4-(α,α-dimethylbenzyl)phenol

PBT assessment

PBT assessment: overall result

PBT status:

the substance is not PBT / vPvB

Justification:

Evidence of the lack of persistency for p-Cumylphenol was concluded from the results of assessment of the chemical structure using the BIOWIN model in the EPISuite program. The BIOWIN results for p-Cumylphenol  are as follows:

• non-linear model (BIOWIN2) prediction: Biodegrades fast (0.72) or

• MITI non-linear model (BIOWIN6) prediction: Does not Biodegrade fast (0.17) and

• ultimate biodegradation timeframe (BIOWIN3) prediction: Weeks-months (2.6)

Based on these results and information available in the European Commission (2003) Technical Guidance Document on Risk Assessment, p-Cumylphenol would not be considered Persistent or Very Persistent.

A reliable QSAR model was used to calculate the bioaccumulation potential of p-Cumylphenol. BCF values were calculated using the BCFBAF v3.01 module embedded within the EPISuite v4.11) computer model. The calculated BCF (regression-based model) was 149 L/kg wet-wt., while the BAF (Arnot-Gobas upper trophic) was 173 L/kg wet-wt. These values are supported by an experimental bioaccumulation study reported on the J-Check website with BCF values ranging from 69 to 190 L/kg. None of these values would classify p-Cumylphenol as Bioaccumulative or Very Bioaccumulative.

Predicted and measured chronic aquatic toxicity tests indicate the substance does not meets the criteria to be regarded as toxic (T). Furthermore p-Cumylphenol is not classified as carcinogenic, germ cell mutagenic, or toxic for reproduction or STOT.