Understanding the environmental impact and risks of organic additives in plastics: A call for sustained research and sustainable solutions

The pervasive use of plastics in modern society necessitates the incorporation of organic additives to enhance their performance. However, the leachability of these additives and their potential adverse effects on environmental and biological health have raised significant concerns. This review provides a comprehensive evaluation of the factors influencing the release of organic additives from plastics and examines their detrimental impacts on organisms and humans. It discusses effective degradation techniques, such as photodegradation and biodegradation, to mitigate these adverse effects. Furthermore, this review explores recent advancements in eco-friendly plastic additives, including bio-based plasticizers, flame retardants, antioxidants, and environmentally friendly non-biobased additives. It highlights their potential as alternatives to traditional additives. This review integrates the latest research findings and emerging trends, underscoring the need for continued research and development of sustainable solutions. It aims to facilitate the transition to environmentally friendly degradation techniques and greener plastic additives. This effort contributes to environmental protection and sustainable development, providing crucial guidance and insights for future research and practical applications. (c) 2024 The Authors. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of KeAi Communications Co. Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/ 4.0/).