Polyurethane, toxic contaminants

Addition of microorganisms and enzymes stimulates the biodegradation of xenobiotics in soils. Most efforts have been directed toward the use of bacterial inocula grown in large fermenters for the bioremediation of soils contaminated with PCP. Also, microbial immobilization on bark chips or their encapsulation in polyurethane or alginate, enhances their PCP-degrading ability as well as their resistance to PCP toxicity. 

Flame retardant additives can also modify the types of products that are released during incineration of waste polymers and in this way the flame retardants are contaminants which also affect the quaternary recycling of polymers (that is, the incineration of polymers to recover heat). For example, the thermal degradation of polyurethane, PU, can produce a complex mixture of products. However, in the presence of a common phosphorus-based flame retardant (such as ammonium polyphosphate), aniline (which is quite toxic) becomes a relevant volatile combustion product. ... 

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