O-isobutyl ethylthiocarbamate

Endpoint summary

Description of key information

TERRESTRIAL FATE:

 

O-isobutyl ethylthiocarbamate (IBETC) is used in the mining industry as flotation agents as a fine collector for minerals such as copper sulfate, lead, zinc, molybdenum and nickel. The O-isobutyl ethylthiocarbamate (IBETC) is the best collector for copper sulfate. The amount of O-isobutyl ethylthiocarbamate (IBETC) used is very small relative to the quantity of ore treated, being approximately 2 to 50 g/tonne of ore.

 

The flotation process is fully automated. The process takes place in open tanks. However, the concentration of O-isobutyl ethylthiocarbamate (IBETC) in the flotation tank is low and, therefore, the release of Carbon monoxide; carbon dioxide; oxides of nitrogen; oxides of sulphur (includes sulphur di and tri oxides) would be expected to be low.

Air monitoring data, although limited and of poor quality, indicate that the atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide; oxides are below 10 ppm in the flotation areas. The risk to workers during the flotation process is considered to be low.

 

O-isobutyl ethylthiocarbamate (IBETC) was hydrolytically stable (half life > 1 year) specified by the OECD Guidelines. This substance has a limited potential to bioaccumulate (based on log Kow used by BCF estimates: 3.81, and predicted bioconcentration factors, log BCF = 2.18  (EPIWIN/BCF Program). O-isobutyl ethylthiocarbamate (IBETC) is not expected to contaminate the environment where ore tailings are confined to well constructed tailings dams. Most will be retained on sulphide minerals and destroyed when they are dried after flotation. Minor residues that remain associated with tailings will be destroyed by hydrolysis intailings dams.

Based on estimated Koc value of 144.4 L/kg, indicates that O-isobutyl ethylthiocarbamate (IBETC) is expected to have very high mobility in soil. Volatilization from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process given a estimated Henry's Law constant of 1.412E-003 atm-m3/mole  (1.431E+002 Pa-m3/mole). The estimated Henrys Law Constant (25 deg C) measured by calculation from EPI SuiteTM v4.1, HENRYWIN v3.20 Program was 1.412E-003 atm-m3/mole  (1.431E+002 Pa-m3/mole) , which is almost zero.This is Exposure Assessment Tools and Models made from EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).

 

Thionocarbamateshave not been subjected to regulatory action in any country.The chemical is not listed on the Hazardous Substances Information System (HSIS) .No known restrictions have been identified.

O-isobutyl ethylthiocarbamate (IBETC) is used in the mining industry as flotation agents as a fine collector for minerals such as copper sulfate, lead, zinc, molybdenum and nickel. O-isobutyl ethylthiocarbamate (IBETC) is the best collector for copper sulfate. The amount of O-isobutyl ethylthiocarbamate (IBETC) used is very small relative to the quantity of ore treated, being approximately 2 to 50 g/tonne of ore.

The flotation process is fully automated. The process takes place in open tanks. However, the concentration of O-isobutyl ethylthiocarbamate (IBETC) in the flotation tank is low and, therefore, the release of Carbon monoxide; carbon dioxide; oxides of nitrogen; oxides of sulphur (includes sulphur di and tri oxides) would be expected to be low.

Air monitoring data, although limited and of poor quality, indicate that the atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide; oxides are below 10 ppm in the flotation areas. The risk to workers during the flotation process is considered to be low.

 

Concentrations of O-isobutyl ethylthiocarbamate (IBETC) to be found in the tailings slurry may be moderately toxic to aquatic fauna. Such waste streams should therefore not be discharged to waterways.

When suitable precautions are taken to avoid entry of tailings to waterways, the environmental risk of O-isobutyl ethylthiocarbamate (IBETC) can be described as minimal in view of the low environmental exposure and limited persistence.