volatilise Atmospheric half-lives of 0.10 to 0.66 days have been calculated for representative C15 hydrocarbon components of lubricating base oils
Stability in Water: Chemicals that have a potential to hydrolyze include alkyl halides, amides, carbamates, carboxylic acid esters and lactones, epoxides, phosphate esters, and sulfonic acid
esters. Because lubricating base oils do not contain significant levels of these functional groups, materials in the lubricating base oils category are not subject to hydrolysis
Chemical Transport and Distribution in the Environment : Based on the physical-chemical characteristics of component hydrocarbons in lubricating base oils, the lower molecular weight
components are expected to have the highest vapour pressures and water solubilities, and the lowest partition coefficients. These factors enhance the potential for widespread distribution in the
environment. To gain an understanding of the potential transport and distribution of lubricating base oil components, the EQC (Equilibrium Criterion) model was used to characterize the
environmental distribution of different C15 compounds representing different structures found in lube oils (e.g., paraffins, naphthenes, and aromatics). The modelling found partitioning to soil or
air is the ultimate fate of these C15 compounds. Aromatic compounds partition principally to soil. Linear paraffins partition mostly to soil, while branching appears to allow greater distribution to air.
Naphthenes distribute to both soil and air, with increasing proportions in soil for components with the greater number of ring structures. Because the modelling does not take into account
degradation factors, levels modelled in the atmosphere are likely overstated in light of the tendency for indirect photodegradation to occur.
Biodegradation: The extent of biodegradation measured for a particular lubricating oil basestock is dependent not only on the procedure used but also on how the sample is presented in the
biodegradation test. Lubricant base oils typically are not readily biodegradable in standard 28-day tests. However, since the oils consist primarily of hydrocarbons that are ultimately assimilated by
microorganisms, and therefore inherently biodegradable. Twenty-eight biodegradability studies have been reported for a variety of lubricating base oils. Based on the results of ultimate
biodegradability tests using modified Sturm and manometric respirometry testing the base oils are expected to be, for the most part, inherently biodegradable. Biodegradation rates found using the
modified Sturm procedure ranged from 1.5 to 29%. Results from the manometric respirometry tests on similar materials showed biodegradation rates from 31 to 50%. Biodegradation rates
measured in 21-day CEC tests for similar materials ranged from 13 to 79%.
Ecotoxicity:
Numerous acute studies covering fish, invertebrates, and algae have been conducted to assess the ecotoxicity of various lubricating base oils. None of these studies have shown evidence of acute
toxicity to aquatic organisms. Eight, 7-day exposure studies using rainbow trout failed to demonstrate toxicity when tested up to the maximum concentration of 1000 mg/L applied as dispersions.
Three, 96-hour tests with rainbow trout also failed to show any toxic effects when tested up to 1000 mg/L applied as dispersions. Similarly, three 96-hour tests with fathead minnows at a maximum
test concentration of 100 mg/L water accommodated fractions (WAF) showed no adverse effects. Two species of aquatic invertebrates (Daphnia magna and Gammarus sp.) were exposed to WAF
solutions up to 10,000 mg/L for 48 and 96-hours, respectively, with no adverse effects being observed. Four-day exposures of the freshwater green alga (Scenedesmus subspicatus) to 500 mg/L
WAF solutions failed to show adverse effects on growth rate and algal cell densities in four studies
Multiple chronic ecotoxicity studies have shown no adverse effects to daphnid survival or reproduction. In 10 of 11 chronic studies, daphnids were exposed for 21 days to WAF preparations of
lubricating base oils with no ill effects on survival or reproduction at the maximum concentration of 1000 mg/L. One test detected a reduction in reproduction at 1000 mg/L. Additional data support
findings of no chronic toxicity to aquatic invertebrates and fish. No observed effect levels ranged from 550 to 5,000 mg/L when tested as either dispersions or WAFs.
