State of the
science
on plastic
chemicals
Identifying and addressing chemicals and polymers of concern
Documentation for the PlastChem Database
The PlastChem database provides all the information associated with the report. The full database is organized into 10 sections. These sections include:
Unique identifiers for the chemicals listed in the PlastChem database, including a PlastChem identification number, CAS Registry Numbers, legacy CAS numbers, and the chemical name.
Chemical properties, including molecular formula, molecular weight, canonical and isomeric smiles, InChI Key, predicted octanol-water partition coefficient, exact mass, topological polar surface area, complexity of the chemical structure, and formal charge of a chemical.
Lists of chemicals provided in the PlastChem Report that classify chemicals based on their hazard properties and regulatory status.
- Red List: Chemicals of concern
- Orange List: Less hazardous chemicals
- Watch List: Chemicals that are currently under evaluation or pending classification
- White List: Chemicals evaluated and concluded not hazardous
- MEA List: Chemicals currently globally regulated under MEAs (Multilateral Environmental Agreements)
- Grey List: Chemicals lacking hazard data
Hazard information for each chemical is summarized with an overall Hazard Score, offering a quick and comprehensive overview of its hazard status. The score indicates whether the chemical is of concern, less concern, under evaluation, non-hazardous, or lacks hazard data. Additionally, detailed scores for hazard classes and traits are also provided for deeper insight.
Group(s) to which a chemical belongs to based on its structure. Additional information on priority groups and European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) grouping is provided.
Regulatory status for each chemical summarized in the MEA_List and Precedent_List columns. The MEA List outlines the chemical’s regulation under existing Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), and the Precedent List indicates whether the chemical is regulated at a regional or national level. Additional details on specific regulations are provided.
Evidence of commercial use, presence, and release from plastics is consolidated into an overall UPR_Summary, offering a quick and comprehensive overview of the available data. For more detailed insights, separate summaries are provided for each component: Use, Presence and Release. Additional details on the polymer type where the chemical is used, detected to be present, or to be released from are provided in the additional columns.
Production volume information of a chemical.
Function(s) of a chemical as harmonized in PlastChem. Additional information on the original functions from the sources is also provided.
Tracking information provided for the sources used to assemble the PlastChem database.
Further documentation and case studies for using the PlastChem database can be found here.
Questions or comments: Please email plastchem@bio.ntnu.no