Plastics have outgrown most man-made materials and have long been under environmental scrutiny. However, robust global information, particularly about their end-of-life fate, is lacking. By identifying and synthesizing dispersed data on production, use, and end-of-life management of polymer resins, synthetic fibers, and additives, we present the first global analysis of all mass-produced plasti...

OBJECTIVES To study the occurrence of non-malignant diseases and solid cancers in workers exposed to styrene in the Danish reinforced plastics industry. METHODS All 36,610 workers of 386 reinforced plastics companies and 14,293 workers not exposed to styrene from similar industries were followed up from 1970 to 1990. This industry is characterised by simple exposure conditions, exposure to hi...

The European Union (EU) aspires to be an important global agenda-setter on how treat and regulate the growing plastics problem. We present analysis of plastic policy narratives shaping governance, in particular through Commission’s Plastics Strategy. Our aim is first uncover at play, then examine actors make use those strategic construction. Based interviews with key stakeholders document analy...

Microcellular plastics are investigated for a basis for application as insulation in large electrical transformers. These cellular foams contain billions of cells per cubic centimeter with diameters smaller than 10 microns. The insulation material concept involves saturating microcellular plastics with mineral oil. The electrical strength of the insulation is dependent on completely filling all...

Allow the precautionary principle to be paramount in achieving Good Environmental Status in accordance with the Marine Directive. Because plastics and highly persistent chemicals take a very long time to degrade, the problem is largely irreversible once it has been detected. Photo: Zandra Gerdes include the washing of synthetic fabrics, car tyre wear and tear, artificial turf, anti-fouling pain...

Environmental compounds are known to promote epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of adult onset disease in subsequent generations (F1-F3) following ancestral exposure during fetal gonadal sex determination. The current study was designed to determine if a mixture of plastic derived endocrine disruptor compounds bisphenol-A (BPA), bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP...