Abstract
The effects of polymer type, particle size, leaching temperature, and duration on leachate bioactivity from polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were examined with a framework for screening human-health implications. Fractions spanning 0.175–3.0 mm were leached for 30 days. Phytotoxicity was assessed in wheat and lentil with leachates prepared at 25 °C, 37 °C, and 60 °C; sperm motility and dermal irritation were assessed at 40 °C using bull semen and rabbits. Higher temperature significantly inhibited germination parameters (p < 0.001), and 0.175–0.3 mm fractions produced the strongest effects. Phytotoxicity ranked PP > PET > PE, whereas spermatotoxicity ranked PET > PP > PE. The lowest scenario-specific Germination Index (GI) dropped to 38.20%, sperm-motility deviation reached 29.1%, and the responses were inversely correlated (Pearson’s r = −0.547, df = 13, p = 0.035). Compared with previous 1-day data, 30-day leaching increased mean sperm-motility deviation 2.5–4.1-fold. One dermal application caused no visible irritation (index = 0). Across 45 scenarios, the Total Risk Index ranged from 0.012 to 0.400, whereas limiting-factor assessment assigned high-risk classes where endpoint-specific responses were diluted by averaging. The framework supports conservative hazard screening but does not establish human toxicity or exposure thresholds.