Methyl chloroformate

Biodegradation in water: screening tests

Description of key information

Hydrolysis product methanol: readily biodegradable (according to OECD criteria)

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Biodegradation in water:

readily biodegradable

Additional information

The parent compound methyl chloroformate (CAS 79-22-1) rapidly hydrolyses in contact with water and forms methanol (CAS 67-56-1). The biodegradation potential will, therefore, be assessed based on information available for the hydrolysis product methanol.

Methanol is readily biodegradable in freshwater based on the results of standard ready tests that show 71.5 – 95% removal after 5 and 20 days, respectively (Price et al. 1974; Wagner 1976). In marine water degradation rates were found between 69 - 97 % (Price et al. 1974). For further details on inoculum and duration of test methods see the Table below.

Table. The detailed information on duration and inoculum of test methods.

Test method	Inoculum	Result	Duration	Reference
Closed bottle test	Non-adapted domestic sewage	Readily biodegradable (95% BOD/ThOD)	20 days	Price et al., 1974
Respirometric test (BOD of THOD).	Non-adapted domestic sewage	Readily biodegradable (82.7% BOD/ThOD)	5 days	Wagner et al., 1976
Respirometric test (BOD of THOD).	Synthetic sewage	Readily biodegradable (71.5% BOD/ThOD)	5 days	Wagner et al., 1976
Closed bottle test	Marine water, raw wastewater, bacteria, growth factors	Readily biodegradable (97% BOD/ThOD)	20 days	Price et al., 1974
Biodegradability test	Activated sludge, industrial (adaptation not specified)	Readily biodegradable (> 90% TOC removal)	1 day	Matsui et al., 1988

 

Conclusion: Based on the available experimental information the hydrolysis product methanol is considered to be readily biodegradable (according to OECD criteria).