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Polymer gel

I recommend to everyone the study that Miranda Smith referred below on polymer gels.
 

As I understand it, polymer hydrogels include acrylamid, a neuro-toxin. They degrade back into acrylamid and acrylate, which is also toxic, and other untested compounds, in 2-5 years. Degradation accelerates with exposure to fertilizer salts. The toxins can be absorbed through the skin or by inhaling. Positively charged ions, such as the plant nutrients potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron, reduce its absorption capacity by as much as 90%. Since the polymers are water soluable, they can easily enter the watershed.

 

This is not something that I want to add to the ecosystem.

 

The other form of hydrogel is composed water and a starch-based compound. None of the negatives of the polymers are associated with it.

 

Fran

 
Fran Gustman,  f*@juno.com
Boston, MA, Zone 6
Urban Gardener Columnist, Allston-Brighton TAB
Editor, HortResources Newsletter, www.hortresources.org
Editor, Holly Society Journal, www.hollysocam.org
 
In response to your question about polymer gels, I'm sending links to a
couple of articles regarding possible environmental impacts of the
degradation products.
 
http://216.239.39.104/search?q=cache:EoPwTgyz7QsJ:www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~
Lind
a%2520Chalker-Scott/Horticultural%2520Myths_files/Myths/Hydrogels.pdf+ar
e+so
il+hydrogels+safe&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
 
This is the latest article:
http://216.239.39.104/search?q=cache:8Z4nPOlfkesJ:faculty.washington.edu
/lin
dacs/myths/hydrogels2.pdf+are+soil+hydrogels+safe&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
 
 
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