Thompson Richard C

1. Introduction Click to copy section linkSection link copied! Plastics, operationally defined as manufactured materials made of repeating polymer units, are widely used for their versatility, flexibility, and low cost. (1−4) Global plastic production is exponentially increasing, reaching nearly 460 million metric tons (Mt) in the year 2019 alone. (5) This represents a reservoir of materials in the environment that is seven times the annual global production rate of secondary organic aerosol (SOA).

Introduction Since the introduction of the first synthetic polymer—Bakelite—in 1907, synthetic polymers and plastics have become commonplace in the daily lives of billions of people around the globe due to their wide-ranging properties and utility.(1) From the pipes in massive buildings to corrective eyewear, polymers have become a necessary addition to the global landscape.(2,3) In recent years, the downside and dangers of specific classes of polymers have been increasingly made known to...