow a methodological framework proposed by Arksey and O'Malley. Peer-reviewed and grey literature on the topic will be retrieved from electronic databases and other relevant sites. Two reviewers will screen titles and abstracts, followed by a full-text review of studies for eligibility based on the established inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data will be extracted, and findings will be mapped in a table according to study settings, types of children's products tested, and concentration of legacy POP-BFRs in contaminated products. A map chart will be created to display how contaminated products are spread globally. Discussion: Because of their unique vulnerabilities, children continue to suffer disproportionate exposures to toxic chemicals compared to adults. Information on potential exposures, particularly for children, is crucial to make evidence-based policies. We intend to map and summarise the emerging literature on legacy POP-BFRs in children's products. Findings will be disseminated to relevant stakeholders through publishing in a peer-reviewed scientific journal and policy briefs. Systematic review registration: The protocol is registered with the Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/7KDE5). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the generation of large quantities of medical waste and highlighted the importance of efficient waste management systems. One good example of this is rapid antigen tests, which contain valuable resources, and which are usually incinerated after their use. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential of waste rapid antigen test cassettes (RATCs) as a resource for the preparation of sustainable flame-retardant plastics. Milled RATCs were compounded with different concentrations (10–30 wt.%) of aluminium diethylphosphinate (ADP) and injection moulded into test specimens. Prepared samples were exposed to ultraviolet (UV) ageing for varying durations and characterised by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), tensile tests, Charpy impact tests, and vertical burning tests. FT-IR analysis revealed that RATCs are composed mainly of high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), which was further confirmed by suitable glass transition temperatures (Tg) determined by DSC and DMA. The addition of ADP resulted in progressive embrittlement of HIPS with increasing concentration, while flammability decreased significantly and reached V-1 classification at loading of 30 wt.%. UV ageing caused photo-oxidative degradation of HIPS, which resulted in decreased strain-at-break, while flammability was not affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global reserve of antimony is gradually declining while its demand continuously grows, rendering antimony an increasingly scarce metal. Antimony has been highlighted as a critical raw material in the EU owing to its economic significance and high supply risk. Due to the dispersed uses and low antimony concentration of the main antimony end-use, i.e. flame retardant in plastics, little antimony has been recovered from waste plastics to date. Many countries will have to rely on recovering antimony from refractory ores and metallurgical residues. For the purpose of efficient and selective antimony recovery with minimal economic cost and environmental impact, researchers proposed various innovative pyrometallurgical, hydrometallurgical, and electrochemical processes. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art technologies for the antimony separation and recovery from refractory ores and metallurgical residues. The advantages and limitations of these technologies are discussed with respect to antimony recovery efficiency and the impurity level of the products. Furthermore, future perspectives regarding technological trends and industrial applications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document provides an overview of the current state of boron chemistry, focusing on its unique structures and applications. It begins with the study of boron hydrides and the elucidation of their structures by chemists Alfred Stock and William N. Lipscomb. The development of organoboron chemistry, initiated by Herbert C. Brown, led to important applications in organic synthesis, such as the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction. The synthesis of polyhedral boron hydrides expanded the range of boron structures, and their aromatic nature gives them unique properties. The document also highlights specific research articles on the synthesis of zinc borates, boron-based compounds as anticancer agents, and the design of novel tungstaborane clusters. The special issue focuses on the chemistry of boron compounds, including the synthesis of ruthenacarboranes with potential applications as catalysts in organic processes. The authors express gratitude to all the contributors and anticipate further developments in boron chemistry. [Extracted from the article]

