Public awareness of health and safety issues related to air and food quality has been growing steadily. Polymeric materials have been implicated as sources of pollutants both during production and in use. There have been concerns about the oestrogenic properties of phthalate plasticisers and the toxic properties of styrene, formaldehyde and vinyl chloride monomer. In addition, the release of volatile organic compounds has effects on the environment. Plastic materials, solvents, varnishes, coatings, insulating materials, glues, carpets, foams, textiles and other products may all emit volatile organic compounds that contribute to the deterioration of ambient air quality in terms of odours and pollutants. The emission may originate from unreacted monomer, plasticisers, flame retardants, processing aids, biocides and decomposition products. These contaminants are of particular concern in confined spaces such as car interiors, houses and offices. This report outlines the key issues regarding emissions from plastics. It summarises the published research on a wide variety of materials and settings. New methods of analysis and testing have been developed or adapted to examine these emissions. Environmental test chambers have been built in a wide variety of sizes. Variables in experiments include temperature, humidity and air flow. There are standard quantities of materials to test depending on the application, for example, 0.4 m2/m3 for floorings and 0.5 m2/m3 for paint. Emission rates alter over time and it is important to know a product"s profile. Many attempts have been made to classify odour. The various methods and descriptors are discussed in this review, from the categories in use by Toyota to the "Champs des odeurs". In some cases panels of volunteers are used, in other instances electronic sensors have been developed. Food flavour can also be affected by plastic packaging. Data from analysis work on air quality and emissions from plastics is included in this report. The review is accompanied by around 400 abstracts from papers and books in the Rapra Polymer Library database, to facilitate further reading on this subject. It also contains an additional 130 references from the author"s library. A subject index and a company index are included. Key features… * chemical emissions * test methods * data * odour and flavour effects