Environmental degradation pathways for the breakdown of polydimethylsiloxanes.

The following paper describes how polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymers, which are present in a wide range of consumer products may undergo environmental degradation in the environment. The mechanism involves a biological degradation by bacteria and/or fungi, which takes place after an initial abiotic reaction initiates depolymerisation. The available information indicates that ultimately PDMS is converted to its inorganic constituents, namely carbon dioxide and silicic acid.