Biophysical studies of modified PVC sheet based on sunflower oil for antistatic and blood bags applications.

In this work, the surface of polyvinyl chloride PVC sheet was modified by blending it with sunflower seed oil SSO to obtain PVC sheet/SSO films of ratios 100/0, 90/10, 80/20, 70/30, 60/40, and 50/50 (v/v)% using the solution casting method. Various techniques were used to characterize the prepared films, besides the use of hemolysis assays and blood clot formation tests. FTIR spectra revealed that there was a good interaction between the PVC sheet and the oil. The dielectric measurement indicated that SSO addition enhanced the dielectric properties of the sheet. The study of dielectric relaxation times confirmed the interaction between SSO and the sheet. DC conductivity increased to 6 × 10-6 S/m, so it could be applied in antistatic applications. Also, SSO addition increased the value of the thermal stability. According to SEM micrographs, the film was roughened at a ratio of 60/40 and smoothed out at 50/50. This behavior was confirmed with roughness and contact angle measurement results, in which the film of ratio 60/40 had the highest value equal to (72.03°) and then decreased at 50/50 to (59.62°). These results were confirmed by XRD measurement as the crystallinity increased at the film ratio of 60/40 and decreased again at 50/50. Also, the ratio of 60/40 demonstrated a large decrease in thrombus weights along with a slight increase in hemolysis, which is within the acceptable range and has a high degree of biocompatibility, so this concentration is recommended to be used in blood bags applications.

Real-time diagnosis and monitoring of biofilm and corrosion layer formation on different water pipe materials using non-invasive imaging methods.

Water distribution networks play a crucial role in ensuring a reliable water supply, yet they encounter challenges such as corrosion, scale formation, and biofilm growth due to interactions with environmental elements. Biofilms and corrosion layers are significant contaminants in water pipes, formed by complex interactions with pipe materials. As the structure of these contamination layers varies depending on the pipe material, it is essential to investigate the contamination layer for each material individually. Specifically, biofilm growth is typically investigated concerning organic sources, while the growth of humus layers is examined in relation to inorganic elements such as manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and aluminum (Al), which are major elements and organic substances found in water pipes. Real-time imaging of recently contaminated layers can provide important insights to improve system performance by optimizing operations and cleaning processes. In this study, cast iron (7.10 ± 0.78 nm) exhibits greater surface roughness compared to PVC (5.60 ± 0.14 nm) and provides favorable conditions for biofilm formation due to its positive charge. Over a period of 425 h, the fouling layer on cast iron and PVC surfaces gradually increased in fouling thickness, porosity, roughness, and density, reaching maximum value of 29.72 ± 3.6 µm, 11.44 ± 1.1%, 41673 ± 1025.6 pixels, and 0.80 ± 0.3 fouling layer pixel/layer pixel for cast iron, and 8.15 ± 0.4 µm, 20.64 ± 0.9%, 35916.6 ± 755.7 pixels, and 0.58 ± 0.1 fouling layer pixel/layer pixel, respectively. Within the scope of the current research, CNN model demonstrates high correlation coefficients (0.98 and 0.91) in predicting biofilm thickness for cast iron and PVC. The model also presented high accuracy in predicting porosity for both materials (over 0.91 for cast iron and 0.96 for PVC). While the model accurately predicted biofilm roughness and density for cast iron (correlation coefficients 0.98 and 0.94, respectively), it had lower accuracy for PVC (correlation coefficients 0.92 for both parameters).

A cost-effective and facile technique for realizing fabric based microfluidic channels using beeswax and PVC stencils.

Microfluidic channels fabricated over fabrics or papers have the potential to find substantial application in the next generation of wearable healthcare monitoring systems. The present work focuses on the fabrication procedures that can be used to obtain practically realizable fabric-based microfluidic channels (µFADs) utilizing patterning masks and wax, unlike conventional printing techniques. In this study, comparative analysis was used to differentiate channels obtained using different masking tools for channel patterning as well as different wax materials as hydrophobic barriers. Drawbacks of the conventional tape and candle wax technique were noted and a novel approach was used to create microfluidic channels through a facile and simple masking technique using PVC clear sheets as channel stencils and beeswax as the channel barriers. The resulting fabric based microfluidic channels with varying widths as well as complex microchannel, microwell, and micromixer designs were investigated and a minimum channel width resolution of 500 µm was successfully obtained over cotton based fabrics. Thereafter, the PVC clear sheet-beeswax based microwells were successfully tested to confine various organic and inorganic samples indicating vivid applicability of the technique. Finally, the microwells were used to make a simple and facile colorimetric assay for glucose detection and demonstrated effective detection of glucose levels from 10 mM to 50 mM with significant color variation using potassium iodide as the coloring agent. The above findings clearly suggest the potential of this alternative technique for making low-cost and practically realizable fabric based diagnostic devices (µFADs) in contrast to the other approaches that are currently in use.

