An exploration of the environmental problems caused by durable polymer materials, this volume discusses how certain polymeric systems can be created to undergo degradation at a controlled and predetermined rate after task completion.

During the past 50 years polymers have totally changed human life and the plastics industry has developed durable materials increasingly adapted to specific uses. In response to demands for temporary applications, scientists are now working on polymeric systems that can serve as materials and undergo degradation at controlled and predetermined rates after task completion. This interdisciplinary text presents the latest international research in the field, covers both practical and theoretical aspects of the subject, and also includes mathematical modelling for biodegradation. It explores most of the basic problems relevant to polymer degradation and gives special emphasis to biodegradable applications. The book should be beneficial to research scientists involved in agricultural chemistry, biotechnology, cell and molecular biology, toxicology, environmental chemistry, materials sciences, polymer science, and medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry.

How to trigger polymer degradation
soil microbiology
consensus on definitions and nomenclature
how to degrade polymers
effects of structures on polymer degradation
standards and reference test methods
mathematical modelling
selected poster communications.