Registration Dossier

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Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.

The new ECHA CHEM database has been released by ECHA, and it now contains all REACH registration data. There are more details on the transition of ECHA's published data to ECHA CHEM here.

Diss Factsheets

Environmental fate & pathways

Endpoint summary

Administrative data

Description of key information

The substance is expected to have a low potential for bioaccumulation.

Additional information

The target substanceFatty acids, C16, C18 and C18-unsaturated, C12-15 alcohol (linear and branched), esters is a long-chain aliphatic ester with a high estimated log Kow of > 10.0, which may be indicative of a potential for bioaccumulation. However, since the substance has low water solubility and is readily biodegradable, no chronic exposure and relevant uptake by aquatic organisms is likely. Moreover, the biochemical processes involved in the metabolization of aliphatic esters, comprising enzymatic hydrolysis and the subsequent metabolization of the corresponding carboxylic acid and alcohol, are ubiquitous in the animal kingdom. Thus, in the unlikely event of uptake by fish, the substance is expected to be rapidly metabolized via enzymatic hydrolysis into its corresponding fatty acids and fatty alcohols. It is well known from literature that the resulting hydrolysis products will also be effectively metabolized and excreted by fish (Heymann, 1980; Lech & Bend, 1980; Lech & Melancon, 1980; Murphy & Lutenske, 1990; Sand et al., 1973). Thus, the log Kow presumably overestimates the true bioaccumulation potential of this substance. This conclusion is further supported by QSAR estimates for the smallest and biggest components of the substance, which resulted in BCF values of up to 22.7 L/kg (BCFBAF v3.01) and are well below the threshold value of 2000 L/kg for bioaccumulative substances, as laid down by the REACH regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, section 1 of Annex XIII.

 

In conclusion, the substance is expected to have a low potential for bioaccumulation.

 

REFERENCES

Heymann, E. (1980): Carboxylesterases and amidases. In: Jakoby, W.B., Bend, J.R. & Caldwell, J., eds., Enzymatic Basis of Detoxication, 2nd Ed., New York: Academic Press, pp. 291-323.

Lech, J., Melancon, M. (1980): Uptake, metabolism, and deposition of xenobiotic chemicals in fish. EPA-600 3-80-082. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, MN, USA.

Lech, J.J. & Bend, J.R. (1980): Relationship between biotransformation and the toxicity and fate of xenobiotic chemicals in fish. Environ. Health Perspec. 34, 115-131.

Murphy, P.G., Lutenske, N.E. (1990): Bioconcentration of haloxyfop-methyl in bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus Rafinesque). Environ. Intern. 16, 219-230.

Sand, D.M., Rahn, C.H., Schlenk, H. (1973): Wax esters in fish: Absorption and metabolism of oleyl alcohol in the gourami (Trichogaster cosby). J Nutr 103: 600-607.