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Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.

The new ECHA CHEM database has been released by ECHA, and it now contains all REACH registration data. There are more details on the transition of ECHA's published data to ECHA CHEM here.

Diss Factsheets

Environmental fate & pathways

Endpoint summary

Administrative data

Description of key information

Biodegradation in water

The ready biodegradation of Tributylmethylammonium chloride (Methy tributyl ammonium chloride (MTBAC)) under the conditions of the carbon dioxide (CO2) evolution test (modified Sturm test) was investigated according to OECD guideline 301B and GLP principles. No significant biodegradation of Tributylmethylammonium chloride was observed. Therefore it is concluded that the substance was not readily biodegradable under the conditions of the modified Sturm test presently performed.

Biodegradation in water and sediment

Estimation Programs Interface (2018) prediction model was run to predict the half-life in water and sediment for the test compound Tributylmethylammonium chloride (CAS No. 56375 -79 -2). If released in to the environment, 18.1% of the chemical will partition into water according to the Mackay fugacity model level III and the half-life period of Tributylmethylammonium chloride in water is estimated to be 8.666 days (208 hrs). The half-life (8.666 days estimated by EPI suite) indicates that the chemical is not persistent in water and the exposure risk to aquatic animals is moderate to low whereas the half-life period of Tributylmethylammonium chloride in sediment is estimated to be 77.916 days (1870 hrs). Based on this half-life value, it indicates that Tributylmethylammonium chloride is not persistent in sediment.

Biodegradation in soil

The half-life period of Tributylmethylammonium chloride (CAS No. 56375 -79 -2) in soil was estimated using Level III Fugacity Model by EPI Suite version 4.1 estimation database (2018). If released into the environment, 81% of the chemical will partition into soil according to the Mackay fugacity model level III. The half-life period of Tributylmethylammonium chloride in soil is estimated to be 17.33 days (416 hrs). Based on this half-life value of Tributylmethylammonium chloride, it is concluded that the chemical is not persistent in the soil environment and the exposure risk to soil dwelling animals is moderate to low.

Additional information

Biodegradation in water

A single test concentration of 18mg/L (12 mg TOC/L) was tested during 28 days.

Max. 8% biodegradation of Tributylmethylammonium chloride (Methy tributyl ammonium chloride (MTBAC)) was observed after 28d.

In the toxicity control more than 25% biodegradation of the reference substance occurred within 14 days (40%, based on ThCO2) indicating that the test substance does not inhibit microbial activity at a nominal concentration of 18 mg/L.

The study is considered to be reliable without restrictions.

Biodegradation in water and sediment

Estimation Programs Interface (2018) prediction model was run to predict the half-life in water and sediment for the test compound Tributylmethylammonium chloride (CAS No. 56375 -79 -2). If released in to the environment, 18.1% of the chemical will partition into water according to the Mackay fugacity model level III and the half-life period of Tributylmethylammonium chloride in water is estimated to be 8.666 days (208 hrs). The half-life (8.666 days estimated by EPI suite) indicates that the chemical is not persistent in water and the exposure risk to aquatic animals is moderate to low whereas the half-life period of Tributylmethylammonium chloride in sediment is estimated to be 77.916 days (1870 hrs). Based on this half-life value, it indicates that Tributylmethylammonium chloride is not persistent in sediment.

Biodegradation in soil

The half-life period of Tributylmethylammonium chloride (CAS No. 56375 -79 -2) in soil was estimated using Level III Fugacity Model by EPI Suite version 4.1 estimation database (2018). If released into the environment, 81% of the chemical will partition into soil according to the Mackay fugacity model level III. The half-life period of Tributylmethylammonium chloride in soil is estimated to be 17.33 days (416 hrs). Based on this half-life value of Tributylmethylammonium chloride, it is concluded that the chemical is not persistent in the soil environment and the exposure risk to soil dwelling animals is moderate to low.

On the basis of available information, the test substance Tributylmethylammonium chloride can be considered to be not readily biodegradable in nature.