Methyl methacrylate: Environmental effects
Description
Methyl methacrylate has low acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) toxicity to aquatic life. Methyl methacrylate can contribute to the formation of photochemical smog when it reacts with other volatile substances in the air.
Entering the environment
Industrial emissions of methyl methacrylate can produce elevated, concentrations in the atmosphere around the source. Because of its short life expectancy in the atmosphere methyl methacrylate is expected to be confined to the local area within which it is emitted. Methyl methacrylate that makes its way into the ground, and does not evaporate, may move through the ground and enter groundwater (bore water), it is degraded in the water with in days.
Where it ends up
Methyl methacrylate quickly evaporates to a gas if released as a liquid. It dissolves when mixed with water. Most releases of methyl methacrylate are to the air. It can also evaporate from the soil or water when they are exposed to air. In the air it breaks down into other chemicals (pyruvic acid, methyl pyruvate, epoxides, and formaldehyde ), with in a couple of days. Microorganisms will break it down in the soil and the water, this may take hours or days. Since it does not bind well to soil if it is released to the ground it may make its way into the groundwater (bore water).
Environmental guidelines
No national guidelines.
Key
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