Chemical Modification of Oxidized Polyethylene Enables Access to Functional Polyethylenes with Greater Reuse.

Polyethylene is a commodity material that is widely used because of its low cost and valuable properties. However, the lack of functional groups in polyethylene limits its use in applications that include adhesives, gas barriers, and plastic blends. The inertness of polyethylene makes it difficult to install groups that would enhance its properties and enable programmed chemical decomposition.

A Review of Medication Use as an Indicator of Human Health Impact in Environmentally Stressed Areas.

We reviewed from literature the feasibility of medication use as an indicator of health outcomes in environmentally stressed areas, especially where a paucity of typical epidemiological and other risk-based data are encountered. The majority of studies reported were about medication use as an indicator of adverse respiratory effects from air pollution in developed countries. Studies to a lesser extent pointed to medication use as indicator of health outcomes associated with other environmental health stressors such as water, noise pollution, and habitat conditions.