3 ms·

Do you have sources? The paper cited in the article only tangentially talks about byproducts: > The most frequent hydrocarbon bond is the CH2–CH2, as in PE (Fi

Do you have sources? The paper cited in the article only tangentially talks about byproducts: > The most frequent hydrocarbon bond is the CH2–CH2, as in PE (Figure S1B). Although the molecular details of wax biodegradation require further investigation, it seems likely that the C–C single bond of these aliphatic compounds is one of the targets of digestion. Which seems to imply methylene(o) as the byproduct? Also burning plastic releases more than just CO2: > The most dangerous emissions can be caused by burning plastics containing organoch- lor-based substances like PVC. When such plastics are burned, harmful quantities of dioxins, a group of highly toxic chemicals are emitted. Dioxins are the most toxic to the human organisms. (i) (o) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methylene_(compound) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methylene_(compound) (i) http://www.wecf.eu/cms/download/2004-2005/homeburning_plastics.pdf http://www.wecf.eu/cms/download/2004-2005/homeburning_plasti...

philipkglass 9y ago
Yes, the combustion of PVC and other halogenated hydrocarbons can produce dioxins. This worm digests polyethylene, a halogen-free hydrocarbon that does not produce dioxins even if burned. The article says "The analysis showed the worms transformed the polyethylene into ethylene glycol, representing un-bonded 'monomer' molecules." Methylene itself is an extremely reactive species that cannot be isolated outside of exotic conditions such as trapping in a frozen noble gas matrix. Ethylene glycol has a short environmental half-life and is oxidized to simple compounds like CO2 and H2O by a variety of processes: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11302583 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11302583 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gordon_Craig/publication/279958104_Fate_effects_and_potential_environmental_risks_of_ethylene_glycol_A_review/links/55b3a32708aed621de010185/Fate-effects-and-potential-environmental-risks-of-ethylene-glycol-A-review.pdf https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gordon_Craig/publicatio...
- sqldba 9y ago
  I googled and Wikipedia said Ethylene glycol is also toxic to people and animals. So like yeah it must have to go through some other process after the worms eat it. It sounds like it'll get really complicated.

philipkglass 9y ago

Yes, the combustion of PVC and other halogenated hydrocarbons can produce dioxins. This worm digests polyethylene, a halogen-free hydrocarbon that does not produce dioxins even if burned. The article says "The analysis showed the worms transformed the polyethylene into ethylene glycol, representing un-bonded 'monomer' molecules." Methylene itself is an extremely reactive species that cannot be isolated outside of exotic conditions such as trapping in a frozen noble gas matrix. Ethylene glycol has a short environmental half-life and is oxidized to simple compounds like CO2 and H2O by a variety of processes: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11302583 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11302583 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gordon_Craig/publication/279958104_Fate_effects_and_potential_environmental_risks_of_ethylene_glycol_A_review/links/55b3a32708aed621de010185/Fate-effects-and-potential-environmental-risks-of-ethylene-glycol-A-review.pdf https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gordon_Craig/publicatio...

sqldba 9y ago
I googled and Wikipedia said Ethylene glycol is also toxic to people and animals. So like yeah it must have to go through some other process after the worms eat it. It sounds like it'll get really complicated.