Chlorophenols (di, tri, tetra): Environmental effects
Description
The effects of chlorophenols on the environment are not well known. In high concentrations they can have immediate effects as with humans. This can include death of plants, animals, birds and fish. There is insufficient information to be able to determine longer term effects.
Entering the environment
Chlorophenols can be transported by air as a particle or vapour, in surface of ground water and also in solids and soil.
Where it ends up
In the environment, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol is found most frequently in water, especially near hazardous waste sites contaminated with 2,4,6-trichlorophenol. A combination of factors aid in the removal of 2,4,6- trichlorophenol from water. These include breakdown of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol by bacteria, some breakdown by the sun, evaporation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol into the atmosphere, and its removal by attaching to other particles in water. This removal occurs in about 1 to 19 days. In sewage plants, it is broken down even more quickly by bacteria present in sewage.
Environmental guidelines
Australian Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Waters (ANZECC, 1992):
2,4-dichlorophenol: Maximum 0.2 micrograms/L (i.e. 0.0000002g/L) in fresh water (no guideline for salt water).
Total trichlorophenol: Maximum 18 micrograms/L (i.e. 0.000018g/L) in fresh water (no guideline for salt water).
2,4,5-trichlorophenol: Maximum 8 micrograms/L (i.e. 0.000008g/L) in salt water (no guideline for fresh water).
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