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Environmental fate & pathways

Biodegradation in water: screening tests

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Administrative data

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Reference
Endpoint:
biodegradation in water: ready biodegradability
Type of information:
read-across from supporting substance (structural analogue or surrogate)
Adequacy of study:
key study
Justification for type of information:
REPORTING FORMAT FOR THE ANALOGUE APPROACH
See attached justification document 'update_Category Justification_ethylene glycol and higher glycols_2022.doc'

1. HYPOTHESIS FOR THE ANALOGUE APPROACH
See above.

2. SOURCE AND TARGET CHEMICAL(S) (INCLUDING INFORMATION ON PURITY AND IMPURITIES)
See above.

3. ANALOGUE APPROACH JUSTIFICATION
See above.

4. DATA MATRIX
See above.
Reason / purpose for cross-reference:
read-across source
Reason / purpose for cross-reference:
read-across source
Reason / purpose for cross-reference:
read-across source
Reason / purpose for cross-reference:
read-across source
Reason / purpose for cross-reference:
read-across source
Reason / purpose for cross-reference:
read-across source
Reason / purpose for cross-reference:
read-across source
Parameter:
% degradation (DOC removal)
Value:
101
Sampling time:
28 d
Remarks on result:
other: readily biodegradable, but failing 10-day window
Remarks:
CAS 111-46-6, 301A, BASF AG, 1994
Parameter:
% degradation (DOC removal)
Value:
99
Sampling time:
28 d
Remarks on result:
other: readily biodegradable, but failing 10-day window
Remarks:
CAS 111-46-6, 301B, BASF AG, 1995
Parameter:
% degradation (DOC removal)
Value:
102
Sampling time:
28 d
Remarks on result:
other: readily biodegradable, but failing 10-day window
Remarks:
CAS 111-46-6, 301A, BASF AG, 1995
Parameter:
% degradation (O2 consumption)
Value:
90
Sampling time:
28 d
Remarks on result:
other: inherently biodegradable
Remarks:
CAS 111-46-6, 302C, MITI, 1989
Parameter:
% degradation (DOC removal)
Value:
> 90 - < 100
Sampling time:
20 d
Remarks on result:
other: readily biodegradable
Remarks:
CAS 112-60-7, 301A, BASF AG, 1995
Parameter:
% degradation (DOC removal)
Value:
>= 90 - <= 100
Sampling time:
10 d
Remarks on result:
other: ready biodegradable, but falling 10-day window
Remarks:
CAS 107-21-1, 301A, BASF AG, 1996
Parameter:
% degradation (O2 consumption)
Value:
>= 83
Sampling time:
14 d
Remarks on result:
other: ready biodegradable
Remarks:
CAS 107-21-1, 301C, MITI, 1988

Description of key information

In conclusion, the evaluation of the biodegradability of the five short chain ethylene glycols can be derived from numerous different studies. Summarizing all available data for the structurally similar substances, it can be concluded that the complete members of the group including the 2,2'-(Ethylenedioxy)diethanol are readily biodegradable.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Biodegradation in water:
readily biodegradable
Type of water:
freshwater

Additional information

There is no data for assessment of the biodegradability of 2,2'-(Ethylenedioxy)diethanol. Therefore a read-aross approach was performed with three structurally similar substances (CAS 107 -21 -1, CAS 111 -46 -6, CAS 112 -60 -7).

Several results on the ready biodegradability of the diethylene glycol (DEG, CAS 111 -46 -6) are available. According to the available study reports, the substance fulfils the ready biodegradability criteria within the 28-d test period; however, the 10-day window criterion is failed in all of the available studies (301A BASF AG 1995, 1994, 301B BASF AG, 1995). DEG can be assessed as „biodegradable“ or „readily biodegradable, but failing the 10-d window“.

Additionally, the inherent biodegradability of DEG is supported by a OECD 302C study (NITE, 2017).

In case of mono-ethylene glycol (CAS 107 -21 -1) a very rapid biodegradation was detected in the DOC Die Away Test according to OECD 301A (BASF AG, 1996). After 10 days > 90 % degradation of ethylene glycol was determined. The time window of the degradation phase is approx. 3 days.

In a MITI-I test (similar to OECD 301 C) the substance was degraded between 83 and 96% in 14 days of exposure (based on oxygen consumption, BOD/ThOD; MITI, 1988). A mixture of sewage, soil and natural water was used as inoculum. The validity criteria of the OECD guideline 301C were met. In the test study conducted according to OECD 301A tetra-EG (CAS 112 -60 -7) was degraded within a time window of approx. 9 days (BASF, 1995).

In conclusion, the evaluation of the biodegradability of the five short chain ethylene glycols can be derived from numerous different studies. Summarizing all available data for the structurally similar substances, it can be concluded that the complete members of the group including the 2,2'-(Ethylenedioxy)diethanol are readily biodegradable.