• APP flame retardant was detected in polyolefins by industrial hyperspectral imaging. • SWIR spectra and PCA enables inline quantitative estimation of APP. • Enabling APP concentration detection down to 1.46 wt% in LDPE. • Enabling APP concentration detection down to 1.65 wt% in PP. • Setting industrial relevant method of phosphor-flame retardant plastic waste recycling. Due to developments in European legislation, several halogenated flame retardants are banned due to their toxicity, and the use of phosphor-based flame retardants in plastics is increasing. A revision of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) flame retardant revealed that it is an eye irritant and toxic, thus posing a health issue. Hence APP identification is needed for enabling safe recycling of plastic waste streams. Herein an industrial in-line method for quantitative estimation of APP in low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) is demonstrated, by using an industrial hyperspectral imaging system (955 to 1700 nm) and principal component analysis (PCA). Spectra of plastic samples with varying concentrations of APP were applied to build and calibrate a quantitative determination method. PCA and band area ratios (of selected bands) were made and fitted with continuous functions for concentration determination. The plastic samples were characterised by elemental analysis, attenuated total reflection, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. The PCA model outperforms the band area ratio model and predicts APP concentrations between 24.3 and 1.5 wt% in LDPE (R2 = 0.98) and 20.0 and 1.7 wt% in PP (R2 = 0.97). Unknown samples with APP ranging from 23.7 to 2.7 wt% in LDPE and from 18.6 to 2.3 wt% in PP were predicted and correlated to the actual concentrations. The proposed approach is valuable for the plastic recyclers and waste management industries where inline concentration determination of flame retardants is key. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a group of flame retardants used in plastics, textiles, polyurethane foam, and other materials. They contain two halogenated aromatic rings bonded by an ester bond and are classified according to the number and position of bromine atoms. Due to their widespread use, PBDEs have been detected in soil, air, water, dust, and animal tissues. Besides, PBDEs have been found in various tissues, including liver, kidney, adipose, brain, breast milk and plasma. The continued accumulation of PBDEs has raised concerns about their potential toxicity, including hepatotoxicity, kidney toxicity, gut toxicity, thyroid toxicity, embryotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, and immunotoxicity. Previous studies have suggested that there may be various mechanisms contributing to PBDEs toxicity. The present study aimed to outline PBDEs' toxic effects and mechanisms on different organ systems. Given PBDEs' bioaccumulation and adverse impacts on human health and other living organisms, we summarize PBDEs' effects and potential toxicity mechanisms and tend to broaden the horizons to facilitate the design of new prevention strategies for PBDEs-induced toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allyl 2,4,6-tribromophenyl ether (TBP-AE) is a flame retardant that is added to plastics to improve their fire resistance. This kind of additive is hazardous to both human health and the environment. As any other BFRs, TBP-AE resists photo-degradation in the environment and hence materials laden with TBP-AE are to be dibrominated to avoid environmental pollution. Mechanochemical degradation of TBP-AE is a promising approach with potential industrial applications since it does not require high temperatures nor it generates any secondary pollutants. A planetary ball milling simulation experiment was designed to study TBP-AE's mechanochemical debromination. To report products from the mechanochemical process, a variety of characterization techniques were used. The characterization methods included gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The effects of various co-milling reagent types, co-milling reagent concentrations with raw material, time, and revolution speed on mechanochemical debromination efficiency have been thoroughly investigated. The Fe/Al2O3 mixture entails the highest debromination efficiency of 23%. However, when using a Fe/Al2O3 mixture, neither the reagent concentration nor the revolution speed influenced the debromination efficiency. In case of using only Al2O3, the next viable reagent, it was revealed that while increasing the revolution, speed improved debromination efficiency to a certain point, and increasing it any further left the debromination efficiency unchanged. In addition, the results showed that an equal mass ratio of TBP-AE to Al2O3 promoted degradation more than an increase in the ratio of Al2O3 to TBP-AE. The addition of ABS polymer largely inhibits the reaction between Al2O3 and TBP-AE, which hindered alumina's ability to capture organic bromine, causing a significant decrease in the debromination efficiency when model of waste printed circuit board (WPCB) is considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Plastics Science & Technology / Suliao Ke-Ji is the property of Plastics Science & Technology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The document provides a list of upcoming conferences and events in various fields such as chemistry, construction materials, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals. The events are organized by different groups and organizations and cover a range of topics including formulation, chemical synthesis, polymer durability, and biogas. The conferences are held in different locations around the world, including the UK, Germany, Thailand, and the US. Library patrons conducting research in these areas may find these events useful for networking and staying updated on the latest developments in their fields. [Extracted from the article]

