RT Journal Article
T1 Terrestrial characterization factors for bio- and fossil-based plastics: microplastics ingestion and additives release
A1 Vázquez Vázquez, Brais
A1 Lazzari, Massimo
A1 Hospido Quintana, Almudena
K1 EoL
K1 Fate factor
K1 LCIA
K1 Mismanaged plastics
K1 PHA
K1 PLA
AB Only a few works have contributed to quantifying the potential impacts of mismanaged plastics at the end-of-life stage. The MarILCA working group has developed characterization factors (CFs) to include the aquatic compartment, however, the terrestrial compartment remains a methodological gap. This work contributes to the quantification of the potential impacts of polypropylene (PP) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) as well as their potential market substitutes plastic biopolymers (BPs) (PHA- and PLA-based) in the terrestrial compartment. Emission-based CFs have been developed to quantify their impacts through physical effects on biota related to microplastic ingestion, and ecotoxicological effects due to additives release. Fate factors (FFs) were derived from Plastic Footprint Network data and studies on accelerated photooxidation, the primary degradation pathway in the terrestrial compartment. Effect factors (EFs) were developed by the USEtox recommendations based on literature data on the physical and ecotoxicological impacts related to microplastics ingestion and additives release. An exposure factor (XF) of 1 was applied, as the CFs integrate potential impacts without distinguishing between short- and long-term effects. The study found that additives pose a greater environmental risk than microplastics ingestion, with CFs 3 to 4 orders of magnitude higher in the terrestrial compartment and even higher in the aquatic compartment. It is, therefore, essential to consider both the terrestrial and aquatic compartments to understand the impact of plastic pollution comprehensively. Finally, the study also found that the CFs of BPs are close to petrochemical plastics, underling the importance of proper waste management for the environmental performance of BPs.
PB Elsevier
SN 0956-053X
YR 2025
FD 2025-04-01
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10347/43300
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10347/43300
LA eng
NO Vázquez-Vázquez, B., Lazzari, M., & Hospido, A. (2025). Terrestrial characterization factors for bio- and fossil-based plastics: microplastics ingestion and additives release. Waste Management, 196, 106–114. 10.1016/j.wasman.2025.02.008
NO This work has been financially supported by the ECOPOLYVER project (ref. PID2020-112550RB-C21). Furthermore, Brais Vazquez-Vazquez and Almudena Hospido belong to CRETUS (ED431G/2023/ 12), a programme co-funded by FEDER (UE). Besides, Jessica PerezGarcía and Alba Roibas-Rozas ´ are thanked for their contributions in the initial versions of the manuscript. The BIOCEN+ project (ref. 2021- PN070) is also acknowledged for providing plastic biopolymer samples. All the experimentation was conducted at CIQUS, and its laboratory staff is deeply recognized for their support and guidance.
DS Minerva
RD 23 abr 2026