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Environmental fate & pathways

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Bioaccumulation of biphenyl is assessed on the basis of both screening (measured log Kow = 4.008) and definitive criteria (measured BCF in multiple species). Whereas the log Kow may be indicative of moderate potential for bioaccumulation, the available results from bioconcentration tests in alga, fish, and oyster indicate a low potential for bioaccumulation, which appears to be influenced in part by the ability of organisms to metabolise the substance to more polar and excretable substances. A highly conservative fish BCF value of 1,900 L/kg is used for PBT and Chemical Safety Assessment, while a more realistic and relevant value of BCF = 438 is reported by Neely et al. for accumulation of biphenyl in edible fish tissue. Biphenyl is concluded to be not B/not vB, and to have low bioaccumulation potential in the environment.