Editing Polyethylene (section)

=== Climate change ===
When exposed to ambient solar radiation the plastic produces trace amounts of two [[greenhouse gas]]es, [[methane]] and [[ethylene]]. The plastic type which releases gases at the highest rate is [[low-density polyethylene]] (LDPE). Due to its low density it breaks down more easily over time, leading to higher surface areas.  When incubated in air, LDPE emits gases at rates ~2 times and ~76 times higher in comparison to incubation in water for methane and ethylene, respectively. However, based on the rates measured in the study methane production by plastics is presently an insignificant component of the global methane budget.<ref>{{cite journal | doi = 10.1371/journal.pone.0200574 | pmid = 30067755 | pmc = 6070199 | title = Production of methane and ethylene from plastic in the environment | journal = PLOS ONE | volume = 13 | issue = 8 | pages = e0200574 | year = 2018 | last1 = Royer | first1 = Sarah-Jeanne | last2 = Ferrón | first2 = Sara | last3 = Wilson | first3 = Samuel T. | last4 = Karl | first4 = David M. | bibcode = 2018PLoSO..1300574R | doi-access = free }}</ref>