Reaction mass of 4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol and phenol

Endpoint summary

Additional information

The environmental properties of the reaction mass of phenol and 4,4’-isopropylidenediphenol was assessed by examination of the properties of the constituents and impurities of the mixture and using this information in a read across approach as described in section 13. 

 

Biodegradation would be expected to be the most important process affecting fate/lifetime of the substance components in water, soil, and sediment. The major constituents, phenol and 4,4’-isopropylidenediphenol (representing 60-85% of the composition), have been shown to meet criteria for classification as readily biodegradable. Phenol showed 62% biodegradation within 100 hours in the OECD 301C screening test. Extensive biodegradation (86-96%) was also noted for phenol in biochemical oxygen demand tests conducted with both freshwater and saltwater inocula. 4,4’-Isopropylidenediphenol has also shown to be extensively degraded in OECD 301F manometric respirometry tests. The extent of degradation ranged from 77 to 92.3% and 76 to 81% based on oxygen consumption and CO2 formation, respectively.

 

Biodegradation of the impurities in the substance was assessed using both QSAR estimation and experimental methods. Screening tests were also conducted with a test material, 2-Acetone, polymer with phenol, which is a suitable surrogate for the reaction mass of phenol and 4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol. The surrogate test material showed 16% biodegradation after 28 days. Biodegradation may have been limited by availability of the components to the microorganisms. QSAR model predictions indicate the various minor constituents of the reaction mass are expected to biodegrade slowly and at varying rates, ranging from weeks to months. Overall, the substance (reaction mass of phenol and 4,4’-isopropylidenediphenol) would be expected to ultimately biodegrade in the environment.