SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): The PlastChem Report, compiled from results of various researches, lists out more than 16,000 chemicals present in plastic products. Out of these, around 4,000 were found harmful to human health and the environment. The report was released yesterday.

The report sorts chemicals used in plastics based on their environmental and health impacts. Nearly 26% of the chemical compounds used as raw ingredients, stabilisers and colourants are of toxic nature. The information presented in the report is expected to help governments and international bodies to formulate fresh regulations and policy decisions on curbing use of plastic.

According to the report, more than 400 chemicals are present in every major commonly used plastic product such as food packaging.

The PlastChem report highlighted non-availability of hazard data for more than 10,000 chemicals used in the plastic industry. Also, no information was available publicly for use of as many as 9,000 compounds in products, mainly due to unwillingness of the plastics industry to share its proprietary information.

In the view of the above findings, the report calls for fresh and innovative approaches to regulate plastic chemicals.