2,2'-p-phenylenedioxydiethanol

Endpoint summary

Additional information

Stability of HQEE in the environment:

 

In accordance with Annex X of the Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 REACH concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), information regarding phototransformation in air, as well as in water and soil, is not mandatory.

 

A reliable (Klimisch 1) hydrolysis study has been conducted for HQEE and is included in this dossier. The key study, Ward et. al (2003), determined that HQEE is hydrolytically stable with t1/2 = > 1 year.  Consequently this study will be taken for the hydrolysis endpoint.

Biodegradation of HQEE:

 

A reliable measured biodegradation study for HQEE is available and included in the dossier. A reliable study by Boeri and Ward (2003) showed that HQEE did not degraded in 28 days and therefore, the substance is considered not readily biodegradable.

 

Lawrence and Ruffing (1995) conducted a reliable (Klimisch 1) GLP compliant study which showed that HQEE degraded 97% in 28 days, based on measurement of DOC removal, indicating the substance is inherently biodegradable. 

 

Waiver. In accordance with Column 2 of REACH Annex IX, the simulation test on ultimate degradation in surface water, the soil simulation test and the sediment simulation test (required in Sections 9.2.1.2, 9.2.1.3 and 9.2.1.4 respectively) do not need to be conducted as direct or indirect exposure of surface water, soil and sediment is negligible. Exposure potential is expected to be negligible since the substance is only used as a monomer to make polyurethane mouldings. There is negligible exposure to aqueous process streams during downstream use and hence also negligible emission to a sewage treatment plant. Exposure of soil and sediment is hence also considered negligible. The chemical safety assessment does not indicate any need to investigate further the degradation of the substance and its degradation products. Also, the substance’s low hydrophilicity is demonstrated by the very low log octanol-water partition coefficient (Log Kow) of 0.41 at a neutral pH indicating low adsorptive potential. Therefore, no additional degradation testing is necessary based on negligible exposure. Identification of degradation products (required in Section 9.2.3) is also not necessary. 

 

Bioaccumulation of HQEE:

 

Measured bioconcentration information is not available for HQEE, therefore a waiver is applied. In accordance with Column 2 of REACH annex IX, the bioaccumulation test on fish need not be conducted if the substance has a low potential for bioaccumulation (for instance a log Kow <3) and/or a low potential to cross biological membranes. The partition coefficient of HQEE was determined in a reliable study (Young 2012) where the measured Kow is 0.41. Therefore, HQEE is considered to have low potential for bioaccumulation and no further testing is required.

 

Transport and distribution of HQEE: 

Waiver. In accordance with column 2 of REACH Annexes XIII, the adsorption / desorption study (required in section 9.3.1 and 9.3.3) do not need to be conducted if, based on the physicochemical properties the substance can be expected to have a low potential for adsorption (e.g. the substance has a low octanol-water partition coefficient). The partition coefficient of HQEE was determined in a reliable study (Young 2012) where the measured log Kow is 0.41. Therefore, HQEE is considered to have low potential for absorption and no further testing is required.

 

Waiver. In accordance with the REACH Regulations, determination of Henry’s Law constant is not a standard information requirement.

 

Waiver. In accordance with the REACH Regulations distribution is not a standard information requirement