Polymericmaterials, both inert anddegradable,constantlyinteractwiththe surroundings. Because of this interaction changes take place in the polymer matrix and small molecules are released to the environment. Reliable me- ods for testing biodegradability and environmental interaction of renewable resources and biodegradable polymers are required to answer the rema- ing questions concerning the environmental impact of these future materials. Inthecaseofdegradablepolymersmultiplefactorsaffectthedegradation process and small changes in the chemical structure or product formulation may change the susceptibility to degradation or cause different degradation product patterns, rendering the product less environmentally adaptable. - velopment of sustainable polymeric materials also demands the development of more migration-resistant polymer additives. Chromatographic techniques especially gaschromatographyandliquidchromatographypreferentially c- pled to mass spectrometric detection are ideal tools for studying these low molecular weight compounds and polymer-environment interactions. In the ?rst chapter of this volume chromatographic ?ngerprinting and - dicator product concepts are presented as tools for evaluating polymeric - terials. These concepts have great potential in evaluation of degradation state andlife-time/service-life ofpolymericmaterials, evaluation ofanti-oxidant or pro-oxidant systems, degradation mechanism and processing parameters as wellasrapidcomparisonandqualitycontrolofmaterials.Thesolid-phase- croextractiontechniquehasrapidlyfoundapplicationsinnumerous?elds.The second chapter reviews the extraction of polymer degradation products and additives, monomer-rests, odour compounds, migrants from packaging and medicalproductsaswellasextractionofpolymeradditivesfromenvironm- talsamplesandbiological?uidsbysolid-phasemicroextractiondemonstrating the high versatility and potential of this technique also in polymer analysis.
