Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 9.5:
Oil based chemicals with high environmental risk
Oil based chemical
Areas of use
Environmental effects
Formaldehyde
Glue in chipboard and
plywood
Carcinogenic; allergenic; irritates air
inhalation routes; poisonous to water
organisms
Phenol
Glue in laminated timber
Carcinogenic; mutagenic; poisonous to
water organisms
Chloroprene
Synthetic rubber, glue
Carcinogenic; damages liver and kidneys;
irritates inhalation routes
Butadiene
Synthetic rubber (SBR)
Probably carcinogenic
Vinyl chloride
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
Persistent carcinogenic; can cause damage to
liver, lungs, skin and joints; irritates
inhalation routes; poisonous to water
organisms
Ethylene (ethene)
Polyethylene
Probably carcinogenic
Propylene (propene)
Polyethylene
Probably carcinogenic
Phthalates
Softeners in plastics
Persistent; irritates the mucous membranes;
allergenic; probably carcinogenic;
environmental oestrogen: damages
reproductive organs
Amines
Silicone, polyurethane,
epoxy
Irritate inhalation routes; allergenic; possibly
mutagenic; very acidifying in water
Epichlorohydrin
Epoxy
Carcinogenic; highly poisonous to water
organisms
Acrylonitrile
Synthetic rubber
Carcinogenic; highly poisonous to water
organisms
Acrylic acid
Acrylic plastics and paints
Poisonous to water organisms
Styrene
Polystyrene, polyester,
synthetic rubber (SBR)
Irritates air inhalation routes; damages the
reproductive organs
Isocyanate (TDI, MDI,
etc.)
Polyurethane, glue
Strongly allergenic; difficult to break down;
irritates skin and mucous membranes
Alkyl phenol toxilates
Pigement paste, alkyd
varnish
Environmental oestrogen; damages
reproductive organs
Previously oil from coal and partly natural materials such as cellulose, animal
and vegetable proteins were used.
The definition of a plastic is: a substance that contains natural or synthetic high
molecular organic material which can be liquefied and thereby cast in specific
