Zhang Xiyu, Yin Zhenxing, Xiang Songbai, Yan Huayu, Tian Hailing
Department of Chemistry, National Demonstration Centre for Experimental Chemistry Education, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, China.
Laboratory Animal Center, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, China.
Polymers (Basel). 2024 Oct 3;16(19):2807. doi: 10.3390/polym16192807.
The extensive use of polymeric materials has resulted in significant environmental pollution, prompting the need for a deeper understanding of their degradation processes and impacts. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the degradation of polymeric materials in the environment and their impact on the health of experimental animals. It identifies common polymers, delineates their degradation pathways, and describes the resulting products under different environmental conditions. The review covers physical, chemical, and biological degradation mechanisms, highlighting the complex interplay of factors influencing these processes. Furthermore, it examines the health implications of degradation products, using experimental animals as proxies for assessing potential risks to human health. By synthesizing current research, the review focuses on studies related to small organisms (primarily rodents and invertebrates, supplemented by fish and mollusks) to explore the effects of polymer materials on living organisms and underscores the urgency of developing and implementing effective polymer waste management strategies. These strategies are crucial for mitigating the adverse environmental and health impacts of polymer degradation, thus promoting a more sustainable interaction between human activities and the natural environment.
聚合物材料的广泛使用已导致严重的环境污染，这促使人们需要更深入地了解其降解过程及其影响。本综述对环境中聚合物材料的降解及其对实验动物健康的影响进行了全面分析。它确定了常见的聚合物，描绘了它们的降解途径，并描述了在不同环境条件下产生的产物。该综述涵盖了物理、化学和生物降解机制，突出了影响这些过程的因素之间复杂的相互作用。此外，它以实验动物为评估对人类健康潜在风险的替代对象，研究了降解产物对健康的影响。通过综合当前的研究，该综述聚焦于与小型生物（主要是啮齿动物和无脊椎动物，辅以鱼类和软体动物）相关的研究，以探索聚合物材料对生物体的影响，并强调制定和实施有效的聚合物废物管理策略的紧迫性。这些策略对于减轻聚合物降解对环境和健康的不利影响至关重要，从而促进人类活动与自然环境之间更可持续的相互作用。