N-Acetyl Cysteine-Decorated Nitric Oxide-Releasing Interface for Biomedical Applications.

Biomedical devices are vulnerable to infections and biofilm formation, leading to extended hospital stays, high expenditure, and increased mortality. Infections are clinically treated via the administration of systemic antibiotics, leading to the development of antibiotic resistance. A multimechanistic strategy is needed to design an effective biomaterial with broad-spectrum antibacterial potential. Recent approaches have investigated the fabrication of innately antimicrobial biomedical device surfaces in the hope of making the antibiotic treatment obsolete. Herein, we report a novel fabrication strategy combining antibacterial nitric oxide (NO) with an antibiofilm agent N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) on a polyvinyl chloride surface using polycationic polyethylenimine (PEI) as a linker. The designed biomaterial could release NO for at least 7 days with minimal NO donor leaching under physiological conditions. The proposed surface technology significantly reduced the viability of Gram-negative Escherichia coli (>97%) and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (>99%) bacteria in both adhered and planktonic forms in a 24 h antibacterial assay. The composites also exhibited a significant reduction in biomass and extra polymeric substance accumulation in a dynamic environment over 72 h. Overall, these results indicate that the proposed combination of the NO donor with mucolytic NAC on a polymer surface efficiently resists microbial adhesion and can be used to prevent device-associated biofilm formation.

Upcycling of PVC waste to high-value sorbent with KOH-activation for efficient removal of organic dyes.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), known for its chemical stability and flame-retardant qualities, has many uses in various fields, such as pipes, electric wires, and cable insulation. Research has established its potential recovery as a fluidic fuel through pyrolysis, but the use of PVC pyrolysis oil, which is tainted by chlorine, is constrained by its low heat value and harmful environmental effects. This study engineered a layered double hydroxide (LDH) to tackle these challenges. The LDH facilitated dechlorination during PVC pyrolysis and bolstered thermal stability via cross-linking. During pyrolysis with LDH, PVC was transformed into carbon-rich precursors to sorbents. Chemical activation of these residues using KOH created sorbents with a specific surface area of 1495.4 m2 g⁻1, rendering them hydrophilic. These resulting sorbents displayed impressive adsorption capabilities, removing up to 486.79 mg g⁻1 of methylene blue and exhibiting the simultaneous removal of cations and anions.

Environmental-friendly extraction of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate from poly(vinyl chloride) using liquefied dimethyl ether.

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) is one of the most widely used plastics. However, a major challenge in recycling PVC is that there is no economical method to separate and remove its toxic phthalate plasticizers. This research made a breakthrough by extracting PVC with liquefied dimethyl ether (DME) and successfully separating the plasticizer components. Nearly all (97.1 %) of the di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate plasticizer was extracted within 30 min by passing liquefied DME (285 g) through PVC at 25 °C. The compatibility of PVC with organic solvents, including liquefied DME, was derived theoretically from their Hansen solubility parameters (HSP), and actual dissolution experiments were conducted to determine the optimal PVC solvents. A liquefied DME mixture was used to dissolve PVC, and the extract was diluted with ethanol to precipitate the dissolved PVC. We demonstrated that liquefied DME is a promising method for producing high quality recycled products and that the process retains the fundamental properties of plasticizers and PVC without inducing degradation or depolymerization. Because of its low boiling point, DME can be easily separated from the solute after extraction, allowing for efficient reuse of the solvent, extracted plasticizer, and PVC. DME does not require heat and produces little harmful wastewater, which significantly reduces the energy consumption of the plasticizer additive separation process.

Effects of surface-attached durations, nutrients, and relative humidity on the resuspension of bacteria during human walking.

