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Environmental fate & pathways

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Dichloromethane is a volatile substance which is difficult to test for biodegradation in the experimental systems. The estimated QSARs data on environmental degradation of dichloromethane are summarized in table below. Overall, the QSAR estimated data suggest that this substance will not degrade fast in the environment.

 

Table Degradation rates of dichloromethane

 

Degradation rate in water:

Abiotic transformation:

Hydrolysis is not a relevant degradation route for the substance.

 

Biotic transformation:

DT50=37.5 days (900 hours)

Degradation rate in sediment:

DT50=337.5 days (8100 hours)

Degradation rate in soil:

DT50=75 days (1800 hours)

Degradation rate in air:

DT50=75.3 days (1808 hours)

DT50 (for reaction with hydroxyl radicals)=79.3 days

 

Based on the data summarized in this section of CSR, dichloromethane is not considered to degrade rapidly via abiotic or biotic degradation paths.