Biodegradation test method standards

The various biodegradability test method standards from ASTM and ISO are as follows ... 

Biodegradation standards for industrial compost environment require a biodegradation specification standard and a biodegradation test method standard. The specification standards in Europe are for plastics and for packaging. Both specification standards require the use of the same test method. 

S.3.2.3 Biodegradation Test Method Standard iSO 14855-2 (EN 14046) Packaging. Evaiuation of the Uitimate Aerobic Biodegradabiiity and Disintegration of Packaging Materiais under Controiied Composting Conditions. Method by Anaiysis of Reieased Carbon Dioxide... 

Biodegradation Test Method Standard iSO 14852-1999 (ED114047). Determination of Uitimate Aerobic Biodegradabiiity of Piastic Materiais in an Aqueous Medium—Method by Anaiysis of Evoived Carbon... 

E.8.2 Compare the biodegradation test method standards for ASTM D5338 and ISO 14855-2 What are the conditions for each test method What are the positive and negative controls for each ... 

Table 16.2 List of biodegradability test method standards fi-om ASTM and ISO ...

There have been numerous communications on the subject of biodegradation test methods, including aerobic compost (30), anaerobic bioreactor (31), general methodology and future directions (32—34), and a fine review article (24). ASTM (22) and MITI (35) have also set forth standard testing protocols for plastics, as shown in Table 2, whereas OECD test methods (29) are more suited to water-soluble polymers. 

Solid waste disposal environments for plastic materials can include industrial compost, home compost, anaerobic digestion, landfill, litter, and ocean water. Only two disposal environments have both biodegradation standards for test methods and biodegradation performance standards, for example, industrial compost and marine biodegradation environments. Test method standards are available for anaerobic digestion, home compost, and landfill environments. The second necessary performance specification standard for biodegradation performance is not available for anaerobic digestion, home compost, or landfill... 

Biodegradation Greater than 90% of the carbon in the original plastic sample is converted into CO2 after 180 days of exposure to industrial composting conditions specified in ASTM D5338 test method standard. 

Satisfactory rate of biodegradation of the plastic material that is under industrial composting conditions of at least 58°C and 50% moisture in 6 months, that is, more than 90% of the carbon in the original plastic sample is converted into CO2 as measured by measuring the amount of release of CO2 through wet chemistry methods. The standard requires the use of ISO 148455 or ASTM D5338 test method standard. 

AIB-Vingotte International has a biodegradable home compost test certification for plastic products that references EN 13432 performance specification and other ISO biodegradable test methods. Biodegradation in soil environments is based on International OK Biodegradable Soil standards. Table 8.7 lists the biodegradation standards for home composing. 

Test method standards for plastic materials in active landfill conditions are available with ASTM standards but not with ISO standards. This test method establishes the degree and rate of anaerobic biodegradation of plastic materials under anaerobic mesophilic conditions in an accelerated landfill test environment. Certification is not available for meeting performance standards for biodegradation under active landfill conditions. 

Standard test methods for determining aerobic biodegradation of radiolabeled plastic materials in an aqueous or compost environment, ASTM Standard ASTM D 6340-98, ASTM International, West Con-shohocken, PA, 2007. 

Biodegradability. The biodegradability of SAE has already been extensively examined by other workers using various test methods such as the standard BOD test, Shake-Culture test,... 

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