The data described above are supported by studies on a homologous series of alkanes. The author concluded that the water solubility of carbon chains .C10 is too limited to elicit acute toxicity. This
also was shown for alkylbenzene compounds having carbon numbers .C15. Since base oils consist of carbon compounds of C15 to C50, component hydrocarbons that are of acute toxicological
concern are, for the most part, absent in these materials. Similarly, due to their low solubility, the alkylated two to three ring polyaromatic components in base oils are not expected to cause acute or
chronic toxicity. This lack of toxicity is borne out in the results of the reported studies.
The effects of crude and refined oils on organisms found in fresh and sea water ha been extensively reviewed.
sea water. Where spillages occur the non-mobile species suffer the greatest mortality, whereas fish species can often escape from the affected region. The extent of the initial mortality depends on
the chemical nature of the oil, the location, and the physical conditions, particularly the temperature and wind velocity. Most affected freshwater and marine communities recover from the effects of
an oil spill within a year. The occurrence of biogenic hydrocarbons in the world's oceans is well recorded. They have the characteristic isoprenoid structure, and measurements made in water
columns indicate a background concentration of 1.0 to 10 ul/l. The higher molecular weight materials are dispersed as particles, with the highest concentrations of about 20 ul/l occurring in the top
3 mm layer of water.
A wide variation in the response of organisms to oil exposures has been noted. The larvae of fish and crustaceans appear to be most susceptible to the water-soluble fraction of crude oil.
Exposures of plankton and algae have indicated that certain species of diatoms and green algae are inhibited, whereas microflagellates are not.
For the most part, molluscs and most intertidal worm species appear to be tolerant of oil contamination.
Terpenes such as limonene and isoprene contribute to aerosol and photochemical smog formation. Emissions of biogenic hydrocarbons, such as the terpenes, to the atmosphere may either
decrease ozone concentrations when oxides of nitrogen are low or, if emissions take place in polluted air (i.e containing high concentrations of nitrogen oxides), leads to an increase in ozone
concentrations. Lower terpenoids can react with unstable reactive gases and may act as precursors of photochemical smog therefore indirectly influencing community and ecosystem properties.
Complex chlorinated terpenes such as toxaphene (a persistent, mobile and toxic insecticide) and its degradation products, were produced by photoinitiated reactions in an aqueous system, initially
containing limonene and other monoterpenes, simulating pulp bleach conditions
The reactions of ozone with larger unsaturated compounds, such as the terpenes can give rise to oxygenated species with low vapour pressures that subsequently condense to form secondary
organic aerosol.
Substances containing unsaturated carbons are ubiquitous in indoor environments. They result from many sources (see below). Most are reactive with environmental ozone and many produce
stable products which are thought to adversely affect human health.The potential for surfaces in an enclosed space to facilitate reactions should be considered.
Source of unsaturated substances Unsaturated substances (Reactive Emissions) Major Stable Products produced following reaction with ozone.
Occupants (exhaled breath, ski oils,
personal care products)
Isoprene, nitric oxide, squalene, unsaturated sterols, oleic
acid and other unsaturated fatty acids, unsaturated oxidation
products
Methacrolein, methyl vinyl ketone, nitrogen dioxide, acetone, 6MHQ, geranyl acetone, 4OPA,
formaldehyde, nonanol, decanal, 9-oxo-nonanoic acid, azelaic acid, nonanoic acid.
