DETERMINATION OF THE ULTIMATE AEROBIC BIODEGRADABILITY OF PLASTIC MATERIALS IN AN AQUEOUS MEDIUM - METHOD BY MEASURING THE OXYGEN DEMAND IN A CLOSED RESPIROMETER (ISO 14851: 1999, COR. 1:2005, IDT)
This Malaysian Standard specifies a method, by measuring the oxygen demand in a closed respirometer, for the determination of the degree of aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials, including those containing formulation additives. The test material is exposed in an aqueous medium under laboratory conditions to an inoculum from activated sludge, compost or soil.
If an unadapted activated sludge is used as the inoculum, the test simulates the biodegradation processes whichoccur in a natural aqueous environment; if a mixed or pre-exposed inoculum is used, the method can be used toinvestigate the potential biodegradability of a test material.
The conditions used in this International Standard do not necessarily correspond to the optimum conditions allowingmaximum biodegradation to occur, but the standard is designed to determine the potential biodegradability of plasticmaterials or give an indication of their biodegradability in natural environments.
The method enables the ass
