Aquatic risk assessment of alcohol ethoxylates in North America and Europe

摘要: Abstract An environmental risk assessment for alcohol ethoxylates (AE) is presented that integrates wastewater treatment plant monitoring, fate, and ecotoxicity research with a new application of mixture toxicity theory based on simple similar concentration addition AE homologs in species-sensitivity distribution (SSD) context. AEs are nonionic surfactants composed homologous series molecules range alkyl chain length from 12 to 18 carbons 0 units. Chronic summarized 17 species 60 tests then normalized monitoring data mixtures. To do so, chronic aquatic was first expressed as EC 10 per (the predicted cause 10% reduction an important ecological endpoint). Normalization integrated several quantitative structure–activity relationships algae, daphnids, fish, mesocosms provided interpretation test function individual mixture. SSDs were constructed each homolog the HC 5 (hazardous protective 95% small biological effect [the ]) predicted. Total mass monitored effluents 29 sites Europe, Canada, United States averaged 6.8, 2.8, 3.55 μg/L, respectively. For purposes, correction exposure account fatty derived sources other than sorbed components experimental evidence used determine concentrations undiluted (100%) North America Europe. Exposure findings toxic unit (TU)-based model considers measured effluent their corresponding SSDs. Use environmentally relevant corrections (bioavailability accounting AE-derived alcohol) resulted TUs ranging 0.015 0.212. Low levels concluded environments Europe America.