The Plastics Committee of ASTM International has developed a new standard for measuring the complete biodegradation time of non-floating plastics in aquatic environments.
This D8646 standard aims to standardize the testing methods for the degradation performance of plastics in low-temperature water environments, making test results more consistent.
ASTM, headquartered in the United States, is a global standards organization that develops voluntary technical specifications for various industries. Ramani Narayan, Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at Michigan State University, stated, "Industry, academia, government, and regulatory agencies all need a scientifically sound and reliable standard to assess the complete biodegradation time of water-contaminated plastic products."
"However, conducting biodegradation tests in low-temperature environments is often impractical, with extremely low degradation rates, significantly lengthening the testing period and increasing testing costs."
Reaction Kinetics Calculation Principle
Narayan explained that this standard relies on the principles of reaction kinetics, combined with experimental data from existing aerobic biodegradation testing methods of ASTM and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), to estimate the time required for complete microbial decomposition and complete carbon mineralization of plastic polymers in a natural low-temperature aquatic environment.
ASTM points out that this standard aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and 14 (Conservation of Life Underwater).
Narayan explained, "This new standard provides a verifiable testing and reporting system specifically addressing the environmental problem of long-term retention and continuous accumulation of plastics in the ocean."
ASTM also calls on all laboratories and researchers using its standards to conduct biodegradability performance studies to participate in a cross-laboratory comparative test of the D8646 standard."
