| Title: | Environmental fate of processed natural rubber latex |
| Author(s): | Lambert S; Sinclair CJ; Bradley EL; Boxall AB; |
| Address: | "Environment Department, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK. scott.lambert@fera.gsi.gov.uk" |
| Journal Title: | Environ Sci Process Impacts |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 2050-7895 (Electronic) 2050-7887 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "In this study, processed natural rubber latex was degraded in outdoor aquatic microcosms, under a number of treatment scenarios for 200 days. The analytical strategy adopted aimed to characterise a range of volatile, semi-volatile and non-volatile substances. Zinc, was shown to migrate from the latex into solution and increase in concentration over time. Dissolved compounds for which predicted formulas were generated largely consisted of oxygen containing compounds, and are potential oxidised polyisoprene oligomers of various chain lengths. A classification of samples based on principal component analysis showed a clear separation of the degraded latex samples from the representative controls. This technique identified an increase in the complexity of the substances produced and showed that these substances undergo further degradation and transformation processes. A number of volatile substances were also identified indicating the atmosphere to be a potential receiving environmental compartment for polymer degradates. Overall, the results show that complex mixtures of substances are produced when polymer-based materials degrade under environmental conditions" |
| Keywords: | Fresh Water/chemistry Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry *Hevea Hydrogen-Ion Concentration Latex/*chemistry/*radiation effects Photolysis Seawater/chemistry Sunlight Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis/chemistry Zinc/chemistry; |
| Notes: | "MedlineLambert, Scott Sinclair, Chris J Bradley, Emma L Boxall, Alistair B A eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2013/05/22 Environ Sci Process Impacts. 2013 Jul; 15(7):1359-68. doi: 10.1039/c3em00192j" |
