title: Environmental degradation pathways for the breakdown of polydimethylsiloxanes.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Dow Corning Corporation, La Hulpe, Belgium. US-DCC4F3@IBMMAIL.COM
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stevens
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005658:Fungi / Q000378:metabolism; D012722:Sewage; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D012722:Sewage; D014867:Water