Methyloxirane

PBT assessment

PBT assessment: overall result

PBT status:

the substance is not PBT / vPvB

Justification:

PBT AND VPVB ASSESSMENT

1. Assessment of PBT/vPvB Properties

1.1. Persistence Assessment

Propylene oxide was found ready biodegradable (89% after 28 days) under aerobic conditions in a modified MITI test (MITI 1988) and can therefore be regarded as not persistent.

1.2. Bioaccumulation Assessment

No experimental data are available for bioaccumulation of propylene oxide. Based on the result of the octanol/water partition coefficient (Log Kow of 0.055) propylene oxide is not expected to significantly accumulate in aquatic organisms. Therefore, propylene oxide can be regarded as not bioaccumulative

1.3. Toxicity Assessment

Experimental data on acute toxicity are available for propylene oxide. All acute L(E) C₅₀values are much higher than the screening criterion of 0.1 mg/L. It can therefore be expected that propylene oxide is not toxic towards aquatic organisms.

Propylene oxide, however, is classified as carcinogenic and mutagenic Cat. 2. Therefore, propylene oxide is assigned as being toxic.

1.4. Summary and overall Conclusions on PBT or vPvB Properties

Comparison with the Criteria of Annex XIII An assessment of the PBT status of propylene oxide has been made using all available data. The information available suggests that propylene oxide does not meet the PBT screening criteria as outlined in Annex XIII of Directive 2006/121/EC; that asubstance is identified as a PBT substance if it fulfils the criteria infor persistence and for bioaccumulation and for toxicity.

Regarding all available data on biotic and abiotic degradation, bioaccumulation and toxicity it can be stated that the substance does not fulfill the PBT/ vPvB criteria.                                                           

 

2. Emission Characterisation

Because the substance does not fulfill the PBT and vPvB criteria, no emission characterisation is performed.