Characterization of the Ecotoxicity of Five Biodegredable Polymers Under Consideration by NAVAIR for Use in Chaff-Dispensing Systems

The accumulation of discarded chaff dispenser styrene piston and endcaps in the environment is a concern of the Department of Defense. Five biodegradable materials are being considered for use in the manufacture of degradable chaff cartridges pistons and endcaps. Relative degradability of the materials is being evaluated by measuring total organic carbon (TOC) released by the materials overtime in water. Environmental toxicity testing of the dissolution products from the materials is being conducted in 2 terrestrial plant species and 7 species of aquatic organisms. Dissolution products from 4 of the biopolymers were found to be toxic to aquatic organisms with LC50s and LOELs ranging between 1.24 - 731.30 mg TOC/1. The dissolution products did not inhibit seed germination of Brassica rappa or Lepidium sativum. Average shoot length of B. rappa seedlings treated with BAK2195/CP1000 (90:10) and BIPOL D411GN were 25- 40% shorter as compared with negative controls (p < 0.05). Average shoot length of L. sativum seedings treated with BAK2195/CP1000 (90:10) were 10-20% shorter than controls (p < 0.05)). Information gained from these studies will be used making decisions on which (if any) of the polymers will be suitable for the construction of biodegradable chaff cartridges, pistons, and endcaps.Naval Health Research Center Wright-Patterson AFB OH Toxicology Detachment is the author of 'Characterization of the Ecotoxicity of Five Biodegredable Polymers Under Consideration by NAVAIR for Use in Chaff-Dispensing Systems' with ISBN 9781423550129 and ISBN 1423550129.