The distribution of 9 organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) was determined in plastic debris and soil samples separated from twenty soil samples collected from an abandoned e-waste recycling area. Tris-(chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCPP) and triphenyl phosphate (TPhP) were the main chemicals, with median concentrations of 124–1930 ng/g and 143–1170 ng/g in soil, and 712–803 ng/g and 600–953 ng/g in plastics, respectively. Plastics contributed less than 10% of the total OPFR mass in bulk soil samples. No apparent OPFR distribution trend was observed in different sizes of plastics and soil. The ecological risks of plastics and OPFRs were estimated by the species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) method, which resulted in lower predicted no-effect concentrations (PNECs) of TPhP and decabromodiphenyl ether 209 (BDE 209) than the standard values derived from limited toxicity tests. In addition, the PNEC of polyethene (PE) was lower than the plastic concentration in the soil of a previous study. TPhP and BDE 209 had high ecological risks with risk quotients (RQs) > 0.1, and RQ of TPhP was among the highest values in literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new generation of structural codes for stainless steel allow carrying out global plastic analyses on certain types of stainless steel structures with plastic cross-sections at room temperature if the joints conforming the structure are classified as full-strength joints, a capability that has been long recognised for carbon steel structures. However, the requirements for the fire design of carbon and stainless steel structures in current and upcoming European design standards are still primarily based on the resistance of individual members, disregarding the redistribution of internal forces and strain hardening effects. Recent studies have proven that carbon and stainless steel frames with plastic cross-sections and full-strength joints are capable of redistributing internal forces at elevated temperatures, and failed describing global plastic collapse mechanisms under fire situation, suggesting that system effects are also relevant at elevated temperatures and could be taken into account for more efficient designs. On this basis, this paper develops an extensive numerical study focused on carbon and stainless steel frames under fire situation, and proposes a new methodology based on plastic global analysis to estimate the resistance of such structures under fire situation accounting for their redistribution capacity, improving the accuracy of the predicted fire time resistances significantly for the two materials. Parametric study on steel frames at room and elevated temperatures conducted. Plastic redistribution in steel frames investigated numerically. New formulation for assessing fire resistance of steel frames presented. Proposal includes internal force redistribution capacity of systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc hydroxystannate (ZHS) with transition metal zinc and tin is a promising inorganic flame retardant in the field of wood flour/polyvinyl chloride composites (WP). Unfortunately, the cubic structure of ZHS results in poor dispersion in WP matrices, thereby reducing its mechanical properties in WP. Here, ZHS was fabricated on the surface of nano-montmorillonite (MMT) to form a zero-dimensional (0D)/ two-dimensional (2D) structure, which could improve the flame retardancy, tensile and bending strength of WP. Comparing with WP, total heat release and total smoke production of WP modified with 6 wt% MMT/ZHS composites decreased by 60.06 % and 30.18 %, respectively. Moveover, the tensile and flexural strength of the optimal WP increased by 28.00 % and 19.54 %, respectively. The unique microstructure of 0D/2D MMT/ZHS endows WP with outstanding fire satety and mechanical properties, which is conducive to the application in various fields. [Display omitted] • MMT/ZHS nanohybrids were prepared by a simple strategy. • MMT/ZHS nanohybrids enhance the thermal stability, mechanical and flame-retardant properties of WP. • Zinc chloride and tin chloride synergistically catalyzed WP into a dense and continuous char residues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimony trioxide (AT) is used as a flame retardant in fabrics and plastics. Occupational exposure in miners and smelters is mainly through inhalation and dermal contact. Chronic inhalation exposure to AT particulates in B6C3F1/N mice and Wistar Han rats resulted in increased incidences and tumor multiplicities of alveolar/bronchiolar carcinomas (ABCs). In this study, we demonstrated Kras (43%) and Egfr (46%) hotspot mutations in mouse lung tumors (n = 80) and only Egfr (50%) mutations in rat lung tumors (n = 26). Interestingly, there were no differences in the incidences of these mutations in ABCs from rats and mice at exposure concentrations that did and did not exceed the pulmonary overload threshold. There was increased expression of p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) (Erk1/2) protein in ABCs harboring mutations in Kras and/or Egfr, confirming the activation of MAPK signaling. Transcriptomic analysis indicated significant alterations in MAPK signaling such as ephrin receptor signaling and signaling by Rho-family GTPases in AT-exposed ABCs. In addition, there was significant overlap between transcriptomic data from mouse ABCs due to AT exposure and human pulmonary adenocarcinoma data. Collectively, these data suggest chronic AT exposure exacerbates MAPK signaling in ABCs and, thus, may be translationally relevant to human lung cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of plastics is rapidly rising around the world causing a major challenge for recycling. Lately, a lot of emphasis has been put on recycling of packaging plastics, but, in addition, there are high volume domains with low recycling rate such as automotive, building and construction, and electric and electronic equipment. Waste plastics from these domains often contain additives that restrict their recycling due to the hazardousness and