Ecological Assessment Polymers: Strategies for Product Stewardship and Regulatory Programs

Ecological Assessment of Polymers Strategies for ProductStewardship and Regulatory Programs John D. Hamilton and RogerSutcliffe The expense of providing ecological assessments of newcommercial products is formidable. The cost of the failure tocomply with the current regulations--measured in fines, liabilitydamages, and loss of public trust--is potentially much, muchhigher. Establishing effective environmental product stewardshipstrategies for assessment upfront not only promotes initial andcontinued compliance, it can reduce costs via the more efficientdevelopment of new products. Based on the collaboration of the Rohmand Haas Company and S.C. Johnson Wax with other manufacturers, contract laboratories, universities, and government agencies, Ecological Assessment of Polymers is the first complete referenceto provide environment-oriented information about polymers from aproduct development and regulatory compliance perspective. A numberof books deal with the potential hazards of pesticides andsolvents. This is the first to focus on the commercial syntheticpolymers that exist in laundry detergents, paints, super-absorbentdiapers, packaging materials, and many other consumer andindustrial products. Using the principles of environmentaltoxicology and chemistry, Ecological Assessment of Polymersapproaches environmental evaluation as a decision-making process.The book demonstrates how assessment can be used as a planning toolfor developing products, reducing potential liability, and creatingnew products, processes, and disposal systems. Featureddiscussions:
* Overviews of methods, instrumentation, and databases used byenvironmental scientists to assess processes/products involvingpolymers
* Environmental regulatory assessment schemes for preventingdangerous environmental exposure during manufacture, use, transport, storage, and disposal
* Interpretations of ecotoxicity and fate tests with polymers
* New directions of research in degradable polymers
* Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) of polymers
* Polymer regulations from the United States, Canada, Europe, andthe Pacific Region
Authoritative, accessible, and comprehensive, Ecological Assessmentof Polymers fills a void in the working libraries of technicalmanagers, product development personnel, environmental chemists andengineers, regulatory staff, environmental toxicologists, andstudents.