Bakelite is a manufactured, synthetic plastic containing high amounts of toxic polymers like formaldehyde and asbestos among others.[3]
Formaldehyde can cause irritation of the nose, eyes, throat and skin. High levels of exposure to formaldehyde may even cause some types of cancers. Thus, those who produce Bakelite products will put themselves at risk.[2]
Collecting and owning Bakelite products does pose a health threat. The problem is that if a Bakelite product breaks, the synthetic materials become airborne and could easily result in ingestion, direct skin contact or inhalation. Disposing of Bakelite is very hazardous to the environment, just like other plastic-based products. Many people are exposed to Bakelite from replacing ceiling or floor tiles or when a dish or bracelet is broken.[3]
Bakelite not only contains formaldehyde, but also asbestos, which is a known and dangerous toxin. Exposure to asbestos can lead to lung infections, mesothelioma and other respiratory problems. Mesothelioma is a cancer that often starts in the covering of the lungs but can also start in the abdomen.[3]
The disposal of Bakelite and its sustainability is obviously critical due to its hazardous qualities. One way to ensure the sustainability of Bakelite in a non-hazardous manner is by recycling waste Bakelite as a carbon resource in ironmaking. Bakelite contains high levels of carbon and calcium carbonate (CaCO3), which can be recovered for use as a fluxing and reducing agent in ironmaking. In short, this is done by pyrolysing raw Bakelite within the temperature range 1200-1600 °C in a horizontal tube furnace. Then, composite pellets are formed from mixtures of iron oxide and post-consumer Bakelite. The iron oxide-Bakelite composites are then heated from room temperature to 1200 °C and then between 1200-1600 °C in a continuous stream of pure argon. The off gas is analysed continuously using an infrared (IR) gas analyser.[1]
References:
- Dankwah, J. and Baawuah, E. (2015). Recycling Waste Bakelite As A Carbon Resource In Ironmaking. 1st ed. [ebook] INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC & TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH. Available at: http://www.ijstr.org/final-print/feb2015/Recycling-Waste-Bakelite-As-A-Carbon-Resource-In-Ironmaking.pdf [Accessed 1 Oct. 2016].
- Epa.gov. (2016). Facts About Formaldehyde | Formaldehyde | US EPA. [online] Available at: https://www.epa.gov/formaldehyde/facts-about-formaldehyde [Accessed 1 Oct. 2016].
- Sunnyray.org. (2016). Toxic Plastics: Bakelite, the Silent Killer| Natural Health. [online] Available at: http://www.sunnyray.org/Toxic-plastics-bakelite.htm [Accessed 1 Oct. 2016].
Bakelite 