methyl acrylate; methyl propenoate

PBT assessment

PBT assessment: overall result

PBT status:

the substance is not PBT / vPvB

Justification:

In a CO2-Headspace test according to ISO 14593 which is identical to OECD 310 (Ready Biodegradability - CO2 in sealed vessels) methyl acrylate was readily biodegradable. After 28 days a biodegradation degree of 90 - 100 % (TIC/ThIC) was determined. The 10-day-window criterion for ready biodegradability was fulfilled (BAMM 2005). The test substance does not fulfill the criteria for persistency as outlined in Annex XIII of the REACH legislation of December 2006.

Methyl acrylate has a measured log Pow of 0.739 (25 °C) and a calculated BCF of 3.16, which give no indication for a potential for bioaccumulation. Therefore, it does not fulfill the criteria for bioaccumulation as outlined in Annex XIII of REACH legislation of December 2006.

The aquatic toxicity of the six acrylic esters (methyl, 2-ethylhexyl, ethyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, and tert-butyl acrylate) is evaluated as a category. The available data indicates an acute toxicity at the same order of magnitude across all three trophic levels for all acrylate esters within the category. The most sensitive test species in acute test was Daphnia magnawith EC50 between 1.3 and 8.74 mg/L. The chronic toxicity has been assessed on alga and inverterbrates, with NOEC>0.01mg/L at both trophic levels. A 21-day chronic life-cycle study with Daphnia magna is available with ethyl acrylate with a respective NOEC of 0.19 mg/L, while 21d-NOEC values for nBA and 2EHA are 0.136 mg/L and 0.85 mg/L. In addition, several NOEC values from studies in algal species are available ranging from 0.45 to 3.85 mg/L. The substance is not classified as a CMR and exhibits no long-term effect other than respiratory irritation. Further, the substance is not classified as T, R48 nor Xn. This data supports the conclusion that Methyl acrylate does not fulfill the criteria for toxicity as outlined in Annex XIII of REACH legislation of December 2006.