Plastics have prominent utilization worldwide. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is one of the major types of plastics that can be found in the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) [1]. MSW contains high proportion of thermoplastic polymers which has been increasing in value. PET is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer, and is considered as polyester material [2]. Large amount of waste PET is being p...

Laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) ingest plastic marine debris of a wide range of shape, sizes and sources. To better characterize this plastic and provide insights regarding its provenance and persistence in the environment, we developed a simple method to classify plastic fragments of unknown origin according to the resin codes used by the Society of Plastics Industry. Known plastics...

After the first life cycle of plastics various recycling processes are available for further utilization of these valuable materials. For an ecologically and economically satisfying solution the most suitable process has to be chosen. In chemical recycling polymers are degraded to basic chemical substances which can be reused in the petrochemical industry. For soiled waste plastics or waste pla...

Research on wood and natural fiber-plasticcomposites has spanned several decades. However, there was relatively little market activity in the United States outside of the automotive industry prior to the last 5 years. Recently, however, the U.S. wood-plasticcomposites industry has grown tremendously. Although its total marketsize is small relativetothe traditional wood composites industry, the ...

The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among workers in the plastics industry in Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil was estimated. Cases were defined by reported symptoms of pain in the previous 12 months, lasting more than a week or having monthly minimum frequency, which had given rise to restrictions at work or to seeking medical attention, or where respondents had a severity score greater t...

Some present and possibly future waste disposal methods involving substantial immediate volume reduction of waste processed. 'This paper discusses data on solid waste disposal methods used in the plastics industry as obtained in a recent questionnaire survey of the polymer produc­ tion and plastics fabrication sections of this industry. Regional facilities for collective'inCineration are descri...

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to assess the potential dermal exposure to styrene in the fibreglass reinforced plastics industry. METHODS Assessment was performed during spraying and rolling using a patch sampling technique. The patch was made of charcoal sandwiched between two layers of cotton fabric. Samplers were fastened at 12 different spots on a sampling overall, each spot represe...

Currently, about 75% of Finnish reinforced polyester lamination workers are exposed to styrene concentrations exceeding the current occupational exposure limit of 20 ppm. Several measures have been proposed to control styrene exposure, but only a few of them are capable of keeping the styrene concentration below 20 ppm. The present study was carried out to evaluate current ventilation systems i...

A brief description of the potential occupational health hazards encountered in the manufacture of plastics (polymers) is given. In general, these hazards are due to the monomers used to make the various plastics, to unreacted monomer contained within the finished products, and to the fillers, stabilizers, pigments, inhibitors, and initiators used in fabricating the finished products. They run ...