Glow Sticks Research Paper
. Safety aspect of glow sticks
Glow sticks are a form of lighting typically used in events and parties. The chemicals responsible for luminescence are contained within a plastic case. The chemicals are separated by a glass vial, such that when the stick is bent, the vial breaks and allows the reaction to occur.
In general, glow sticks are considered safe to use. None of the chemicals used are classified as radiation, flammable or explosive hazards. Some of the chemicals however, are classified as toxic.
There are three main components of glow sticks that are considered toxic: dibutyl phthalate, hydrogen peroxide and pthalic oxalate esters. Dibutyl phthalate is a colorless organic liquid that is used as a plasticizer (additives that make …show more content…
Hence, the main precaution to be taken while handling glow sticks is to make sure that the plastic case remains intact. The plastic case is typically fragile and prone to breaking, even before bending. In rare cases, the shattered glass vial in ruptured glow sticks may cause incision and bleeding. The average preservation time of glow sticks is two years, during which exposure to direct sunlight or high temperatures should be avoided as they may accelerate the decomposition of the plastic …show more content…
Major chemical components of glow sticks are: dibutyl phthalate, hydrogen peroxide, and phenyl oxalate ester. Hydrogen peroxide rapidly decomposes in the environment to form harmless molecular oxygen and water[22].
Phthalates released to the environment in landfill sites similarly do not persist due to biodegradation, photodegradation and anaerobic degradation. The predicted current environmental concentration of phthalates was deemed to cause no adverse effects[23]. Thus there is no need for further risk reduction measures for now. However, pthalates do not readily break down in bodies of water, sediment, deep soil and ground water. There is a high potential for bioaccumulation of dibutyl phthalate in marine animals[23].
Glow sticks contribute to pollution in a similar way to all plastic products. The plastic case can not be disposed by incineration as they may release corrosive fumes such as hydrogen chloride from common plastic constituents such as chloroethene. The luminescent phenyl oxalate esters also produces toxic phenol fumes if burned[24]. The plastic case can be ingested by animals, particularly by marine animals and sea birds; potentially inducing fatal poisoning. Glow stick cases was one type of plastic found in dead short-tailed shearwater’s
Glow sticks are a form of lighting typically used in events and parties. The chemicals responsible for luminescence are contained within a plastic case. The chemicals are separated by a glass vial, such that when the stick is bent, the vial breaks and allows the reaction to occur.
In general, glow sticks are considered safe to use. None of the chemicals used are classified as radiation, flammable or explosive hazards. Some of the chemicals however, are classified as toxic.
There are three main components of glow sticks that are considered toxic: dibutyl phthalate, hydrogen peroxide and pthalic oxalate esters. Dibutyl phthalate is a colorless organic liquid that is used as a plasticizer (additives that make …show more content…
Hence, the main precaution to be taken while handling glow sticks is to make sure that the plastic case remains intact. The plastic case is typically fragile and prone to breaking, even before bending. In rare cases, the shattered glass vial in ruptured glow sticks may cause incision and bleeding. The average preservation time of glow sticks is two years, during which exposure to direct sunlight or high temperatures should be avoided as they may accelerate the decomposition of the plastic …show more content…
Major chemical components of glow sticks are: dibutyl phthalate, hydrogen peroxide, and phenyl oxalate ester. Hydrogen peroxide rapidly decomposes in the environment to form harmless molecular oxygen and water[22].
Phthalates released to the environment in landfill sites similarly do not persist due to biodegradation, photodegradation and anaerobic degradation. The predicted current environmental concentration of phthalates was deemed to cause no adverse effects[23]. Thus there is no need for further risk reduction measures for now. However, pthalates do not readily break down in bodies of water, sediment, deep soil and ground water. There is a high potential for bioaccumulation of dibutyl phthalate in marine animals[23].
Glow sticks contribute to pollution in a similar way to all plastic products. The plastic case can not be disposed by incineration as they may release corrosive fumes such as hydrogen chloride from common plastic constituents such as chloroethene. The luminescent phenyl oxalate esters also produces toxic phenol fumes if burned[24]. The plastic case can be ingested by animals, particularly by marine animals and sea birds; potentially inducing fatal poisoning. Glow stick cases was one type of plastic found in dead short-tailed shearwater’s