challenges they bring to chemical and mechanical recycling. As such, the first step for enabling the reuse of these fractions is the identification of these additives in the waste plastics. This study compares the ability of different optical spectroscopy technologies to detect two different plastic additives, fire retardants ammonium polyphosphate and aluminium trihydrate, inside polypropylene plastic matrix. The detection techniques near-infrared (NIR), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy as well as hyperspectral imaging (HSI) in the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) and mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) range were evaluated. The results indicate that Raman, NIR and SWIR HSI have the potential to detect these additives inside the plastic matrix even at relatively low concentrations. As such, utilising these methods has the possibility to facilitate sorting and recycling of as of yet unused plastic waste streams, although more research is needed in applying them in actual waste sorting facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) are commonly used in electric and electronic products in high concentrations to prevent or retard fire. Health concerns related to flame retardants (FRs) include carcinogenicity, endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity, and reproductive and developmental toxicity. Globally, a lack of transparency related to chemicals in products and limited restrictions on use of FRs in electronics have led to widespread use and dissemination of harmful FRs. Despite the lack of transparency and restrictions, plastics from electronics are often recycled and can be incorporated in household items that do not require flame retardancy, resulting in potentially high and unnecessary exposure. This study sought to determine whether black plastic household products sold on the U.S. market contained emerging and phased-out FRs and whether polymer type was predictive of contamination. A total of 203 products were screened for bromine (Br), and products containing >50 ppm Br were analyzed for BFRs, OPFRs, and plastic polymers (e.g. acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, high impact polystyrene, polypropylene). FRs were found in 85% of analyzed products, with total FR concentrations ranging up to 22,800 mg/kg. FRs detected include the restricted compound deca-BDE, which was used widely in electronics casings, as well as its replacements decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) and 2,4,6-Tris(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)-1,3,5-triazine (TBPP-TAZ) along with associated compound 2,4,6-tribromophenol (2,4,6-TBP), recently detected in breast milk. Plastic typically used in electronics (styrene-based) contained significantly higher levels of ∑FRs than plastics less typically used for electronics (polypropylene and nylon). Estimation of exposure to BDE-209 from contaminated kitchen utensils indicated users would have a median intake of 34,700 ng/day, exceeding estimates for intake from dust and diet. The detection of FRs in collected household products indicates that recycling, without the necessary transparency and restrictions to ensure safety, is resulting in unexpected exposure to toxic flame retardants in household items. [Display omitted] • FRs specific to electronics were detected in non-electronic household items bought in the U.S. • 85% of products with >50 ppm Br contained toxic FRs. • ∑FR concentrations ranged up to 22,800 mg/kg. • Items containing polymers used in electronics had significantly higher FR levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of three relevant organic pollutants: chlorpyrifos (CPF), a widely used insecticide, triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), employed as flame retardant and as plastic additive, and bisphenol A (BPA), used primarily as plastic additive, on sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) larvae, were investigated. Experiments consisted of exposing sea urchin fertilized eggs throughout their development to the 4-arm pluteus larval stage. The antioxidant enzymes glutathione reductase (GR) and catalase (CAT), the phase II detoxification enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST), and the neurotransmitter catabolism enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were assessed in combination with responses at the individual level (larval growth). CPF was the most toxic compound with 10 and 50% effective concentrations (EC10 and EC50) values of 60 and 279 μg/l (0.17 and 0.80 μM), followed by TPHP with EC10 and EC50 values of 224 and 1213 μg/l (0.68 and 3.7 μM), and by BPA with EC10 and EC50 values of 885 and 1549 μg/l (3.9 and 6.8 μM). The toxicity of the three compounds was attributed to oxidative stress, to the modulation of the AChE response, and/or to the reduction of the detoxification efficacy. Increasing trends in CAT activity were observed for BPA and, to a lower extent, for CPF. GR activity showed a bell-shaped response in larvae exposed to CPF, whereas BPA caused an increasing trend in GR. GST also displayed a bell-shaped response to CPF exposure and a decreasing trend was observed for TPHP. An inhibition pattern in AChE activity was observed at increasing BPA concentrations. A potential role of the GST in the metabolism of CPF was proposed, but not for TPHP or BPA, and a significant increase of AChE activity associated with oxidative stress was observed in TPHP-exposed larvae. Among the biochemical responses, the GR activity was found to be a reliable biomarker of exposure for sea urchin early-life stages, providing a first sign of damage. These results show that the integration