2-butoxyethanol

Endpoint summary

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 2 -butoxyethanol is readily biodegradable in freshwater with non adapted bacterial populations. A further supporting study indicates that the substance is also readily biodegradable in saltwater. Studies using adapted innoculii also indicate ready biodegradability suggesting rapid degradation will occur in WWTPs.

The degradation in ground water was found to proceed at a slow rate under oxic conditions, with a likely half life in the range 100 -200 days but there was little degradation under anoxic conditions, with degradation proceeding little faster than with the abiotic control (half life 630 -870 days).