A new way for chemical degradation of plastic by natural volatile constituents of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ledum palustre</Emphasis>

A novel phenomenon of degradation ofpolypropylene plastic by volatile constituents of Ledum palustre is reported in this study. The characteristic ofdegradation is described by tensile strength, melting point,and scanning electron micrographs as well as opticalmicrographs. The chemical composition of volatile oil ofLedum palustre is analyzed by gas chrography and massspectrometry. The mechanism of degradation and problemsneeded to be solved are also discussed.