Soft woods, wood flooring, including
cypress, cedar and silver fir boards,
houseplants
Isoprene, limonene, alpha-pinene, other terpenes and
sesquiterpenes
Formaldehyde, 4-AMC, pinoaldehyde, pinic acid, pinonic acid, formic acid, methacrolein, methyl
vinyl ketone, SOAs including ultrafine particles
Carpets and carpet backing
4-Phenylcyclohexene, 4-vinylcyclohexene, styrene,
2-ethylhexyl acrylate, unsaturated fatty acids and esters
Formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, benzaldehyde, hexanal, nonanal, 2-nonenal
Linoleum and paints/polishes
containing linseed oil
Linoleic acid, linolenic acid
Propanal, hexanal, nonanal, 2-heptenal, 2-nonenal, 2-decenal, 1-pentene-3-one, propionic acid,
n-butyric acid
Latex paint Residual monomers Formaldehyde
Certain cleaning products, polishes,
waxes, air fresheners
Limonene, alpha-pinene, terpinolene, alpha-terpineol,
linalool, linalyl acetate and other terpenoids, longifolene and
other sesquiterpenes
Formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, glycoaldehyde, formic acid, acetic acid, hydrogen and organic
peroxides, acetone, benzaldehyde, 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-5-hexen-1-al, 5-ethenyl-dihydro-5-methyl-
2(3H)-furanone, 4-AMC, SOAs including ultrafine particles
Natural rubber adhesive Isoprene, terpenes Formaldehyde, methacrolein, methyl vinyl ketone
Photocopier toner, printed paper,
styrene polymers
Styrene Formaldehyde, benzaldehyde
Environmental tobacco smoke Styrene, acrolein, nicotine Formaldehyde, benzaldehyde, hexanal, glyoxal, N-methylformamide, nicotinaldehyde, cotinine
Soiled clothing, fabrics, bedding
Squalene, unsaturated sterols, oleic acid and other
saturated fatty acids
Acetone, geranyl acetone, 6MHO, 40PA, formaldehyde, nonanal, decanal, 9-oxo-nonanoic acid,
azelaic acid, nonanoic acid
Soiled particle filters
Unsaturated fatty acids from plant waxes, leaf litter, and
other vegetative debris; soot; diesel particles
Formaldehyde, nonanal, and other aldehydes; azelaic acid; nonanoic acid; 9-oxo-nonanoic acid
and other oxo-acids; compounds with mixed functional groups (=O, -OH, and -COOH)
Ventilation ducts and duct liners
Unsaturated fatty acids and esters, unsaturated oils,
neoprene
C5 to C10 aldehydes
"Urban grime" Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons Oxidized polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Perfumes, colognes, essential oils
(e.g. lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree)
Limonene, alpha-pinene, linalool, linalyl acetate,
terpinene-4-ol, gamma-terpinene
Formaldehyde, 4-AMC, acetone, 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-5-hexen-1-al, 5-ethenyl-dihydro-
5-methyl-2(3H) furanone, SOAs including ultrafine particles
Overall home emissions Limonene, alpha-pinene, styrene
Formaldehyde, 4-AMC, pinonaldehyde, acetone, pinic acid, pinonic acid, formic acid,
benzaldehyde, SOAs including ultrafine particles
Abbreviations: 4-AMC, 4-acetyl-1-methylcyclohexene; 6MHQ, 6-methyl-5-heptene-2-one, 4OPA, 4-oxopentanal, SOA, Secondary Organic Aerosols
Reference: Charles J Weschler; Environmental Helath Perspectives, Vol 114, October 2006
For alkenes (olefins)
Environmental fate:
Ecotoxicity studies conducted with a wide range of products have shown little potential for toxicity to aquatic organisms under expected conditions of use or in the event of an accidental release. Not
all alpha olefins are readily biodegradable; however, they will ultimately biodegrade. While the octanol/water partition coefficients of alpha olefins suggest a potential for bioaccumulation of these
materials in aquatic organisms, the volatility of these materials (especially for the liquid alpha olefins) and the low-water solubility (indicative of limited bioavailability), would indicate that
bioaccumulation will not occur. Under most environmental scenarios, extensive evaporation and subsequent degradation in the atmosphere would preclude bioaccumulation. Therefore, alpha
olefins are not expected to be toxic to aquatic organisms, will biodegrade, and will not bioaccumulate
The potential for exposure of aquatic organisms to members of the higher olefins will be influenced by their physico-chemical properties. The predicted or measured water solubilities of these