The Making of Eco-Friendly Plastics

Scientists have made a plastic which is eco-friendly in nature. It is developed by using lemon extracts and carbon-dioxide. It is working as a replacement item for the cancer – causing materials which are widely used in items of daily use like phone – cases, baby bottles and DVDs.

Every year around the world a lot of tones of polycarbonate are being produced. The tensions about the dangers of this material have increased rapidly. The toxicity of one of the potential carcinogens, bisphenol – A has also contributed in worries. A team of researchers is led by Arjan Kleij from Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) in Spain. They developed a method to produce polycarbonates from CO2 and Limonene. Both of them are abundant and natural products. Limonene is able to replace widely used bisphenol-A, also known as BPA.

BPA was earlier classified as safe chemical by American and European Agencies. But now, some studies figured it out and said that it is a potential endocrine – disruptor, neurotoxic and carcinogen.

By: Bhavna Sharma

Content: Hindustan Times