What is the environmental impact of antimony used as a catalyst in making PET?
Frequently Asked Questions Concerning PET and Antimony
Where can I find information on the European Chemicals Bureau risk assessment on antimony trioxide?
IAOIA (International Antimony Oxide Industry Association) has information about the risk assessment on its website at www.iaoia.org. There are sections on the risk assessment, ATOS (Antimony Trioxide Stakeholders, a group formed to provide data for the risk assessment), and periodic newsletters with updates. When the risk assessment is completed, it will be available at http://ecb.jrc.it/. IAOIA Secretary General Karine Van de Velde Karine can be contacted for more detailed information.(vandevelde@campine.be + 32 14 601 578)
Mike Neal (mike.neal@plasticseurope.com) may also be contacted for more information concerning antimony oxide in relation to PET.
What is industry doing to understand the environmental impact of its use of antimony trioxide?
In cooperation with the European Chemicals Bureau risk assessment process, an industry consortium gathered data to clarify discussion items on occupational exposure and environmental toxicity. So far, all studies have confirmed that antimony trioxide can be safely produced and used throughout its life-cycle. See http://www.iaoia.org/ATOS.htm for more information.
Why doesn't the PET industry just use a different catalyst?
However, there is a large amount of data to indicate that the antimony present in PET bottles does not present a risk to the environment. Furthermore, despite much work to find improved catalysts, the antimony is still considered the best currently available catalyst on the basis of performance and product quality. Industry is always looking for ways to improve products. It is safe to say that an alternative catalyst would be adopted if it offers a sufficiently attractive combination of performance and economics to justify a change while maintaining a high level of safety for consumers and the environment.
Could disposal of PET bottles cause accumulation of antimony in the environment?
There is little opportunity for the antimony in PET to enter into the environment. Migration occurs only at very low levels that are considered to be safe. When incinerated, studies have shown that antimony generally either ends up in the bottom ash or in the fly ash that is trapped by electrostatic precipitators.
Is it safe to wear fleece or other textiles manufactured from recycled PET bottles?
Yes. The PET in bottles is not only safe for contact with food but is also essentially the same PET that has been safely used in textiles for several decades. Antimony has long been used as a catalyst for PET intended for both fiber use and food packaging use.