4-methoxybenzyl alcohol

PBT assessment

PBT assessment: overall result

Reference

Name:

4-methoxybenzyl alcohol

Type of composition:

boundary composition of the substance

Reference substance:

4-methoxybenzyl alcohol

PBT status:

the substance is not PBT / vPvB

Justification:

Classification of 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol  (CAS no. 105-13-5) for effects in the environment:

Thetest chemical 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol(CAS no. 105-13-5) is used in the biocides, washing, air care, polishes, waxes perfumes fragrances and personal care products.The test chemicalherein critically and independently evaluated the environmental fate and ecotoxicity data.

 

The aim was to assess whether the PBT criterion within Annex XIII was fulfilled for 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol. The PBT criterion was herein assessed based on experimental data in conjunction with standardized environmental fate models. Here follows a description of the PBT assessment.

1.Persistence assessment

 

The tested substance doesn’t meet the P criterion within Annex XIII based on the assessment that here follows:

1.1. Overall degradability

 

The experimental study from the peer reviewed journal states that, test chemical 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol, has been utilized by the bacterial strain Rhodococcus opacus GM-14 for their growth in the period of 14 days. The experimental results were supported by the prediction model, calledBiodegradation Probability program (BIOWIN),wherein it uses seven different mathematical models from Biowin 1-7(EPI suite version 4.1). As per the REACH guidance thecombination of BIOWIN 2 and BIOWIN 3 results, or a combination of BIOWIN 3 and BIOWIN 6 results unfulfilled the non-readily biodegradable criteria. the values obtained from the program inBIOWIN 2 and BIOWIN 6 is greater than <0.5 and BIOWIN 3 is greater than 2.2.

The exact values are given in Table 1 as follows:

 

Table 1Summary of BIOWIN predictions (EPI suite version 4.1).

BIOWIN 2	BIOWIN 3	BIOWIN 6
0.9880	2.9957	0.6350

 

Based on the outcomes of experimental and prediction models of the test chemical, the test chemical is readily biodegradable in nature.

 

1.2.Environmental fate and exposure risk

 

 

The test chemical 105-13-5, if released intentionally or un intentionally into the environmental media. It is predicted that the test chemical would mostly accumulate in the soil up to 66.6 % followed by water (32.9%) and sediment (0.0792%).

 

Table 2: Summary of estimated half-life and Mackay Fugacity model (level III) in freshwater, sediment and soil by EPI suite version 4.1:

 

Medium	Predicted half-life	Mackay fugacity model level III
fresh- or estuarine water	15 days	32.9%
fresh- or estuarine sediment	135 days	0.0792%
soil	30 days	66.6%

 

In conclusion, the chemical was estimated to be non-persistent in water,it doesn’t meet the criteria of the persistence as per ANNEX XIII.

 

2. Bioaccumulation assessment

 

The tested substance doesn’t meet the B criterion within Annex XIII based on the assessment that here follows:

 

 

I.                  The data from the section 4.7, of partition Coefficient n-octanol/water of test chemical values ranges from -0.08 to 1.1. Based on the very low logKow values (below 4) it is expected that the test chemical will have very low potential to get bioaccumulate in the aquatic organisms.

 3.     Toxicity assessment

 

The tested substance doesn’t meet the T criterion within Annex XIII based on the assessment that here follows:

 

3.1. Mammals

The substance didn’t fulfil the criteria for the mammalian toxicity, neither CMR nor STOT RE as per ANNEX XIII of PBT classification.

3.2. Freshwater organisms

The test chemical was evaluated to observe any adverse effects caused to the aquatic organisms. By analysing all the eco-tox endpoints, the toxic values of the test chemical were ranged from >100 to 943. It is regarded as the non-hazardous chemical to the aquatic environment based on the toxicity values. It is expected that the test chemical will not have NOEC values below 0.01mg/L, as the substance did not pose any risk to aquatic environment at concentration of 100mg/L. Thus, relying on the data obtained it can be concluded the test chemical may not cause any effect on long term exposure stating that chemical is safe and non-toxic to aquatic media.  

Overall conclusion about Persistence, Bioaccumulation and Toxicity (PBT).

Based on critical, independent and collective evaluation of information summarized herein, the tested compound didn’t meet the P-, B- and T criterion within Annex XIII. Hence, the tested compound has not been classified as a PBT compound within Annex XIII.