his study has attempted as far as possible to mimic field conditions.
Modelled degradation kinetics are characterised by multi-phasic degradation patterns and degradation rate is affected by sunlight intensity
and polymer thickness. The degradation mechanism is that of photo induced weakening of the polymer matrix as indicated by the FTIR analysis, coupled with the formation of oxidation products; these structural
changes then result in the disintegration of the latex film.
The major finding of this study was to identify and quantify the
formation of particles in the nanosize range as well as dissolved organic compounds. The mass balance analysis also indicates that losses
of volatile materials to the air compartment may also occur. The results are significant as they show that receiving environments are potentially exposed to a mixture nanoscale polymer degradates, and
other dissolved and volatile substances. The study highlights the
fact that when the risks of polymer products in the environment are
being assessed, we should not only consider the parent compound
but also the products of the degradation process.
Other questions arising from this research include the characterisation of the types of dissolved and volatile substance that have
been formed and the extent to which microbial activity influences
degradation rate. While this study has focused on latex as a test
material there is no reason why the approaches taken here cannot
be applied to other materials.