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Suspect Screening Analysis of Recycled Consumer Products.
Citation:
Lowe, C., K. Phillips, J. Sobus, A. Yau, K. Favela, A. Pfirrman, J. Wambaugh, A. Williams, AND K. Isaacs. Suspect Screening Analysis of Recycled Consumer Products. SETAC NTA, Durham, NC, May 22 - 26, 2022. https://doi.org/10.23645/epacomptox.19763467
Impact/Purpose:
The chemical composition of recycled materials is often unknown to the consumer, and potentially, the manufacturer. This study use suspect screening analysis to rapidly characterize chemical content of consumer products. The results of this study can be used in future studies to parameterize existing exposure models or identify novel exposure pathways which are currently neglected in product exposure assessments.
Description:
Recycled materials are found in many consumer products as part of a circular economy; however, the chemical content of recycled products is generally uncharacterized. A suspect screening analysis using two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOFMS) was applied to 210 products (154 recycled, 56 virgin) across seven categories. Chemicals in products were tentatively identified using a standard spectral library or confirmed using chemical standards. A total of 918 probable chemical structures identified (112 of which were confirmed) in recycled materials versus 587 (110 confirmed) in virgin materials. Identified chemicals were characterized in terms of their functional use and structural class. Recycled paper products and construction materials contained greater numbers of chemicals than virgin products; 733 identified chemicals had greater occurrence in recycled compared to virgin materials. Products made from recycled materials contained greater numbers of fragrances, flame retardants, solvents, biocides, and dyes. The results were clustered to identify groups of chemicals potentially associated with unique chemical sources, and identified chemicals were prioritized for further study using high-throughput hazard and exposure information. While occurrence is not necessarily indicative of risk, these results can be used to inform the expansion of existing models or identify exposure pathways currently neglected in exposure assessments. This abstract does not necessarily represent the views or policies of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
URLs/Downloads:
DOI: Suspect Screening Analysis of Recycled Consumer Products.
RP_SETACNTA_DRAFT.PDF (PDF, NA pp, 1116.213 KB, about PDF)