PCBs are used in many industries: as heat-exchange liquid in transformers, in paint additives and in making plastics.

CNN: THE GREAT DIOXIN SCARE

Current cellulose based plastics include large amounts of petroleum-based additives, which results in a low plant component ratio.

ENGADGET: NEC builds a better bioplastic from plant stems and cashew nut shells

One of the greatest uncertainties is whether this leads to the bioaccumulation of the contaminant load (absorbed and plastic additives), and hence whether micro-plastics represent an additional and significant vector for transferring pollutants.

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