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Environmental fate & pathways

Biodegradation in water and sediment: simulation tests

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The Screening test here reported showed that 1,2-dichloropropane is not inherently biodegradable as only 11.7% of degradation was observed after 28 days. No simulation was deemed to be performed as 1,2-dichloropropane is not expected to segregate in the water and sediment compartments due to its attitude to volatise in the atmospheric compartment.

Furthermore no biodegradation of 1,2-dichloropropane was detected when the substance (150 mg/l) was incubated aerobically with municipal activated sludge (1,000 mg/l mixed liquor suspended solids) for 28 days in an OECD 302B (modified EMPA Zahn-Wellens test), conducted according to GLP requirements (Gonsioret al., 2002).

However, there are published examples of acclimated municipal and other systems where 1,2-dichloropropane does undergo biodegradation, including addition of co-factors (acetate and methanol), and enrichment of cultures (Hauck and Hegemann, 1999; Hardyet al., 1999). It is unknown if such conditions exist or if biodegradation occurs in the environment. However water, soil, and sediment compartments are not considered of concern for 1,2-dichloropropane, due to its attitude to segregate in air.