Resuspension caused by human walking activities is an important source of indoor bioaerosols and has been associated with health effects such as allergies and asthma. However, it is unknown whether inhalation of resuspended bioaerosols is an important exposure pathway for airborne infection. Also, crucial factors influencing the resuspension of settled microbes have not been quantified. In this study, we experimentally investigated the resuspension of culturable bacteria from human-stepping on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) flooring under different conditions. We determined the bacterial resuspension emission factor (ER), a normalized resuspension parameter for the ratio of resuspended mass in the air to the mass of settled particles, for two common bacteria, Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica. The investigation involved varying factors such as microbial surface-attached durations (0, 1, 2, and 3 days), the absence or presence of nutrients on flooring surfaces, and changes in relative humidity (RH) (35%, 65%, and 85%). The results showed that, in the absence of nutrients, the highest ER values for E. coli and S. enterica were 3.8 × 10-5 ± 5.2 × 10-6 and 5.3 × 10-5 ± 6.0 × 10-6, respectively, associated with surface-attached duration of 0 days. As the surface-attached duration increased from 0 to 3 days, ER values decreased by 92% and 84% for E. coli and S. enterica, respectively. In addition, we observed that ER values decreased with the increasing RH, which is consistent with particle adhesion theory. This research offers valuable insights into microbial resuspension during human walking activities and holds the potential for assisting in the assessment and estimation of risks related to human exposure to bioaerosols.

The release, degradation, and distribution of PVC microplastic-originated phthalate and non-phthalate plasticizers in sediments.

This study investigated the leaching of phthalate and non-phthalate plasticizers from polyvinyl chloride microplastics (MPs) into sediment and their degradation over a 30-d period via abiotic and biotic processes. The results showed that 3579% of plasticizers were released into the sediment from the MPs and > 99.9% degradation was achieved. Although a significantly higher degradation was found in plasticizer-added microcosms under biotic processes (overall, 94%), there was a noticeable abiotic loss (72%), suggesting that abiotic processes also play a role in plasticizer degradation. Interestingly, when compared with the initial sediment-water partitioning for plasticizers, the partition constants for low-molecular-weight compounds decreased in both microcosms, whereas those for high-molecular-weight compounds increased after abiotic degradation. Furthermore, changes in the bacterial community, abundance of plasticizer-degrading bacterial populations, and functional gene profiles were assessed. In all the microcosms, a decrease in bacterial community diversity and a notable shift in bacterial composition were observed. The enriched potential plasticizer-degrading bacteria were Arthrobacter, Bacillus, Desulfovibrio, Desulfuromonas, Devosia, Gordonia, Mycobacterium, and Sphingomonas, among which Bacillus was recognized as the key plasticizer degrader. Overall, these findings shed light on the factors affecting plasticizer degradation, the microbial communities potentially involved in biodegradation, and the fate of plasticizers in the environment.

Impact of PVC microplastics in photodynamic inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA.

Photodynamic processes have found widespread application in therapies. These processes involve photosensitizers (PSs) that, when excited by specific light wavelengths and in the presence of molecular oxygen, generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), that target cells leading to inactivation. Photodynamic action has gained notable attention in environmental applications, particularly against pathogens and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) that pose a significant challenge to public health. However, environmental matrices frequently encompass additional contaminants and interferents, including microplastics (MPs), which are pollutants of current concern. Their presence in water and effluents has been extensively documented, highlighting their impact on conventional treatment methods, but this information remains scarce in the context of photodynamic inactivation (PDI) setups. Here, we described the effects of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microparticles in PDI targeting Staphylococcus aureus and its methicillin-resistant strain (MRSA), using curcumin as a PS under blue light. The presence of PVC microparticles does not hinder ROS formation; however, depending on its concentration, it can impact bacterial inactivation. Our results underscore that PDI remains a potent method for reducing bacterial concentrations in water and wastewater containing ARB, even in highly contaminated scenarios with MPs.

Hydroxyapatite-lignin hybrid systems as improved poly(vinyl chloride) fillers: From preparation to application.

In this study, new, functional hydroxyapatite-lignin hybrid systems were designed and characterized. The efficacy of the mechanical method utilized to obtain these systems was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The hybrid materials were also noted for their good electrokinetic stability and thermal stability. The introduction of 2.5 to 10 wt% hydroxyapatite-lignin systems into an unplasticized PVC blend using a two-step kneading and pressing method resulted in composites with relatively homogeneous distribution, as confirmed by SEM observations. The processing properties of the filler-containing blends were investigated using plastographometric analysis and MFR tests. The introduction of a lignin-predominant hybrid system into the PVC matrix results in a significant improvement of thermal stability, softening temperature, and tensile strength, while maintaining sufficient impact strength for numerous applications. Hybrid materials containing higher amounts of added lignin are promising materials with bacteriostatic properties. This can be utilized to stabilize and prevent the deposition of microorganisms, as well as the formation of biofilms, on material surfaces, thereby limiting the spread of pathogens. New eco-composites based on PVC and a hybrid filler containing lignin show promise in producing components with surfaces resistant to bacterial colonization. Hence, these materials could be used in medical and hospital equipment.

