L-menthyl acetate

Endpoint summary

Additional information

There are no data available on the environmental fate ofthe target substance (L-menthyl acetate, CAS 2623-23-6). In order to fulfil the standard information requirements read-across from structurally related substances was conducted in accordance with Annex XI, 1.5, of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.

In accordance with Article 13 (1) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, “information on intrinsic properties of substances may be generated by means other than tests, provided that the conditions set out in Annex XI are met.” Having regard to the general rules for grouping of substances and read-across approach laid down in Annex XI, Item 1.5, of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 whereby substances may be predicted as similar provided that their physicochemical, toxicological and ecotoxicological properties are likely to be similar or follow a regular pattern as a result of structural similarity. Please refer to IUCLID section 13 for a detailed justification of the analogue approach.

The source substance menthyl acetate (CAS 89-48-5) was used for read-across purposes. This substance is a racemic mixture of L-menthyl acetate and D-menthyl acetate thus containing the target substance (L-menthyl acetate, CAS 2623-23-6). The presence of D-menthyl acetate in the mixture is not considered to have a remarkable impact on the assessment of the environmental fate of the target substance. For the structurally similar stereoisomers D- and L-menthol it was shown that their different isomeric structure has no impact on the overall environmental fate/behavior as discussed and justified in the OECD SIDS report (OECD, 2003).

Based on the result from one experimental study performed with the source substance menthyl acetate (CAS 89-48-5) according to EU Method C.4-E it can be concluded that the target substance (L-menthyl acetate) is not readily biodegradable according to the OECD criteria (48% degradation after 28 d based on O2 consumption, ongoing biodegradation). Taking into account additional reliable (Q)SAR calculations the substance can be considered as inherently biodegradable and not likely to be persistent in the environment.

As the source substance hydrolyses quite fast under environmental conditions (pH7) with a half-life of only 6 days, the target substance can be regarded as rapidly degradable under environmental conditions. With a half-life time of < 16 days the criteria for rapid degradation according to the CLP/GHS criteria are as well fulfilled as the degradation products L-Menthol (CAS 2216 -51 -5) and acetic acid (CAS 64-19-7) are not classified as hazardous to the aquatic environment. Furthermore, referring to ECHA PBT guidance document a "substance fulfils the P(vP) criterion if T1/2 > 40 (60) days". As it further can be shown that the two expected hydrolysis transformation products L-Menthol and acetic acid are not PBT/vPvB, according to ECHA PBT guidance document no further testing of degradation is required for the PBT/vPvB assessment. A persistence of L-menthyl acetate in the environment is therefore not expected.

Considering the water solubility of 21.0 - 25.4 mg/L and the low to moderate potential for adsorption to organic soil and sediment particles (log Koc: 2.69 - 3.29L/kg, KOCWIN v2.00), the main compartment for environmental distribution is expected to be the surface water. However, the substance might evaporate into the atmospheric compartment based on the vapour pressure of 45 Pa at 20 °C and a Henry’s Law Constant of 84 - 100 Pa m³/mole (HenryWin v3.20).