of responses at the biochemical level with fitness-related responses (e.g., growth) may help to improve knowledge about the impact of toxic substances on marine ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Plastics Science & Technology / Suliao Ke-Ji is the property of Plastics Science & Technology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Plastics Science & Technology / Suliao Ke-Ji is the property of Plastics Science & Technology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Recycled polymeric materials recovered from E‐waste, have gained importance in the recent years, due to the value addition of properties in the recycled materials. In the current work, a polymeric blends formulated from keyboard waste plastics was value added using a flame retardant (FR), and these plastics are not incorporated with FR during its processing. This work was carried out to enhance the FR property of polymers recovered from keyboard waste, and to study the effects of these additives on the mechanical properties of the polymeric blends. The FR tri phenyl phosphate (TPP), and a hybrid FR combining TPP with sepiolite, was added in different proportions to the blend. The FR blends were analyzed with UL‐94 and LOI and it was observed that the blends with hybrid FR showed higher FR properties, as the results of UL‐94 and LOI showed V‐1 and 29%, respectively. The cone calorimetry results showed that the peak heat release rate of the blends was improved from 704 to 533 KJ/m2. The gas and condensed phase reaction has been explained with an illustration. FTIR and TGA with and without the FR were performed. The mechanical properties of the blends drastically reduced after the addition of FRs, hence an impact modifier was added in order to regain the lost mechanical properties, and a morphological analysis was carried out to compare the influence of impact modifier in the polymeric blend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Environmental impact was modelled of 25 polymers and 10 recycling technologies. • Results for some polymers challenge the existing plastic recycling hierarchy. • Sorting and cleaning is most crucial for engineering and high performance plastics. • Through case studies, the model is applied to existing recycling challenges. • On an European scale, most CO 2 reduction is obtained through polyolefin recycling. To ensure a circular economy for plastics, insights in the environmental impacts of recycling and optimal recycling choices for specific plastic polymers are crucial. This was obtained by determining the environmental performance of 10 selected recycling technologies with varying TRL levels, using the chemical properties of the top 25 produced polymers in Europe. The results were collected in a life cycle assessment (LCA) 'matrix' model. To simulate realistic plastic recycling challenges, case studies of PE/PP foils from municipal waste and ABS plastic with brominated flame retardants were developed, to be used as an addition to the LCA matrix model results. Potential emission reduction was assessed by combining LCA matrix outcomes with European polymer demand data. The LCA matrix model illustrates that potential environmental performance of recycling technologies varied strongly per polymer type and did not always follow the state-of-the-art recycling hierarchy. Commodity plastics performed well with tertiary recycling technologies, such as gasification and pyrolysis to monomers; secondary mechanical recycling was outperformed. A focus on primary recycling is environmentally beneficial for most engineering and high performance plastics. To enhance the performance of primary recycling technologies, a higher purity and improved sorting is required. As demonstrated in the case studies, low sorting efficiencies due to impurities reduces positive environmental impacts. Hence, optimal environmental performance of recycling is obtained where pre-treatment (sorting, cleaning) is adapted to the recycling technology. According to the model, recycling the 15 most demanded polymers in Europe reduces CO 2 emissions from plastics by 73% or 200 Mtonne CO 2 eq. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • ATH was detected in polyolefins by industrial hyperspectral imaging. • SWIR spectra and PCA enables inline quantitative estimation of ATH. • Enabling ATH concentration detection down to 1.60 wt% in LDPE. • Enabling ATH concentration detection down to 2.47 wt% in PP. • Setting industrial tool for inorganic flame-retardant plastic waste sorting. The extensive use of aluminium trihydrate (ATH) flame retardant in plastics poses challenges and hazards in plastic waste recycling, thus it is crucial to accurately identify ATH. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of an industrial in-line shortwave infrared (SWIR) hyperspectral imaging system and principal component analysis (PCA) for detecting and quantifying ATH in low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP). The samples were characterized by elemental analysis, ATR-FTIR, DSC, and TGA. A quantitative estimation model was developed by analysing spectra with varying ATH concentrations. PCA and SWIR band area ratio were fitted to estimate the ATH concentration. The PCA model outperformed the SWIR band area ratio model and achieved good predictions between measured and predicted ATH concentrations ranging from 22.9 to 1.6 wt% (R2 LDPE = 0.95) in LDPE and from 24.0 to 2.5 wt% in PP (R2 PP = 0.94). The obtained in-line control tool is relevant to the recycling industries, enabling real-time assessment of additives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although listed in the Stockholm Convention, commercial