Analysis of Contact Allergens in Polyvinyl Chloride Examination Gloves in the United States.

Background: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gloves are recommended as a safe alternative for patients with rubber accelerator allergy. However, allergic contact dermatitis to other chemicals in PVC gloves has been reported. Objective: To analyze single-use PVC medical examination gloves in the United States for the presence of potential contact allergens. Methods: Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, 20 unique PVC gloves were analyzed in triplicate for 6 chemicals: benzisothiazolinone, bisphenol A, mono(2-ethylhexyl) maleate, tricresyl phosphate, triphenyl phosphate, and triphenyl phosphite. Results: All 20 PVC gloves contained detectable quantities of benzisothiazolinone (range, 0.001-1.48 parts per million [ppm]), bisphenol A (0.01-0.11 ppm), triphenyl phosphate (0.01-2.11 ppm), and triphenyl phosphite (0.001-0.22 ppm). Eighteen (90%) gloves contained mono(2-ethylhexyl) maleate (0.001-0.14 ppm) and 3 (15%) contained tricresyl phosphate (0.001-0.002 ppm). Conclusions: Known allergens were present in all 20 PVC gloves. However, the detected levels were mostly low and their relationship with sensitization and elicitation thresholds requires further study.

The effects of pen ink and surface disinfectants on red blood cells stored in plasticized polyvinylchloride transfusion bags.

BACKGROUND: Each unit of red blood cells (RBCs) produced represents a significant cost to the healthcare system. Unnecessary blood wastage should be minimized. In clinical settings, alterations to blood component bags after issue from the protected setting of the blood bank include pen markings, and those that are exposed to an infectious environment require surface disinfecting. These units may be discarded due to unclear effects on RBC quality. In this study, we investigate whether pen markings or surface disinfection negatively affects the quality of packed RBCs and whether pen ink diffuses through the blood bag. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: RBC bags were marked with pens (water, oil, or alcohol-based) or subjected to surface disinfection (ethanol, hydrogen peroxide [Preempt wipes], or benzalkonium chloride-based wipes [CaviWipes]) and sampled 24 h after applying the treatment and at day 42 post collection (n = 3 for each condition). The samples were analyzed for RBC in vitro quality markers. The presence of any ink in the RBC bags was investigated using mass spectrometry (n = 2). RESULTS: Data from 24 h and day 42 time points indicated no differences in RBC count, mean corpuscular volume, morphology, deformability, potassium content, or hemolysis for either pen markings or disinfectants when compared with their untreated controls (p > .05). No trace of ink was detected inside the bag. CONCLUSION: RBC units marked with ballpoint, gel, or Sharpie pens do not suffer a loss of in vitro quality, nor do RBC units which have been surface disinfected with 70% ethanol, Preempt wipes or CaviWipes.

Hydrothermal carbonisation of polyvinyl chloride in ethanol-water/water system for solid fuels: Dechlorination, characteristics analysis of hydrochar, and reaction path.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) waste plastic is a typical solid waste. In this paper, the dechlorination and carbonization behavior of PVC in ethanol-water/water system under different process parameters (temperature, residence time, solid-liquid ratio) was studied, and hydrothermal carbon was characterized by SEM, elemental analysis, TG-DTG, XPS, Py-GC/MS. The results show that temperature is the key to the hydrothermal dechlorination of PVC, and the dechlorination efficiency of PVC is the highest by parameter optimization (220°C-90 min-10% S/D-80% E/D), which can reach 96.33 %. With the removal of Cl, the surface of the PVC matrix changed from full and smooth flocculent to honeycomb with uniform pore size distribution. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that the combustion of hydrochar can be divided into three stages: HCl precipitation and volatile combustion, semi-coke and coke combustion, and fixed carbon combustion. The combustion parameters and kinetic parameters of hydrochar were measured, and it was found that the hydrothermal carbonization of PVC at higher temperatures and ethanol-water ratio could improve the combustion performance of hydrochar. The highest calorific value can reach 36.68 MJ/mol. Py-GC/MS analyzed the distribution of the pyrolysis products, and alkylbenzene and aliphatic were the main products of pyrolysis. The structural analysis of hydrochar showed that C-C and CC accounted for the largest proportion, accompanied by a small amount of C-O and CO and trace C-Cl. The possible reaction mechanism of the hydrothermal carbonization of PVC was analyzed based on the distribution of functional groups and compound composition. This work provides an effective and sustainable method for the recycling of refractory chlorinated plastics.

