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Environmental fate & pathways

Biodegradation in water: screening tests

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Description of key information

The test substance is readily biodegradable according to OECD criteria.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Biodegradation in water:
readily biodegradable

Additional information

The biodegradability of 2 -aminoethanol (MEA, CAS 141-43-5) was investigated in several ready biodegradability tests in an OECD ring test (BASF AG, 1995) using non-adapted, domestic activated sludge as inoculum. According to the OECD criteria, 2 -aminoethanol is readily biodegradable; the 10-d window was kept in all guideline studies.

Key study: BASF AG (1995). OECD 301A: > 90% DOC removal after 4 d , > 90% DOC after 21 d

Supporting studies:

- BASF AG (1995). OECD 301B: > 60% CO2 after 5 d, > 80% after 31 d

- BASF AG (1995). OECD 301F: 60% BOD after 5 d, 70% after 14 d

- BASF AG (1995). OECD 301F: > 60% BOD after 5d, 75% BOD after 14 d

- MITI (1975). OECD 301C: 83% BOD after 14 d

- Emtiazi & Knapp (1994). Die-away test. River water, 100% after 1.5 d.

Additionally, two guideline studies according to OECD 306 were performed with saltwater by Eide-Haugmo et al. (2009/2012). In the study from 2009 the BOD was < 40% after 28 days. In the study from 2012 the BOD was 68% after 28 days.

Therefore, MEA is readily biodegradable according to OECD criteria.