Decabromodiphenyl ether (c-DecaBDE) is still being produced in many factories and used as a kind of flame retardants primarily in plastic polymers and textiles. Widespread use offered many exposure ways of its major ingredient, BDE-209, to humans and the environment. Most current studies of BDE-209 focused on the health effects and toxicity of thyroid disruption, oxidative stress, neurotoxicity, and reproductive function, but seldom spread light on the relationship between neurobehavioral toxicity and visual dysfunction. Using zebrafish larvae model, we hope to uncover the potential relationship between the neurobehavioral and visual effects after exposure to BDE-209. Results: BDE-209 exposure could not induce the changes of locomotion and path angle in 5 days post fertilization (dpf) larvae; however, 5 μg/L BDE-209 exposure caused locomotor hyperactivity and more responsive turns at 7 dpf. The social activity of 50 μg/L exposure group was significantly higher than the control group at 6 dpf. Besides, 5 and 50 μg/L exposure caused the upregulation and downregulation of four cone opsin genes, respectively. The expression of rhodopsin gene was not influenced by both concentration exposures. Conclusion: The neurobehavioral effects induced by 5 μg/L BDE-209 exposure were consistent with the upregulation of four cone opsins in 7 dpf larvae. The low concentration of BDE-209 exposure caused the hyperactivity and more responsive turns of larvae possibly contributing to the disruption on the cone opsin expressions of larvae. Our results would provide the mechanism cue of neurobehavioral toxicity after BDE-209 exposure and call for more attention on the ecotoxicology studies of BDE-209. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of organic pollutants. They are used as flame retardants that caused worldwide environmental concern. This study investigated the occurrence of PBDEs in soils and dusts from three plastic manufacture plants and surrounding areas in Eastern China. A total of 13 PBDE congeners were detected using gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (electron impact ionization). The total concentrations of PBDEs range from 2.21 to 558, 19.7–4916, and 8.70–18,451 ng/g dry weight in the soils of three sampling areas, with mean of 1004 ng/g d w; in dusts, the concentrations range from 7240 to 10,469, 684–4482, and 193–3989 ng/g d w, with an overall mean of 3619 ng/g d w. The most abundant congener is the BDE-209, followed by BDE-153 and BDE-85. This indicates that the brominated flame retardant added in the plastic manufacture is mainly the commodity decabromodiphenyl ether. In comparison with other polluted areas around the world, the PBDE concentrations in the soils of the plastic manufacture plants are similar to those in soils of waste plastic disposal areas and PBDEs production sites, but orders of magnitude higher than those in agricultural soils, mountain soils and rural soils. Daily exposure was estimated using the average concentrations of the pollution sites. The hazard quotient shows that the PBDEs pose considerable human health risks, especially to children, to which attention should be paid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel cardanol‐based siloxane (SAECD), which has silicon groups and reactive epoxy groups, was synthesized. Its structure was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance. Then, phenolic foams (PFs) modified with different contents of SAECD were prepared. While addition of appropriate amount of SAECD into resin matrix enhances the flexural strength of PFs, incorporation of SAECD into PFs leads to a reduced pulverization ratio. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) increases continuously with the increasing addition of SAECD into PFs. The results of the cone calorimeter test showed that the addition of 3% SAECD could effectively reduce the heat release rate and total heat release of the foam by the condensed phase flame retardant mechanism. The TTI of the modified foam was delayed by 19 s; the PHRR, mean HRR, and THR of the modified foams decreased by 9.10%, 4.11%, and 7.55%, respectively, compared with those of the pristine PF. In addition to the increase in the toughness of the PF, SAECD addition can also improve the flame retardant properties of the PF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Single step and two-step pyrolysis of waste computer casing plastic were conducted to optimize both the product distribution and characteristics of liquid products. The single step pyrolysis was performed under various final temperatures ranging from 350 to 600 °C. The two-step pyrolysis was undertaken by initially increasing the temperatures to 350–380 °C and holding for 15 min, followed by a further increase to a peak temperature of 500 °C. The pyrolysis kinetic studies showed the activation energy of the two stages against conversion and revealed the synergistic reactions between BFR additives and plastic matrix. In the single step pyrolysis, fixed bed experiments showed that the final pyrolysis temperature had a significant influence on the product yield. The highest yield of 45.3 wt% oil was produced at 500 °C. The oil products mainly consisted of aromatic compounds, phenolic compounds, nitrogen-containing compounds, and approximately 11.3–15.9 wt% of toxic bromine. For the two-step pyrolysis, the impurities of O-, N- and Br-containing compounds were mainly enriched in the pyrolytic oils from the first step. Comparatively, more than 57% of single aromatic compounds was obtained in the pyrolytic oils from the second step, with less than 2.0 wt% of bromine. Meanwhile, the depolymerization of the plastic for the formation of styrene was promoted