Accurate determination of 11 representative phthalates and di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate in polyvinyl chloride using isotope dilution-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Phthalates are mainly used as plasticizers in polyvinyl chloride (PVC). However, prolonged exposure to phthalates poses considerable risks to human health. Consequently, the utilization of phthalates in consumer products is subject to regulations, with a defined threshold of 0.1 %. In this study, we developed an accurate and simultaneous method for determination of 11 representative phthalates and a non-phthalate plasticizer (di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate, DEHT) in PVC as a higher-order reference method. Homogeneously prepared PVC samples, each containing approximately 0.1 % of the target plasticizer compounds, were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with deuterium-labeled phthalates and DEHT. The developed method could effectively separate and quantify all target plasticizers without interference with each other and potential overlap between the isomeric forms of phthalates, di-isodecyl phthalate, and di-isononyl phthalate. The developed method has high-order metrological quality, exhibiting exceptional selectivity, accuracy, repeatability (≤ 2.17 %), reproducibility (≤ 2.16 %), and relative expanded uncertainty (≤ 5.6 %). This analytical method is thus suitable for accurately assessing the target plasticizer levels in PVC products for ensuring compliance with the established 0.1 % threshold. This method was successfully applied to quantify twelve distinct plasticizers in PVC products obtained from the Korean market, validating its effectiveness and reliability in real-world scenarios.

Effect of particle size and environmental conditions on the release of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate from microplastics.

The extensive use and improper handling of plastics have caused extensive microplastic (MP) pollution in terrestrial environments. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), the main additive used in plastics, is toxic to organisms and may pose risks to human and animal reproductive functions. However, research on the release behavior of DEHP from MPs is scarce. In this study, the effects of particle size and environmental conditions (temperature, pH, ionic strength, and cation type) on DEHP release from polylactide (PLA), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) MPs were determined by performing leaching experiments. The results showed that when particle size decreased, the content of DEHP in the MPs and the amount of released DEHP increased though increasing specific surface area. An increase in temperature also promoted DEHP release; when the temperature increased from 15 °C to 45 °C, the amount of DEHP released from PLA, PS, and PVC increased by 38.4%, 71.0%, and 109%, respectively. The lower the crystallinity, the greater the increase in the amount of DEHP released. Ionic strength inhibited the release of DEHP from MPs. When Na+ concentration increased from 0 to 200 mM, the amount of DEHP released from PLA, PS, and PVC decreased by 27.4%, 41.6%, and 35.3%, respectively. The effect of Ca2+ on DEHP release from MPs was greater than that of Na+. In addition, the process of DEHP release from MPs fit well with a pseudo-first-order kinetic model. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for managing and controlling the risks associated with plastic wastes.

Fluorination of PVC medical devices to prevent plasticizers migration.

Medical devices (MD) are often made of plasticized polyvinylchloride (PVC). However, plasticizers may leach out into infused solutions and expose the patients to a toxic risk. The aim of the present work is to fluorinate plasticized PVC tubular MDs to create a barrier layer on their internal surface, and to study the impact of such a chemical treatment on the migration of the plasticizers. Following fluorination by pure molecular fluorine, the physico-chemical characterization of these modified MDs was carried out using various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques or tensile tests, evidencing the formation of covalent C-F bonds on the surface of the treated samples without modification of their mechanical and optical properties. The migration of plasticizers from fluorinated MDs was assessed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and was found considerably decreased in comparison with the pristine MDs. After 24 h, the amount of tri-octyltrimellitate plasticizer (TOTM) detected in migrates from fluorinated MDs was even lower than the limit of quantification. Complementary cytotoxicity assays were performed according to the ISO EN 10993-5 standard, showing that the new fluorinated material does not cause a cytotoxic effect on L929 cells.

Dechlorination of waste polyvinyl chloride (PVC) through non-thermal plasma.

