Brunning, Hattie, Sallach, J Brett orcid.org/0000-0003-4588-3364 and Boxall, Alistair orcid.org/0000-0003-3823-7516 (2025) Emissions of water-soluble polymers from household products to the environment:a prioritization study. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. pp. 563-588. ISSN 1552-8618
Abstract
Water-soluble polymers (WSPs) are widely used in household products, including cleaning and personal care products. However, unlike insoluble plastic polymers, the environmental risks of WSPs are poorly understood. This study was performed to identify polymers in household use and characterize their emissions to the environment and key data gaps for prioritization. An inventory of polymers was developed and these were broadly grouped based on structure. Information from patents was combined with literature data to estimate down-the-drain emissions for each polymer. For the polymers with the highest emissions, predicted environmental concentrations for surface water and soil were estimated. A total of 339 individual polymers were identified and categorized into 26 groups. The polymers with the highest down-the-drain emissions were sodium laureth sulfate (1.6-3.4 g capita-1 day-1), styrene/acrylates copolymer (0.1-0.8 g capita-1 day-1), and monoethanolamine-laureth sulfate (0.4-0.8 g capita-1 day-1). An analysis of available fate and ecotoxicity data for 30 key high-emission polymers indicated that several are lacking in data. In particular, no data were found for styrene/acrylates copolymer and copolymer of polyethylene glycol/vinyl acetate, and the environmental fate of polyquaterniums and polyol ethoxylate esters has been understudied, particularly in light of their hazard potential. However, a lack of reporting of key polymer properties hinders analysis. We recommend increased transparency in reporting of polymer identities moving forward as well as experimental work determining fate, removal, and hazard of the prioritized high-emission polymers that are lacking in data.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © The Author(s) 2025. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. |
Keywords: | Polymers,Household Products/analysis,Solubility,Environmental Monitoring,Water/chemistry |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Environment and Geography (York) |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 25 Feb 2025 14:50 |
Last Modified: | 25 Feb 2025 14:50 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1093/etojnl/vgae030 |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1093/etojnl/vgae030 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:223764 |