Plastics

Ocean Fungi: Nature's New Plastic-Eating Superheroes

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 15:47:43 -0500

Hawai'i sits within the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, near the infamous Great Pacific Garbage Patch, making it a natural laboratory for studying plastic pollution solutions.

EPA targets vinyl chloride as 'high priority' chemical for future regulation

Keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 19:53:54 -0400

Regulations for vinyl chloride are still several years off, and could have significant impacts on the market for PVC plastics, which are used in a wide range of products.

Researchers demonstrate that forests trap airborne microplastics, acting as terrestrial sinks

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 15:47:47 -0400

Forests might be acting as a sink for airborne microplastics, offering humanity yet another crucial service.

Plastic waste may inhibit shrimp reproduction

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 17:27:55 -0500

Two chemicals caused a concentration-dependent effect on shrimps' sperm, resulting in a decline of up to 60% in sperm count of those exposed to elevated levels of the chemicals.

Scientists caution against a reliance on mechanical devices to clear water bodies of plastic

Fri, 24 Nov 2023 13:17:32 -0500

International group is concerned that focusing too greatly on cleanup approaches will create more environmental risk, and be a distraction from the key priorities of the Plastic Treaty negotiations.

Texas A&M researchers provide novel approach for removing microplastics from water

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 11:34:17 -0400

The study yielded encouraging findings on removing polystyrene and polymethyl methacrylate microplastics and nanoplastics.

PEER: Park service punts on plastic reduction

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 10:12:58 -0400

By contrast, under its plan, the more than 500 units of the National Wildlife Refuges System would cut plastic use by 25% by the end of 2024.

EARTH docuseries highlights five sustainable practices in the resource sector

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 10:07:23 -0400

John Holden travels across Indonesia, Canada and three states to understand sequestration from oil drilling waste, "copper and health" and more.

Model predicts PFAS adsorption by microplastics

Mon, 29 May 2023 20:46:01 -0400

Their models are applicable for fresh and saltwater and account for the type, size, shape and ionic charge of the microplastics; as well as the functional compound groups and chain length of PFAS.

120+ countries agree to ban a hazardous pesticide and two toxic plastic chemicals

Fri, 12 May 2023 17:14:09 -0400

With labeling of toxic chemicals, workers and communities throughout the plastic waste stream can be alerted when they need to take precautions.

Washington State prepares for plastic pollution bill to go into effect

Thu, 11 May 2023 17:42:27 -0400

To achieve its goals, HB 1085 engages several different government agencies and councils. After deliberating with industry groups, the bill also allows for differing implementation timelines.

Northern Mariana Islands encouraged to pursue zero waste policy by EPA

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 15:05:34 -0400

On April 18 and 19, CNMI’s Inter-island Solid Waste Task Force (ISWTF) conducted a Zero Waste Visioning Workshop during which attendees reviewed recent collection and survey data, then discussed and identified solid waste management priorities.

Study finds PFAS in food packaging, compostable bowls

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 00:22:23 -0400

Fibre-based moulded bowls, which are marketed as “compostable,” had PFAS levels three to 10 times higher than doughnut and pastry bags. PFAS are added to these bowls and bags as a water- and grease-repellent.

Minderoo-Monaco Commission releases report on human, ocean health impacts of plastics

Keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 18:01:08 -0400

The ubiquity of fast food and discount stores in poorer communities increases exposure to plastic packaging, products, and associated chemicals and impacts.

Groups call on EPA to ban plastic fluorination that creates PFAS

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 11:49:06 -0400

Groups call for a prohibition on Inhance Technologies from continuing to produce several dangerous per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during the fluorination of plastic containers.

How vinyl chloride from the Ohio train derailment can damage the liver

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 15:23:51 -0500

Vinyl chloride – the chemical in several of the train cars that derailed and burned in East Palestine, Ohio, in February 2023 – can wreak havoc on the human liver.

Groups call on EPA to ban plastic fluorination that creates PFAS

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 12:42:53 -0500

CEH and PEER responded to nine significant new use notices (SNUNs) filed by Inhance Technologies by calling on the EPA to ban the process that creates per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

DOE announces $52 million for materials, technology and clean manufacturing innovation

Sun, 05 Feb 2023 09:52:57 -0500

R&D supports domestic manufacturing to strengthen America’s economic competitiveness and move the U.S. towards a net-zero carbon economy by 2050.

Nanoplastics unexpectedly produce reactive oxidizing species when exposed to light

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 07:00:00 -0500

The production of these reactive oxygen species from nanoplastics can endanger marine life and human health and potentially affects the mobility of the nanoplastics in the environment via redox reactions.

College of Charleston identifies contaminants from plastic pollution in bay

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 07:00:00 -0500

Data collected from fish taken from Sarasota Bay helps identify contaminants from plastic pollution getting into the food chain.

EPA issues test order for PFAS used in plastics, chemical manufacturing

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 12:07:14 -0500

The information EPA receives under this order will not only improve the Agency’s understanding of human health effects of HFPO, but also the effects of dozens of PFAS.

Eco-friendly membrane removes VOCs, microplastics

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 10:25:39 -0500

Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) Professor Park Chi-Young's team successfully developed an 'atypical porous polymer material' that can completely remove phenolic organic contaminants in water.

New York plans for Dec. 31 ban on 'forever chemicals' in apparel

Keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 16:45:41 -0500

Following California's recent ban of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, or PFAS, in clothes and makeup, New York is amending its environmental code to ban clothing with PFAS from being sold in the state.

UMass students help semiconductor company find alternatives to PFAS

Mon, 02 Jan 2023 12:36:40 -0500

The second year of research is underway to find alternatives that meet specific criteria for more of Transene’s customers.

Nonprofit organizations file suit against Houston plastics manufacturer

Fri, 30 Dec 2022 11:50:12 -0500

In their lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, CEH and PEER are seeking a court order restraining Inhance from continued manufacture of PFAS.

LA grocer to offer first biodegradable water bottles

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 13:50:48 -0500

Cove, the California-based material innovation company, launched the first biodegradable water bottles last week in partnership with Erewhon, the Los Angeles premium organic grocer.

Unraveling secrets of microplastics released by tires

Sun, 04 Dec 2022 13:49:33 -0500

Scientists at EPFL and two other Swiss research institutes are conducting a study of the toxicity of tire-particle compounds and how readily they're absorbed by living organisms.

Study shows the threat microplastics pose to terrestrial food production

Sat, 12 Nov 2022 10:13:46 -0500

Scientists at Staffordshire University are driving research to understand the scale of plastic pollution in agricultural soils and its impact around the world.

Teflon coating study raises hot questions about microplastics in cooking

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 18:36:46 -0500

Scientists from Newcastle University and Flinders University have now been able to measure how millions of tiny plastic particles potentially come off during cooking and in the wash as non-stick pots and pans gradually lose their coating.