Development of a dose-response function

The study of degradation processes in plastic artefacts is a challenging area of research due to the extreme variability of plastic materials and synergistic/antagonistic effects of several environmental agents of degradation (light, heat, pollution).

Understanding and prioritisation of agents of deterioration leading to degradation of plastic objects is essential in order to develop suitable preservation strategies. The aim of this research was therefore to obtain quantitative data on environmental effects on plastics degradation, principally discolouration, identifying the factors that play the most significant role.