Effects of air pollutants on polymeric materials.

The environmental impact of anthropotenic atmospheric pollution is not only on ecological systems but also on non-living materials. The consequences of these effects are very serious although often ignored or overlooked in public discussion. Air pollutants can damage or accelerate the ageing of materials, buildings, industrial products, monuments and cultural objects (1). Besides direct deterioration, there are also secondary effects like more expenditure for additional protection or more frequent cleaning, or diminished utility as a result of airborne pollution. These cause additional energy consumption, demand extra resources and produce more waste, thus in turn leading in increased total emissions, material deterioration has to be seen as part of a closed loop. 1) Dr.-Ing. Dipl-Phys. Karl-Friedrich Ziegahn, Head of Environmental Engineering Department of ICT 2) Dr. rer. nat. Dipl.-Chem. Horst H. Krause, Division Chief Chemistry of ICT 3) 3) Dr.-Ing. Diether Schmitt, Deputy Director ICT