MadSci Network: Chemistry |
Hi Travis. You need to know how dioxins are released from plastic. Although all of the sources or processes that contribute to Chlorinated dioxins in the environment have not been identified, Chlorinated dioxins are known to be formed in the manufacture of chlorinated organic chemicals and pesticides, during smelting of metals, in the incineration of municipal, medical, and industrial wastes, and from the production of bleached wood pulp and paper. Chlorinated dioxins are also found in emissions from the combustion of various other sources, including coal-fired or oil fired power plants, wood burning, and home heating systems. Chlorinated dioxins also occur in other combustion products (e.g., cigarette smoke), automobile exhaust from cars running on leaded gasoline with chlorine scavengers and to a lesser extent from cars running on unleaded gasoline, and diesel exhaust. Chlorinated dioxins can form during the synthesis and combustion of chlorine-containing materials, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Chlorinated dioxins occur as contaminants in the manufacture of various pesticides and, as a result, have been released to the environment during use of these pesticides. The historical increase in Chlorinated dioxins, suggesting that accumulation of these compounds in the environment is a recent phenomenon related to the production, use, and subsequent incineration of chlorinated organic chemicals. Chlorinated dioxins strongly adsorb to soils and sediments. Due to their low vapor pressure and low aqueous solubility and their strong sorption to particulates, Chlorinated dioxins are generally immobile in soils and sediments. In my research I could not find any reference to release of dioxins from plastics exposed to microwave energy. As fare as their release from landfills as you can see from the above paragraph dioxins are strongly attracted to soils and have low vapor pressure thus they are generally immobile in soils. PCB’s on the other hand have been shown to be released from contaminated soils in landfills and hazardous waste sites; deposition of vehicular emissions near roadway soil; and land application of sewage sledges containing PCBs. It has been suggested that certain electrical appliances and devices (e.g., fluorescent lighting ballasts) and building materials (elastic sealant), which have PCB-containing components, may emit PCBs into the indoor air, thereby elevating indoor PCB levels significantly above outdoor background levels. I hope I have answered you question. Good luck on you science project. For more information see the following sites: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxpro2.html - Dioxin
Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Chemistry.