Registration Dossier

Diss Factsheets

Environmental fate & pathways

Endpoint summary

Administrative data

Description of key information

Additional information

Stability

Photodegradation in air

No measured data on photodegradation/photolysis are available for TEA-Esterquats. Due to the very low emissions of TEA-Esterquats to air (negligible vapour pressure) the extent of photodegradation in air has no relevance for the environmental fate for this class of chemicals.

 

Hydrolysis

TEA-Esterquats are characterized by hydrophobic parts of the moieties “R” linked to the charged head group via ester bonds R-C(O)O-and are therefore expected to be subject to a gradual degradation by chemical or biological hydrolysis. This is supported by the test on hydrolysis for partially unsaturated TEA-Esterquat. Half-lives of 17 d (pH 7) and 11.3 d (pH 9) were deduced from the reaction rate constants at 25 °C. Di- and mono-ester were detected as degradation products.

According to REACH regulation (Annex VIII, 9.2.2.1 column 2) a hydrolysis test does not need to be conducted if the substance is readily biodegradable. As the TEA-Esterquats are determined to be readily biodegradable, biodegradable under anaerobic conditions and under different environmental conditions (water, sewage treatment plants) a study on hydrolysis is considered to be not necessary.

 

Biodegradation

Biodegradation in water: screening test

There are several reliable studies available for biodegradability screening tests of the TEA-Esterquats. The ready biodegradation of the test substance fully saturated TEA-Esterquat, hardened was investigated in a key study (Clariant GmbH, 2002) conducted according to OECD 301B (1992) over a period of 28 days and using activated sludge municipal sewage treatment plant as inoculum. The test substance was determined to be readily biodegradable (65 - 66% biodegradation after 28 days).

 

Transport and distribution

Adsorption/desorption

According to REACH regulation (Annex VIII, 9.3.1 column 2) an adsorption/desorption screening test does not need to be conducted, if the substance and its relevant degradation products decompose rapidly. As the TEA-Esterquats are determined to be readily biodegradable and are subject to degradation by hydrolysis, a study on adsorption/desorption is considered to be not necessary.