On the safety evaluation of extracts from synthetic polymers used in medicine.

Abstract

The methods of oscillographic polarography and pulse differential polarography were used to test the release of some contaminating substances from polyvinylchloride (PVC) during autoclaving of water suspensions. The polarographic technique was able to detect in some extracts the presence of several contaminants, while the other PVC preparations did not release such substances. However the chemical nature of the contaminating substances has not been elucidated, the methods can serve as a screening method to detect heavy polymer contamination.