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The available experimental data on the substances of the Alcohol Ethoxylates (AE) category indicates a rapid degradation of the substances under aerobic conditions. All test substances reached degradation rates > 60% and thus are regarded as readily biodegradable according to OECD criteria.  

The main mechanism of primary biodegradation for the linear and essentially linear AE is the central cleavage of the molecule, leading to the formation of long chain alcohol and polyethylene glycol (HERA, 2009; Marcomini et al., 2000a; Marcomini et al., 2000b). Alcohol ethoxylates are generally considered readily biodegradable under aerobic and anaerobic conditions (HERA, 2009).

 

References:

HERA - Human & Environmental Risk Assessment on ingredients of European household cleaning products (2009). Alcohol Ethoxylates. Version 2.0, September, 2009

Marcomini, A., Zanette, M., Pojana, G., Suter, M. (2000a). Behavior of Aliphatic Alcohol Polyethoxylates and their Metabolites under Standardized Aerobic Biodegradation Conditions. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 19, 549–554.

Marcomini, A., Pojana, G., Carrer, C., Cavalli, L., Cassani, L., Lazzarin, M. (2000b). Aerobic Biodegradation of Monobranched Aliphatic Alcohol Polyethoxylates. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 19, 555-560.