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Environmental interaction of polymers‐natural metabolites as opposed to the degradation products of synthetic polymers
Author(s) -
Albertsson AnnChristine,
Karlsson Sigbritt
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
macromolecular symposia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.257
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-3900
pISSN - 1022-1360
DOI - 10.1002/masy.19971180194
Subject(s) - degradation (telecommunications) , polymer , catabolism , detoxication , chemistry , environmental chemistry , biodegradation , polymer degradation , organic chemistry , metabolism , biochemistry , computer science , telecommunications , enzyme
Natural polymers degrade by a three‐step catabolism and each step generates well‐known metabolites. Detoxication transforms harmful compounds to less harmful ones by the action of microorganisms. Low concentration of degradation products may biomagnify and reach levels that have deleterious effects on humans, animals and plants. The prediction of the environmental interaction of polymers needs knowledge not only about the toxicity of the degradation products but also of the degree of exposure of the living cells to the degradation products.