Toxicological Assessment of Additives in Commercial Biodegradable Plastics: Impacts on Environment and Human Health
발표자
안소연 (인천대학교)
연구책임자
강동구 (인천대학교)
초록
내용
Polylactic acid (PLA) and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT)-based biodegradable plastics have emerged as promising eco-friendly alternatives to conventional fossil-based polymers. However, various chemical additives are commonly incorporated to enhance their mechanical strength and barrier properties, some of which may exhibit toxicity and environmental persistence. In this study, microbial toxicity was assessed using Bacillus subtilis, while environmental toxicity was evaluated with Raphanus sativus seeds and the marine copepod Tigriopus japonicus. Cytotoxicity was further tested in human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and hepatocytes (HepG2), revealing clear toxic effects in several samples. Although biodegradable plastics offer environmental advantages, the findings indicate that certain additives may pose biological risks. These findings highlight the need for systematic toxicity assessment of plastic additives and the establishment of stricter regulatory standards.