Presence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in solid waste and their impact for implementing a circular economy

• Grant number: 22/00985-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: May 01, 2022
• End date: April 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: André Henrique Rosa
• Grantee: André Henrique Rosa
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia. Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Sorocaba. Sorocaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Erik Sartori Jeunon Gontijo ; Juliana Araujo Ávila ; Sandro Donnini Mancini ; Stuart John Harrad ; William Andrew Stubbings

Abstract

The proposed project aims to evaluate the presence of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and per-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the Brazilian waste chain, assessing whether the presence of these pollutants would represent an obstacle or an additional challenge for the implementation of the Circular Economy in the country. The POPs under study have high stability in the environment, thus being highly cumulative in the reuse and recycling process and, even at low concentrations, they can cause serious problems to human and environmental health. The aim is to study the presence and risk of human exposure of POPs in polymeric materials from urban waste (640 samples) to be obtained from civil construction (styrofoam slabs and insulation boards), electrical and electronic equipment, packaging coatings, household materials (such as curtains, rugs and carpets), as well as foam for upholstery, mattresses, and children's articles, such as bottles, pacifiers, baby chairs, changing tables, etc. The results may contribute to the establishment of public policies regarding the destination and regulation of compounds, including their impacts on the circular economy, which is based on the maximum use, reuse and recycling of materials in the production system. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

HARRAD, STUART; SHARKEY, MARTIN; STUBBINGS, WILLIAM A.; ALGHAMDI, MISBAH; BERRESHEIM, HARALD; COGGINS, MARIE; ROSA, ANDRE HENRIQUE; DRAGE, DANIEL. Chlorinated organophosphate esters in Irish waste foams and fabrics: Concentrations, preliminary assessment of temporal trends and evaluation of the impact of a concentration limit value. Science of The Total Environment, v. 859, p. 6-pg., 2023-02-10. (19/06800-5, 22/00985-6)

DRAGE, DANIEL; SHARKEY, MARTIN; AL-OMRAN, LAYLA SALIH; STUBBINGS, WILLIAM A.; BERRESHEIM, HARALD; COGGINS, MARIE; ROSA, ANDRE HENRIQUE; HARRAD, STUART. Halogenated flame retardants in Irish waste polymers: Concentrations, legislative compliance, and preliminary assessment of temporal trends. Environmental Pollution, v. 309, p. 8-pg., 2022-07-20. (19/06800-5, 22/00985-6)

HARRAD, STUART; DRAGE, DANIEL; SHARKEY, MARTIN; STUBBINGS, WILL; ALGHAMDI, MISBAH; BERRESHEIM, HARALD; COGGINS, MARIE; ROSA, ANDRE HENRIQUE. Elevated concentrations of halogenated flame retardants in waste childcare articles from Ireland. Environmental Pollution, v. 317, p. 6-pg., 2023-01-15. (19/06800-5, 22/00985-6)