Dechlorination is essential for the chemical recycling of waste polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics. This study investigated the use of non-thermal plasma (NTP) for chlorine removal, with a focus on the effects of treatment time and discharge power on dechlorination efficiency. The results showed that longer treatment times and higher discharge powers led to better dechlorination performance. The maximum efficiency (98.25%) and HCl recovery yield (55.72%) were achieved at 180 W power after 40 min of treatment where 96.44% of Cl existed in the form of HCl gas, 1.44% in the liquid product, and 2.12% in the solid residue product. NTP at a discharge power of 150 W showed better dechlorination performance compared to traditional thermal pyrolysis treatment in temperatures ranging from 200 to 400 °C. The activation energy analysis of the chlorine removal showed that compared to pyrolysis-based dechlorination (137.09 kJ/mol), NTP-based dechlorination (23.62 kJ/mol) was more easily achievable. This work presents a practical method for the dechlorination of waste PVC plastic using a novel technology without requiring additional thermal and pressure input.

Preparation of carbon nanotubes by catalytic pyrolysis of dechlorinated PVC.

Plastic waste is attracting growing interest for its utilization potential as a valuable resource. However, conventional thermochemical methods can hardly achieve high-value utilization of certain plastics, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) characterized with high chlorine content. Here, a low-temperature aerobic pretreatment method was introduced to realize high-efficiency dechlorination of PVC, and then the dechlorinated PVC was used to prepare carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by a catalytic pyrolysis. The results demonstrate that oxygen can significantly promote the HCl release in a pretty low-temperature range (260-340 °C). Chlorine was almost completely eliminated at 280 °C under 20 % oxygen concentration. Compared to untreated PVC, using the dechlorinated PVC as raw material, higher carbon deposition was obtained and over 60 % CNTs could be collected from the carbon deposition. This study provides a high-value utilization way for the production of CNTs from waste PVC.

Chemical recycling technologies for PVC waste and PVC-containing plastic waste: A review.

The extensive production and consumption of plastics has resulted in significant plastic waste and plastic pollution. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) waste has a high chlorine content and is the primary source of chlorine in the plastic waste stream, potentially generating hazardous chlorinated organic pollutants if treated improperly. This review discusses PVC synthesis, applications, and the current types and challenges of PVC waste management. Dechlorination is vital for the chemical recycling of PVC waste and PVC-containing plastic waste. We review dehydrochlorination and dechlorination mechanisms of PVC using thermal degradation and wet treatments, and summarize the recent progress in chemical treatments and dechlorination principles. This review provides readers with a comprehensive analysis of chemical recycling technologies for PVC waste and PVC-containing plastic waste to transform them into chemicals, fuels, feedstock, and value-added polymers.

Migration of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, diisononylcyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate and di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate from transfusion medical devices in labile blood products: A comparative study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plasticized with di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a widely used material for medical transfusion devices. Not covalently bound to PVC, DEHP can migrate into blood products during storage. Recognized as an endocrine disruptor and raising concerns about its potential carcinogenicity and reprotoxicity, DEHP is gradually being withdrawn from the medical device market. Therefore, the use of alternative plasticizers, such as diisononylcyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (DINCH) and di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHT), as potential candidates for the replacement of DEHP in medical transfusion devices has been investigated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quantity of PVC-plasticizers in the blood components according to their preparation, storage conditions and in function of the plasticizer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Whole blood was collected, and labile blood products (LBPs) were prepared by the buffy-coat method with a PVC blood bag plasticized either with DEHP, DINCH or DEHT. DINCH and DEHT equivalent concentrations were quantified in LBPs by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry or coupled with UV and compared to DEHP equivalent concentrations. RESULTS: The plasticizer equivalent concentration to which a patient is exposed during a transfusion depends on the preparation of LBPs as well as their storage conditions, that is, temperature and storage time. At day 1, for all LBPs, the migration of DEHP is 5.0 and 8.5 times greater than DINCH and DEHT, respectively. At the end of the 49 days storage period, the DEHP equivalent concentration in red blood cells concentrate is statistically higher when compared to DINCH and DEHT, with maximal values of 1.85, 1.13 and 0.86 µg/dm2 /mL, respectively. CONCLUSION: In addition to lower toxicity, transfused patients using PVC-DEHT or PVC-DINCH blood bags are less exposed to plasticizers than using PVC-DEHP bags with a ranging exposure reduction from 38.9% to 87.3%, due to lower leachability into blood components.