Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in new unexposed and beached expanded polystyrene foams

Among the plastic debris surveyed in marine environment, a large quantity terms of volume was found to be expanded polystyrene foam (EPS). This is due its light weight and popularity as packaging material. In this study, 28 compounds polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) were analyzed both new beached EPS collected California, USA. EPS, variation total PAH concentrations up 2 orders magnitude observed 337 11,800 ng/g-EPS range. Meanwhile, showed less ranging from 282 1,194 ng/g-EPS. Most species shown have higher than suggesting ability sorb PAHs surrounding seawater. However, with anthracene, there significant depletion compared EPS. The fact that unexposed including food packaging, highlights an exposure source toxic chemicals human stocks upon migration, well wildlife disposal. composition consistent those samples Japan, Malaysia Australia, problems associated global issue.