Alcohols, C8-14, γ-ω-perfluoro

Endpoint summary

Additional information

Biodegradation in water: screening tests

OECD 302B:

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One study on the inherent biodegradation potential of TRP-1989, including results on 8:2 FTOH (CAS No. 678-39-7), is available (Clariant GmbH, 2005). The test was conducted according to OECD Guideline 302B, under GLP conditions. The test item proper, i.e. TRP-1989, is a polymer (perfluoroalkyl acrylic copolymerisate). However, the biotransformation potential was monitored by analysing five residuals and potential transformation products, one of which is 8:2 FTOH (= 8-2 OH). Activated sludge microorganisms were exposed to the polymer at a concentration of 6000 mg/L for a period of 28 days. The biodegradation was followed by analytical measurement of 8:2 FTOH. Measurements of two replicates demonstrated a degradation of 8:2 FTOH with concentrations of 42.0 and 41.9 µg/L on Day 0 decreasing to 37.4 and 8.3 µg/L on Day 7 and below the limit of detection on Day 14. Thus 8:2 FTOH was degraded to 100%. Due to the fact that 8:2 FTOH is highly volatile a volatility control was conducted in parallel and demonstrated that no test substance was lost.

OECD 311:

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One study on the anaerobic Biodegradability of Organic Compounds in Digested Sludge of 8-2 FTOH (CAS No. 678-39-7) is available (Clariant GmbH, 2007). The test is non-GLP but was conducted according to OECD Guideline 311. The biotransformation potential was monitored by analysing 3 potential transformation products: 8 COOH (PFOA), 8-2 COOH, 8-2 U COOH. Digested sludge was exposed to the test item concentration of 10 mg/L for a period of 63 days. The biodegradation was followed by analytical measurement of all analytes and parent substance. Measurements of three replicates demonstrated a degradation of 8:2 FTOH of 42.7% after 63 days. In the headspace gas no biotransformation products could be detected during the course of the study.

Two supporting studies regarding OECD Guideline 301D and 301C shows that the 8:2 FTOH is not readily biodegradable.

Biodegradation in soil

OECD 307:

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One study on the aerobic transformation in soil of the polymer TRP-1989 which contains residual 8-2 FTOH (CAS No. 678-39-7) is available (Clariant GmbH, 2011a). The test was conducted according to OECD Guideline 307 and it fulfills the GLP criteria. The biotransformation potential was monitored by analysing 3 potential transformation products: 8 COOH (PFOA), 8-2 COOH (FTA), 8-2 U COOH (8 -2 FTuA). The initial test substance concentration in the test soil was 1000 mg/kg soil dw. The study was conducted over 24 months. The biodegradation was followed by analytical measurement of all analytes and parent substance. PFOA formed after 2 years is < 60% Mol-% of the amount of residual 8 -2 FTOH at Day 0.

After 104 days (ca. 3 months) 8 -2 FTOH could no longer be measured as the concentration was below LOQ and LOD. After Day 104, PFOA is still being formed, this is an indication of slow migration of 8 -2 FTOH out of the polymer. If any would come from the acrylate cleavage in the polymer the cleavage rate would be very low, otherwise 8 -2 FTOH would have been measureable after Day 104.

In the headspace gas no biotransformation products could be detected during the course of the study. For the calculation of DT50 values two models were used, both models fit the measured data well but the overall outcome is somewhat different. The worst cases were DT50 values for the initial available residual alcohol of 27 days and 13.5 days taking into account all diffused alcohol that has migrated from the polymer (absorbed 8-2 FTOH).

 

Landfill simulation study:

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A landfill simulation study with coated fabric (cotton and polyester) was carried out to mimic a residence time of 30-40 years by accelerating the ageing process through higher water circulation when compared to a typical landfill (Clariant GmbH, 2011b). No guideline is available at the moment and the test is non-GLP but it is a well documented report which meets basic scientific principles. The time span of 9 month in the simulation study corresponds to 31 years on a landfill. The test item was cotton and polyester coated with TRP-1255. TRP-1255 contains as active ingredient the polyfluorinated acrylate polymer TRP-1989. The low molecular weight polyfluorinated telomer substances such as 8-2 FTOH can be found as residuals in the polyfluorinated acrylate polymer and these may be transformed to polyfluorinated acids such as PFOA which are persistent in the environment. The biotransformation potential was monitored by analysing 3 potential transformation products: 8 COOH (PFOA), 8-2 COOH (FTA), 8-2 U COOH (FTuA) in leachate samples and headspace gas. The available test item amounts were 5.3 mg 8-2 FTOH in the lysimeters filled with cotton samples and 3.1 mg in the lysimeters filled with polyester samples. The biodegradation was followed by analytical measurements of all analytes and parent substance. The landfill simulation study shows that the formation of PFOA from residual 8-2 FTOH in the TRP-1989 included in the textile coating is very slow; the yield at the study end was 0.02 Mol-% (cotton) and 0.05 Mol-% (polyester) PFOA. More than 98.5 Mol-% (polyester) and 99.1 Mol-% (cotton) of residual 8-2 FTOH remained in the reactor after the 9-month study. The DT50 was estimated to be more than 38 years.