In situ steady-state fluorescence measurements were used to study the dissolution of polymer films. These films were formed from pyrene labeled poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) latex particles that were sterically stabilized by polyisobutylene. Annealing was performed above the glass transition temperature at 180 degrees C at 1-h time intervals for film formation. Desorption of pyrene labeled PMMA chains was monitored in real time by the change of pyrene fluorescence intensity. Dissolution experiments were performed in various solvents with different solubility parameters, delta, at room temperature. Diffusion coefficients, D, in various solvents were measured and found to be around 10(-10) cm(2)/s. A strong relation between D and delta was observed.