Ecotoxicity and biodegradation of phthalate monoesters

Little is known about the fate and the effects of phthalic acid monoesters. Various of these monoesters ranging from n-butyl to isononyl monoester have been evaluated in respect to their biodegradation behaviour and their acute aquatic toxicity. All esters are readily biodegradable, achieving degradation rates of 90% and more. The acute toxicity values strongly depend on the carbon chain length of the alcohol moiety. The short chain specimen have LC/EC50 around and above 100 mg/l, with values levelling off to around 30 mg/l for the isononyl monoester.