Z218.0-93 (R1999)

1.1 This Standard specifies the laboratory test method condition for determining the anaerobic biodegradability of plastic materials on exposure to primary anaerobic digestor sludge obtained from the treatment of primary clarifier sludge at a municipal waste water treatment plant. The degree and rate of anaerobic biodegradability of a plastic material in the environment determines to what extent and in what time period plastic may be eliminated from the environment. The method determines the degree of anaerobic biodegradability by measuring the gas volume evolved (carbon dioxide and methane) as a function of time when the plastic is exposed to anaerobic, munipically derived, digestor sludge. 1.2 The test method is designed to determine the biodegradability of plastic materials relative to a positive standard material in an anaerobic environment. 1.3 The test method is designed to be applicable to all plastic materials which do not inhibit the microbial population present in anaerobic digestor sewage sludge. 1.4 This Standard involves the use of hazardous chemicals and procedures employing potentially harmful microbiological agents. This Standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user to establish appropriate safety- and health-related measures and any regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazard warnings are given in Clause 8.