The main focus of this thesis was to determine toxicity and biodegradability of the 2-propenamide polymer, better known as acrylamide, and its copolymers. Toxicity testing was carried out on common duckweed (Lemna minor) for polymer acrylamide, dialyzed polymer acrylamide, copolymer poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) and copolymer of acrylamide with acrylic acid and bisacrylamide. The response of common duckweed on 0,0002 % sample solution was assessed on the basis of the change of the number of fronds of common duckweed after seven days. The results showed that tested samples are not toxic (inhibition was up to 10 %). Biodegradability testing showed that all tested samples are badly biodegradable. The tested samples are not toxic in the concentrations, which would be used in coatings, but they can persist in the environment because they are not ready degradable.
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