ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL-IMPACT OF RECYCLED PLASTIC TIMBERS USED IN THETIFFANY STREET PIER, SOUTH BRONX, NEW-YORK

An assessment was made of the chemical environmental impact of a new p ier constructed of recycled postconsumer waste plastic in the East Riv er, New York City. The waste plastic consists principally of polyethyl ene and polyethylene terephthalate. Plastic pilings are immune to the marine boring organisms that are destroying conventional wood structur es. A variety of organic compounds and metal ions are leached from the plastic surface but in small quantities to produce river water concen trations far lower than those of compounds found to be already present . Many of the leached compounds seem to be characteristic of product r esidues in the plastic containers. In comparison, significant amounts of As, Cr, Cu, Mn and Se were leached from pressure-treated lumber, an other material used in pier construction. In addition to its aesthetic and functional qualities, recycled plastic timber has the significant environmental advantage that it will not add appreciably to the pollu tant load of the East River. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.