Studies on the Release of Selected Plasticizers from Polymer Packaging into the Aquatic Environment under Laboratory Conditions

Abstract Plastics constitute a significant source of chemical additives that can migrate into aquatic environments during use and the degradation of polymer materials. The aim of this study was to determine the release dynamics of selected plasticizers (phthalates and bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate) and phenolic compounds (alkylphenols and bisphenol A) from single-use products made from different types of plastics. The study was conducted under laboratory conditions using leaching tests in distilled water over three time intervals (7, 30, and 60 days). The analyzed materials were classified into seven groups according to recycling codes (polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), other (OTHER)). Concentrations were determined using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The results showed significant variation in the amounts of released additives depending on the type of polymer and the duration of the test. The highest concentrations of phthalates and bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate were observed in products made of HDPE and PVC, whereas for alkylphenols and bisphenol A, PVC was the dominant polymer exhibiting the highest concentrations. Temporal variability in the concentrations of organic compounds leached from the polymer matrix was observed, most likely due to the experimental design and the non-linear nature of the leaching process. The obtained results indicate that single-use polymer products can serve as a potential source of organic contaminants in aquatic environments, and that the migration of additives is influenced by multiple material and environmental factors.