A Review of the Environmental Degradation, Ecotoxicity, and Bioaccumulation Potential of the Low Molecular Weight Polyether Polyol Substances

Rev Environ Contam Toxicol. 2018:244:53-111. doi: 10.1007/398_2017_2.

Abstract

"Polyalkylene glycol" is the name given to a broad class of synthetic organic chemicals which are produced by polymerization of one or more alkylene oxide (epoxide) monomers, such as ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO), with various initiator substances which possess amine or alcohol groups. A generalization of this polymerization reaction is illustrated in Fig. 1.

Keywords: Adsorption; Aquatic toxicity; Basic non-polar narcosis; Basic polar narcosis; Bioaccumulation; Biodegradation; Environmental behavior; Environmental distribution; Environmental modeling; Environmental risk assessment; Glycols; Mode of action; Persistency; Photodegradation; Physical properties; Polyether polyol; Polyetherol; Polyetherol amine; Polyethylene glycol; Polypropylene glycol; Polyurethane.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Ampholyte Mixtures / chemistry*
  • Ampholyte Mixtures / pharmacokinetics
  • Ampholyte Mixtures / toxicity*
  • Animals
  • Environmental Pollutants / chemistry*
  • Environmental Pollutants / pharmacokinetics
  • Environmental Pollutants / toxicity*
  • Humans
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Polymers / pharmacokinetics
  • Polymers / toxicity*

Substances

  • Ampholyte Mixtures
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Polymers