Degradation of Polyvinyl Alcohol in US Wastewater Treatment Plants and Subsequent Nationwide Emission Estimate

Estimated 17200 ± 5000 tons per year of PVA used in laundry and dish detergent pods in the US, with 10500 ± 3000 reaching wastewater treatment plants. Literature review data, and model, estimated ~61% of PVA ending up in the environment via the sludge and ~15.7% via the aqueous phase. PVA presence in the environment, regardless of its matrix, is a threat to the ecosystem due to the potential mobilization of heavy metals and other hydrophilic contaminants.