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Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.

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Diss Factsheets

Environmental fate & pathways

Biodegradation in soil

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Administrative data

Link to relevant study record(s)

Description of key information

A GLP-study equivalent to OECD guideline 304A is available for propylene glycol methyl ether acetate.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Additional information

Studies were carried out on the degradation of propylene glycol methyl ether by soil microorganisms under aerobic condition at 25°C. Three different soil samples, a sandy soil and two sandy loam soils (classified as a Tappan series and a Londo series) were used. Complete degradation of propylene glycol methyl ether acetate occurred in less than 1 day. The substantial degradation of the parent compound had occurred during the several hours required to prepare and analyse the day 0 samples. The intermediate product, identified as 14C-propylene glycol methyl ether, rapidly degraded to 14CO2. The maximum amount of 14CO2 produced was 57% of the initially applied radioactivity. Degradation of propylene glycol methyl ether will depend on the nature and the amount of the microorganisms. Similar results were obtained at concentrations of 2 and 20 ppm demonstrating that propylene glycol methyl ether acetate concentration is not a factor influencing biodegradation rates. In the same study, the degradation of propylene glycol methyl ether acetate by soil microorganisms under anaerobic condition was analysed. Propylene glycol methyl ether acetate rapidly degraded to propylene glycol methyl ether in anaerobic microcosms. Thereafter, no degradation of the parent glycol ether was apparent after two months. 14CO2 detected in the microcosms was less than 3% of the initially applied radioactivity.