Registration Dossier
Registration Dossier
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EC number: 203-713-7 | CAS number: 109-86-4
Endpoint summary
Administrative data
Description of key information
Additional information
A number of biodegradation screening studies have been carried out using both adapted and unadapted innoculii and in both fresh and saltwater. The key biodegradation screening study clearly indicates that methoxyethanol is readily biodegradable in freshwater with non adapted bacterial populations. A further supporting study indicates that primary degradation can be very rapid, occuring within hours. Additional studies support this conclusion and also provide evidence that adapted bacteria degrade methoxyethanol much more rapidly than unadapted colonies. There is only a single study available in saltwater. This study was performed over only 20 days and indicated degradation of 39% over this timeframe with a non adapted innoculum. Degradation over 28 days may well reach 60% but it is not possible to reach a firm conclusion as to whether methoxyethanol is readily biodegradable from this study. However, the degradation is unlikely to fulfill the 10 day window requirement for ready biodegradation in salt water with unadapted bacteria. It is therefore reasonable to conclude that in salt water, methoxyethanol is inherently biodegradable to unadapted bacteria but readily biodegradable to adapted bacteria. Methoxyethanol is readily biodegradable under all conditions in freshwater environments and in WWTPs.
Information on Registered Substances comes from registration dossiers which have been assigned a registration number. The assignment of a registration number does however not guarantee that the information in the dossier is correct or that the dossier is compliant with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (the REACH Regulation). This information has not been reviewed or verified by the Agency or any other authority. The content is subject to change without prior notice.
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