Pursuant to section 26 of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996, the Environmental Risk Management Authority hereby determines the following substances are not hazardous:
? Fluoropolymers, a class of polymers analogous to polyolefins in which some or all of the hydrogen
atoms have been replaced by fluorine (and possibly other halides). Further, the definition is limited to those fluoropolymers (not containing additives) with a number average molecular weight greater than 10,000 amu and with residual monomer, catalyst and solvent impurities present at levels less than 0.1%. In addition, polymers that are cationic (or potentially cationic) or those that are water absorbing are specifically excluded from this definition.
? Polyethers, a class of polymers made up of monomer units linked by recurring ether linkages. For the purposes of this determination, no heteroatoms may be present other than the oxygen atoms involved in the ether linkage. Further, the definition is limited to those polyethers (not containing additives) with a number average molecular weight greater than 10,000 amu and with residual monomer, catalyst and solvent impurities present at levels less than 0.1%. In addition, polymers that are cationic (or potentially cationic) or those that
are water absorbing are specifically excluded from this definition.
? Polyamides, a class of polymers that have recurring amide groups as an integral part of the main polymer backbone. For the purposes of this determination, no heteroatoms may be present other than those comprising the amide linkage. Further, the definition is limited to those polyamides (not containing additives) with a number average molecular weight greater than 10,000 amu and with residual monomer, catalyst and solvent impurities present at levels less than 0.1%. In addition, polymers that are cationic (or potentially cationic) or those that are water absorbing are specifically excluded from this definition.
? Thermoplastic polyesters, solid polymers with recurring ester groups as an integral part of the main polymer backbone where no heteroatoms may be present other than the oxygen atoms involved in the ester linkage. Further, the definition is limited to those polyesters
(not containing additives) with a number average molecular weight greater than 10,000 amu and with residual monomer, catalyst and solvent impurities present at levels less than 0.1%. In addition, polymers that are cationic (or potentially cationic) or those that
are water absorbing are specifically excluded from
this definition.
? Polyolefins, fully saturated hydrocarbons comprising only carbon and hydrogen with no other functional groups present. Further, the definition is limited to those polyolefins (not containing additives) with a number average molecular weight greater than 10,000 amu and with residual monomer, catalyst and solvent impurities present at levels less than 0.1%. In addition, polymers that are cationic (or potentially cationic) or those that
are water absorbing are specifically excluded from
this definition.
? Vinyl polymers (either homopolymers or co-polymers) made from the following monomers:
- Vinyl chloride
- Vinylidene chloride
- Esters of acrylic or methacrylic acid
- Styrene
- Vinyl acetate (and its vinyl alcohol hydrolysis product)
- Acrylonitrile
- Butadiene
- Ethene
Further, this definition is limited to those vinyl polymers (not containing additives) with a number average molecular weight greater than 10,000 amu and with residual monomer, catalyst and solvent impurities present at levels less than 0.1%. In addition, polymers that are cationic (or potentially cationic) or those that are water absorbing are specifically excluded from this definition.
? Polycarbonates, defined as polymers made up of monomers (aliphatic or aromatic) linked by repeating carbonate units along the polymer backbone. For the purposes of this determination, no heteroatoms may be present other than the oxygen atoms involved in
the carbonate linkage. Further, the definition is limited
to those polycarbonates (not containing additives)
with a number average molecular weight greater than 10,000 amu and with residual monomer, catalyst and solvent impurities present at levels less than 0.1%. In addition, polymers that are cationic (or potentially cationic) or those that are water absorbing are specifically excluded from this definition.
Dated at Wellington this 30th day of July 2003.
TONY HAGGERTY, Chair, Hazardous Substances Standing Committee of the Authority.