at the second step. The results suggested that in the two stage pyrolysis, bromine can be transferred into the liquid phase in the first stage, thus producing bromine containing compounds deficient oil in the second stage. Highlights • Two-step pyrolysis of e-waste plastics was proposed for clean fuel production. • The pyrolysis kinetics of e-waste plastics was studied. • Intense interactions between flame retardant additives and plastic matrix occurred at 350–400 °C. • Heteroatom-enriched oils were obtained at low temperature during two-step pyrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The occurrence and profiles of 15 organophosphate flame retardants/plasticizers (OPFRs) (3 chlorinated [Cl-], 2 aryl-, 5 non-Cl alkyl-, and 5 other types of OPFRs) were investigated in indoor air and dust collected from various microenvironments, including homes in the Albany area of New York State, United States. Concurrent indoor air and dust were collected from floors and window sills at homes and fire stations to investigate the partitioning of OPFRs between the vapor and particulate phases of air and dust. The total concentrations of OPFRs in bulk air (vapor plus particulate phases) were found at several tens to hundreds of ng/m3, with mean concentrations that ranged from 0.12 ng/m3 for tripropyl phosphate (TPP) to 43.8 ng/m3 for tris(1-chloro-2-propyl)phosphate (TCIPP). TCIPP, triethyl phosphate (TEP) and tris(2-butoxyethyl)phosphate (TBOEP) were the predominant compounds found in bulk air, vapor phase, and dust. Among the ten types of microenvironments studied, indoor air samples collected from automobile parts shops contained the highest concentrations of OPFRs (mean: 258 ng/m3), followed by electronics shops, nail salons/shops that sell nail polish, and home construction/interior products shops. Estimated daily intakes of OPFRs via inhalation of air, dermal sorption, and ingestion of dust were 149, 279, and 390 ng/kg bw/day, respectively, which suggested that dust ingestion is an important source of human exposure to OPFRs among the indoor exposure pathways studied. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • 15 OPFRs were measured in indoor air and dust from various microenvironments. • TCIPP was the predominant OPFR found in bulk air. • Automobile-part shops contained the highest concentrations of OPFRs. • Dust ingestion is a major source of human exposure to OPFRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • A novel polymeric mono-component intumescent flame retardant defined as PPMPNG was synthesized. • PPMPNG presented superior fire retardant efficiency for polyethylene. • PPMPNG could exert flame retardant effect in gas and condensed phase simultaneously. Abstract A novel polymeric mono-component intumescent flame retardant poly(piperazine methylphosphonic acid neopentylglycol ester) (PPMPNG) was synthesized from methylphosphonic acid, piperazine and neopentyl glycol. Its chemical structure was detailed characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 13C and 31P solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance. PPMPNG was incorporated into polyethylene (PE) and the flame retardancy, thermal properties and flame retardant mechanism of materials were investigated. The samples with the thickness of 1.6 mm passed UL-94 V-0 rating during vertical burning tests and the limiting oxygen index was 25.6% when 23 wt% PPMPNG was introduced. The results of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the addition of PPMPNG promoted the degradation and carbonization of materials at the beginning and improved the char residue amount and thermal stability of FR-PE at high temperature. Cone calorimeter tests indicated that the peak value of heat release rate was considerably reduced with the incorporation of PPMPNG. The flame retardant mechanism showed PPMPNG exerted isolation effect in condensed phased and quenched active free radical effect in gas phase. The combustion intensity was reduced and the flame was suppressed and even extinguished, thus a high efficiency for PE matrix was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the long glass fiber‐reinforced polypropylene/red phosphorus (PP/LGF/RP) flame retardant composites were prepared by melting blend. The effects of thermo‐oxidative aging on the mechanical properties, morphologies, and fire resistances of the PP/LGF/RP composites with different thermal exposure time at 140°C were investigated and discussed. The results showed that the crystallinity of PP in the PP/LGF/RP composites decreased and the mechanical properties decreased significantly with increasing the aging time. The scanning electronic microscopy photos indicated that the obvious reticular crack appeared on the surface of PP/LGF/RP composites and larger cracks appeared in local scope with an increase of aging time. The results from energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDAX) proved that RP migrated from the inner to the surface of the composites. And the corresponding temperatures of maximum weight loss rate (Tmax) of the PP/LGF/RP composites remained nearly unchanged, but the initial decomposition temperature (T5%) increased firstly, and then decreased. The flame retardant performances from the UL‐94 tests, limiting oxygen index, and cone calorimeter test showed that the thermo‐oxidative aging had a little effect on the flammability of the PP/LGF/RP composites. The thermal stability of PP/LGF/RP composites was improved slightly after thermo‐oxidative aging. