The Ecology Center, along with Defend Our Health, the Alliance of Mission-Based Recyclers, Wayne State University, and Toronto Metropolitan University, conducted a peer-reviewed study on the contamination of PET plastic.
Plastics, particularly polyethylene terephthalate (PET), are widely used as food contact materials, textiles, and toys. However, their widespread use and potential for human exposure raise environmental and health concerns, particularly regarding the leaching of chemical additives. This study assessed hazardous plastic additives and non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) leached from paired virgin and recycled PET bottles (soda and water) purchased from Michigan and California and from textiles (toys, pillows, and clothing) acquired online or in stores in Michigan and Oregon.
Research found different contaminants in PET products. It identified 12 harmful additives, six organophosphate esters (OPEs), and 15 non-intentionally added substances (NIAS). Recycled PET (rPET) bottles often contained benzene, while new PET had more ethylene glycol and 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane. OPEs were more common in rPET, suggesting recycling can introduce contaminants.
Location also mattered: Michigan bottles had more benzaldehyde, while California bottles had higher diethylene glycol levels, showing varied manufacturing methods. Textiles showed unique contamination patterns from laundry processes.
Tests revealed hormone receptor activity blocking in PET products, with no clear link to the type of PET, indicating potential health risks from both kinds. Ongoing monitoring of contaminants in PET is necessary, especially for unregulated substances.
Environmental Significance
Our findings demonstrate the pervasive presence of numerous hazardous compounds, including plasticizers and flame retardants, in virgin and recycled PET bottles and textiles. The detection of these substances, particularly their leaching under environmentally relevant conditions and their observed endocrine-disrupting activity, indicates a potential environmental and human exposure risk. This research emphasizes that current practices in plastic additive use led to complex chemical mixtures with potential adverse impacts on water quality, sensitive ecosystems, and vulnerable populations, necessitating a re-evaluation of material safety and recycling processes.
Read the full report: https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2025/em/d5em00615e