2-Ethoxyethanol acetate: Environmental effects
Description
2-Ethoxyethyl acetate will exist as a gas if released to the atmosphere. It dissolves when mixed with water. In the air it is reacted into other chemicals, in the water and soil bacteria break it down. It has slight acute (short-term) toxicity on aquatic life. It has slight chronic (long-term) toxicity to aquatic life. Chronic and acute effects on plants, birds or land animals have not been determined. (This information is based upon data from similar glycol ethers).
Entering the environment
Industrial emissions of 2-Ethoxyethyl acetate can produce elevated, but still low level concentrations in the atmosphere around the source. The majority of the releases are to the air, where it exists in the gas phase. In the air it is reacted with sunlight and other chemicals which break it down in one to a few days. Because of its short life expectancy in the atmosphere 2-Ethoxyethyl acetate is expected to be confined to the local area within which it is emitted. Much of the 2-Ethoxyethyl acetate will be deposited on to the land or water by rain or dew. In the water it will be degraded in one to a few weeks. (This information is based upon data from similar glycol ethers).
Where it ends up
2-Ethoxyethyl acetate enters the air during production, use and transporting it. In the air sunlight and other chemicals will break it down into other chemicals in one to a few days. The reaction products are hydroxyesters, hydroxyacids, hydroxycarbonyls, peroxyacyl nitrates and formaldehyde. It dissolves when mixed with water. In water it will be broken down into other chemicals in one to a few weeks. In the soil and water bacteria will break it down. (This information is based upon data from similar glycol ethers).
Environmental guidelines
No national guidelines.
Key
Links to an another web site
Opens a pop-up window
