Persistent Organic Pollutants in Plastic Materials: Challenges for the Circular Economy and Contributions to the Implementation of International Agreements

• Grant number: 25/10204-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: November 01, 2025
• End date: October 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: André Henrique Rosa
• Grantee: Yago de Souza Guida
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia. Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Sorocaba. Sorocaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The production, use, and disposal of plastics have increasingly impacted the environment and human health, especially due to the presence of toxic chemical additives such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). This project aims to investigate the occurrence of two groups of POPs-short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)-in plastic materials from different categories and life cycle stages, contributing to the generation of unprecedented data in Brazil. Advanced analytical methods will be implemented for the quantification of these compounds, and the results will be used to inform public policies and support the fulfillment of international agreements such as the Stockholm Convention. The project also includes the training of qualified human resources and the wide dissemination of scientific findings. This proposal is expected to contribute significantly to the transition toward a safe circular economy, free of hazardous chemicals.