SYNTHESIS OF H-3 POLYETHYLENE AND ITS USE FOR FATE STUDIES ON DEGRADABLE PLASTICS

Determining the fate of xenobiotic materials in the environment can be aided by the use of radioactive isotope technology. Previous research on the degradation of polymers such as polyethylene (PE) was aided by the utilization of radiotracers. In order to study the environmental fate of degradable (PE/starch) plastics, we synthesized H-3-labeled PE . Results of soil incubation studies indicate that only minimal degrad ation of the PE component, as indicated by the production of water-sol uble metabolites, occurred during 2 years of incubation in soil. Despi te the minimal degradation, the H-3 label did not allow for detection of the degradation products. In addition, the H-3-PE was particularly useful for tracing the fate of degradable plastics after consumption b y terrestrial isopods. The detection of aqueous-soluble radioactivity in isopod frass was used to indicate degradation of the plastic film.