Rare earths contaminating food packaging and other plastics, study suggests: More research needed to pin down sources

摘要

Rare earth metals used in electrical items are appearing in everyday consumer plastics, including food packaging, according to a study by a team from the US and UK. Rare earth elements (REEs) have specialist functions in modern electronic devices, from smartphones to electric cars, because of their magnetic, phosphorescent and electrochemical properties. They are not deliberately added to plastics but may contaminate those destined for recycling when electronic devices are taken apart.