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:2634–2642, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cheap and effective flame retarded EPS system was developed by using a high silica content based fly ash (FA) synergistic with aluminum hydroxide (ATH) in the thermosetting phenolic resin (PF) coating layer. In this study, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyses confirmed the formation of a barrier layer which uniformly encapsulated each EPS microsphere. The flammability of EPS-PF/ATH/FA foam with different compositions were characterized by the limited oxygen index (LOI) and UL-94 vertical burning tests, an evident flame retardant effect has been observed with up to 29.6% LOI value and UL-94 V-0 rating. The cone calorimetric analysis (CONE) indicated that the heat release rate (HRR), total heat release (THR) and smoke production rate (SPR) of the resulting EPS-PF/ATH/FA foam decreased obviously, and the foam maintained structural integrity after combustion. The thermal stability of EPS-PF/ATH/FA foams has been evaluated by the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It is obvious that the presence of PF-ATH/FA flame retarded binder has delayed the pyrolysis process of EPS matrix by about 10 °C. From analysis conducted on the combusted residues, it can be inferred that the dominant flame retardant action of EPS-PF/ATH/FA foam occurred in the compact char layer, which acted as an effective fire-proofing and heat shielding barrier in the condensed phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: In this study, we evaluate the changes in physical properties and flame retardancy of HIPS composites after natural aging tests in Turpan (high sunlight radiation dose and dry) and Qionghai (high temperature and rainy) in China for 21 months. The HIPS composite aged in Turpan revealed a higher chromatic aberration than that in Qionghai due to the higher sunlight radiation dose. After aging tests for 21 months, the mechanical properties and the peak heat release of the HIPS composite aged in Qionghai decreased by more than 50% and increased by 39.7%, respectively, results that were worse than for the HIPS composite in aged Turpan. This was related to the combined effects of light, temperature, rain, and moisture in Qionghai leading to more severe degradation of HIPS composites, which results in breaking of the polymer chains and migration and erosion of the flame retardant. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46339. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is Part II of a review covering the wide range of issues associated with all aspects of the use and responsible disposal of foam and plastic wastes containing toxic or potentially toxic flame retardants. We identify basic and applied research needs in the areas of responsible collection, pretreatment, processing, and management of these wastes. In Part II, we explore alternative technologies for the management of halogenated flame retardant (HFR) containing wastes, including chemical, mechanical, and thermal processes for recycling, treatment, and disposal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interfacial tailoring is always the key to preparing high-performance polymer-based thermal conductive composites (PTCs). Herein, we reported a multi-functional interface tailoring approach to simultaneously improve the thermal conductivity, flame retardancy, thermal and mechanical properties of PTCs, by forming a core-shell structured graphene oxide coating Al 2 O 3 hybrid (Al 2 O 3 @HGO). Simultaneously a flame retardant bridging agent was introduced to improve the coating amount and flame retardant efficiency of the hybrid. The morphology analysis revealed the significant reinforcement of interfacial interaction of Al 2 O 3 in epoxy (EP) by HGO coating. As a result, such the interfacial tailoring induced both the significant decrease in interfacial thermal resistance and the formation of additional thermal conductive paths by the graphene coating layer, resulting in the significant improvement in thermal conductivity of EP/Al 2 O 3 @HGO composites. The flame retardant parameters, peak heat release rate, total heat release and total smoke production, showed a 49.3%, 40.9% and 71.2% reduction, respectively, comparing to neat EP, which was ascribed to the strong interface with GO coating layer and the flame retardant bridging agent catalyzed charring to form an intact and compact char protective layer with Al 2 O 3 . Moreover, the strong interfacial interaction also restricted the segment movement, increasing the storage modulus and T g . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organophosphorus flame retardants (PFRs) are extensively used as alternatives to banned polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD). In this study, we analyzed 14 PFRs by means of four mass-spectrometry-based methods: gas chromatography combined with electron-impact mass spectrometry (GC-EI-MS) or negative-chemical-ionization mass spectrometry (GC-NCI-MS) and liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry using electrospray ionization (LC-ESI-MS/MS) or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (LC-APCI-MS/MS). The limits of quantification (LOQs) for LC-ESI-MS/MS and LC-APCI-MS/MS (0.81-970 pg) were 1-2 orders of magnitude lower than the LOQs for GC-EI-MS and GC-NCI-MS (2.3-3900 pg). LC-APCI-MS/MS showed the lowest LOQs (mean = 41 pg; median = 3.4 pg) for all but two of the PFRs targeted in this study. For LC-APCI-MS/MS, the lowest LOQ was observed for tributyl phosphate (TBP) (0.81 pg), and the highest was observed for tris(butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBOEP) (36 pg). The results of this study indicate that LC-APCI-MS/MS is the optimum analytical method for the target PFRs, at least in terms of LOQ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]