What are NIAS?
Non-intentionally added substances or NIAS are chemical compounds that can be found in plastics, both in polymeric raw materials and in final or semi-finished products. Its presence is due to various factors, such as manufacturing processes, contamination, decomposition or migration of other materials. These substances encompass additives, impurities and by-products that, although not deliberately added to plastic, can have significant implications on the safety and quality of the products. This is especially critical in sensitive applications, such as food packaging and medical products, where material integrity is essential to consumer health.
Impact of the NIAS on Health and recycling
Although there is still some uncertainty about the toxic effects of NIAS, it has been shown that they can have important negative consequences for human health. Some of these substances can function as endocrine disruptors, interfering with the body's hormonal system. This can lead to developmental problems, reproductive disorders, and an increased risk of chronic diseases, such as cancer. Furthermore, exposure to NIAS through food or medical product packaging can allow these substances to migrate into the products, creating additional risk for consumers.
On the other hand, the presence of NIAS in polymers complicates recycling and waste management efforts. Pollution can make certain plastics unsuitable for reuse, exacerbating the solid waste problem. NIAS can come from various sources, such as additives used in the manufacture of plastics or environmental contaminants, making it difficult to identify and separate high-quality recyclable materials. As a result, batches of recycled plastic may be generated that contain unacceptable levels of NIAS, limiting their reuse in sensitive applications and, in many cases, leading to these plastics ending up being incinerated. But, is there any standard that regulates the permitted levels of NIAS in the products?
NIAS and its Legal Status: The Need for Risk Assessment
Regulation (EU) 10/2011 establishes a fundamental regulatory framework for plastic materials and objects intended to come into contact with food, introducing the concept of NIAS. This regulation recognizes that the substances used in the manufacture of plastics may contain impurities derived from the production or extraction processes, as well as reaction and degradation products generated during the use of these materials.
The regulations require manufacturers to carry out a risk assessment of the NIAS detected, following internationally recognized scientific principles. This evaluation is crucial to ensure that the NIAS do not represent a risk to human health, which implies a detailed analysis of the toxicological properties of each substance and its level of exposure in the final products.
The risk assessment is carried out in accordance with Article 19 of the aforementioned regulation and is based on a wide range of data on the toxicology of chemicals, collected for REACH registrations and accessible to the public. For those substances that do not have enough information, computer models are used as the Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC, which are valuable tools for evaluating potential hazards. This approach not only helps identify and manage the risks associated with NIAS, but also promotes confidence in the safety of plastics in contact with food and other sensitive products.
Solutions for a Circular Economy
Currently, a growing number of companies are developing technological innovations to meet the challenge of NIAS and improve recycling rates for discarded plastics. More advanced waste sorting systems and more convenient recycling processes are being implemented, as well as methods of washing and decontaminating plastics through degassing in extrusion, in addition to the banning of certain substances.
Our solution
At Fych, however, we present a patented recycling technology for the decontamination of recycled plastics through a mechanical process that uses exclusively water vapor, whose objective is to eliminate organic contaminants (NIAS), and unwanted odors, thus guaranteeing safe reuse, effective and suitable for “food grade”.
This process is based on the principle of internal diffusion of toxic substances and odorous compounds. During the treatment, the high temperature reduces the boiling point of these compounds, facilitating their evaporation from the surface of the polymer into the air. In addition, we carry out plastic decontamination through a process that uses an innovative, non-volatile, water-soluble extracting agentthat operates at atmospheric pressure to remove contaminants from polyolefin matrices.
For more details on the plastic decontamination process, please click contact to fill out our form so we can contact you.
