Protection Against Pollution of Polymeric Materials—Toxicity of Degradation Products of Polymeric Materials to the Environment

Abstract

To study and describe the bad effects on the environment of polymers manufactured by industry is important for researchers who study and produce those polymers. The toxicity and the effects of the degradation products of polymers have been systematically and experimentally investigated and analyzed. Many chemicals that are suspected to have toxicity are found in products. In particular, there are many compounds whose effects on the environment have not yet been researched. The “Mercury Equivalent” was defined and the toxicity of the moltiple products was calculated and evaluated. The magnitude is 8000 Ton of mercury equivalent (TME), which is much smaller than the amount that is generated from the non-ferrous industry. However, the maxinum levels premitted by laws are not clear and the impact of the toxicity of polymers strongly depends on the systems that handle them in society.