Environmental assessment of the alkanolamines

Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
J W Davis, C L Carpenter

Abstract

This review provides a summary of current information available on the environmental fate and aquatic toxicology of the alkanolamines. Because these materials are widely used, there is a need to understand their fate and effects in the environment. This assessment was confined to information regarding selected physical properties of the alkanolamines as well as their potential for degradation in the atmosphere, soil, surface water, and groundwater. In addition, their relevant aquatic toxicological information and bioconcentration potential were evaluated. In general, the alkanolamines have high water solubilities and low to moderate vapor pressures. Some are solids whereas others are liquids at room temperature. Aqueous solutions of the alkanolamines are basic, with the pKas decreasing with increased alkyl substitution. Predictions of the environmental distribution of these compounds, based on a unit world model of Mackay and Paterson, suggested that alkanolamines would partition primarily into the aqueous compartment at equilibrium, with the remainder distributed to the atmosphere. Only a very small fraction of these materials is expected to sorb to soil or sediments. However, adsorption mechanisms other than partitioning into...Continue Reading

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