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Environmental fate & pathways

Biodegradation in water and sediment: simulation tests

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Description of key information

Chloroethane is not readily biodegradable but biodegradation in water or sediment is unlikely to contribute to the overall degradation in the environment because the substance is a gaseous and primary environmental compartment to which it would partition is air.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Additional information

Chloroethane (CAS 75-00-3) is a gas and will primarily partition to air. Therefore, distribution of the substance to water and sediment and a subsequent accumulation in theses compartments is unlikely. The available data indicate that the substance is not readily biodegradable. Comparable degradation rates are expected for biodegradation in sediment.


Further, according to REACH Annex IX, section 9.2., column 2, "Further degradation testing shall be proposed by the registrant or may be required by the Agency ..." in case the result of the CSA indicates the need. This is not the case: the substance was assessed not to fulfil PBT or vPvB properties (not B), and all RCRs (PEC/PNEC ratios) are well below 1. Accordingly, no simulation testing is needed.