Microorganisms make plastic degradable, without additives

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES Microorganisms make plastic degradable, without addltives With the aid of microorganisms,a research team at the Japanese Institute of Physical and Chemical Research claims to have developed biodegradableplastics with properties similar to those of polyamide, but without the need to employ reinforcementor other additives. The Institute reports that it has produced the material by genetically recombiningthe microorganismsthat break down plastics and adding bacteria found in the large intestine. This produced microorganismsthat were used to engineer a ‘super polymer’ of very high molecular weight, which can be extrudedto nearly double its original length. Contact: Institute ofphysical and Chemical Research, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako City, Saitama Pwfectuw 351-01, Japan; tel: +81-484 62 1111;fax:+81-484 62 1554

Help Line will provide advice on solvents Authoritative advice and assistance on solvent products - especially regarding their safety, health and environmental aspects - will be provided by a technical Help Line that has been set up by ICI ChlorChemicals. Phil Johnson, Customer Service Representativewith the company, said that ICI had been receiving as many calls requesting generic information, such as safety data sheets, as were asking for advice on specialist solvent problems. As well as helping to resolve problems and general queries about the use of ICI’s solvent products, the Help Line will also cover other products of the Chlor-Chemicals division, including chlorine, caustic soda and hydrochloricacid. The Help Line numbers for the new ICI service are: tel: +44-1928 515999; fax: +44-1928 515253. Contact: ICI Chlor-Chemicals, ICI Chemicals & Polymers Ltd, PO Box I4, The Heath, Runcom, WA 7 4QG, UK; tel: +44-l 928 513846; fax: +44-1928 569459

Subscription price for one year including first class airmail dellvery(12 issues) US$78Q/NLG 1555 (Payments I” other currencies are subject to our prewling exchange rate)

Editorial

offke:

Elsewer Advanced Technology PO BOX 150, Kldlmgton Oxford OX5 1AS, UK Tel +44 (0)1865 843843/ 843000 Fax +44 (0)18&i 843971

(Prices v&d to end of 1999)

Subscription

enquiries,

orders

and payments:

For customers residing in the Americas (North, South and Central America): Elsewer Science, Customer Support Depatiment, PO Box 945. New York NY lW10. USA Tel (+l) 212-633-3730 Toll Free number for North Amencan customers l-888-4ES-INFO (437-4836) Fax (+l) 212-833-3680 Emall- [email protected]

For customers in the Rest of me World: Elsevier Science, Customer Support Dept. PO Box 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam The Netierlands Tel (+31) 20.4853757 Fax (+31) 20-4853432 Emall: nllnfo-faelsevier nl

Th~s~ournai and the mdiwdual contributions contamed in it are protected under copyrlght by Elsevler Sc1ence1999, and the following terms and conditkms apply to their use Photocopying Single photocoples of single arbcles may be made for personal use as allowed by natmnal copyrlght laws Permission of the publisher and payment of a fee is requwd for all other photocopying, Include Ing multlple or systematic copying, copying for adverbsIng or promotlonal purposes, resale, and all forms of document dellvery Spew rates are awlable for educational institutions that wish to make photocopms for non-pmfit educational classroom use PermIssions may be sought directly from Elsewer Science Rights 8 PermIssions Department, PO Box BOO, oxford OX5 lDX, UK; phone (+44) 1865 843830 fax (+44) 1885 853333, e-mail [email protected]. You may also contact Rights 8 Permlsslons directly through Elsev~e
works mcludlng compilations and translations

Storage or Usage

Permission of the publisher 1s required to store or use electronically any material contamed in this journal, including any article or part of an article Contact at the address Indicated.

the publisher

Except as outhned above, nc part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retneval system or transmitted in any form or by any means. electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of the publisher Address perm~ssu~ns requests to Elsevier Science Rights 8 Permlsslons Department, at the mail, fax and e-mail addresses noted above Notice No responsibility is assumed by the Pubhsher for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of pmducts liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any methods, products, lnstrucbons or Ideas contamed m the materlal herein. Because of rapid advances m the me&xl sciences, I” particular, Independent verlflcahon of dmgnoses and drug dosages should be made Although all advertismg matenal the quality or value of such

Prmted by MayfIeld

product

Press. UK

is expected

to conform

or of the clams

made

to ethtcal

(medical) standards, inclusion m this publlcatlon

does not consliMe

a guarantee or endorsement

of it by I& manufacturer

02061

of

ELSEVIER ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY