Original Research

Spectacle frames: Disposal practices, biodegradability and biocompatibility – A pilot study

Rekha Hansraj, Bavahnee Govender, Muhammed Joosab, Sinenhlanhla Magubane, Zahira Rawat, Ajay Bissessur
African Vision and Eye Health | Vol 80, No 1 | a621 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/aveh.v80i1.621 | © 2021 Rekha Hansraj, Bavahnee Govender, Muhammed Joosab, Sinenhlanhla Magubane, Zahira Rawat, Ajay Bissessur | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 09 October 2020 | Published: 14 May 2021

About the author(s)

Rekha Hansraj, Department of Optometry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Bavahnee Govender, Department of Optometry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Muhammed Joosab, Department of Optometry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Sinenhlanhla Magubane, Department of Optometry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Zahira Rawat, Department of Optometry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Ajay Bissessur, Department of Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Only limited information is available on the disposal methods for spectacle frames, and their interaction with the environment once such disposal occurs.

Aim: This study investigates the disposal of spectacle frames and provides a preliminary report on their biodegradability and biocompatibility.

Setting: The study was conducted at a university in the south eastern part of South Africa.

Methods: The study was conducted in two parts: Part A consisted of an explorative, quantitative design using a closed-ended questionnaire investigating the current disposal methods of 375 spectacle wearers for their old spectacles; and Part B consisted of a descriptive, cross-sectional design involving chemical analyses of metal and plastic spectacle frames.

Results: Almost 55% of the participants reported either keeping or reusing their spectacles. Only 5% had used a recycling method when disposing their previous spectacles. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy results showed that metal frames do not degrade easily unless they are oxidised in an acidic environment. Lead was detected in two metal frames. Results of thermogravimetric analysis revealed that plastic frames only begin to degrade at temperatures over 250 °C. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry results suggest that plastic frames, except three dimensional (3-D) polarisers, are biocompatible as they are stable, not chlorinated and do not possess heavy metals. The results suggested that eco-friendly frames may be the most biocompatible.

Conclusion: It appears that few spectacle wearers use recycling for disposing their frames. Current metal and plastic spectacle frames appear to have poor biodegradability but good biocompatibility.


Keywords

biocompatibility; biodegradability; disposal practices; eco-friendly spectacle frames; gas chromatography; spectacle frames; spectroscopy

Metrics

Total abstract views: 2833
Total article views: 4662

 

Crossref Citations

1. Spectacle lens and contact lens recycling in South Africa
Rayishnee Pillay, Rekha Hansraj, Nishanee Rampersad
African Vision and Eye Health  vol: 82  issue: 1  year: 2023  
doi: 10.4102/aveh.v82i1.777