ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT No ecotoxicological data were submitted. Polymers without significant ionic functionality are generally of low concern to the environment. The notified polymer will be imported into Australia as a component of printing toner in sealed cartridges, or developer in plastic bottles, which will be distributed to commercial facilities for printing onto paper substrates. Spills or accidental leaks of the product containing the notified polymer are expected to be vacuum collected and disposed of to landfill. It is assumed that 50% of the printed paper will end up in landfill, and the rest will undergo paper recycling processes. During recycling processes, waster paper is repulped using a variety of chemical agents which, amongst other things, enhance detachment of inks from the fibres. Very little of the notified polymer is expected to partition to the supernatant water, due to its low solubility in water. Based on its high molecular weight and low water solubility, the notified polymer is not expected to cross biological membranes, and is therefore unlikely to bioaccumulate. All wastes, including container residues, accidental spill waste, and sludge waste from paper recycling, are expected to be disposed of to landfill or by incineration. Based on its high molecular weight and chemical structure, the notified polymer is not expected to be readily biodegradable. In landfill, the notified polymer is expected to eventually degrade by biotic and abiotic processes to form water and oxides of carbon. Therefore, based on its assumed low hazard and assessed use pattern, the notified polymer is not considered to pose an unreasonable risk to the environment.
ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT No ecotoxicological data were submitted. Polymers without significant ionic functionality are generally of low concern to the environment. The notified polymer will be imported into Australia as a component of printing toner in sealed cartridges, or developer in plastic bottles, which will be distributed to commercial facilities for printing onto paper substrates. Spills or accidental leaks of the product containing the notified polymer are expected to be vacuum collected and disposed of to landfill. It is assumed that 50% of the printed paper will end up in landfill, and the rest will undergo paper recycling processes. During recycling processes, waster paper is repulped using a variety of chemical agents which, amongst other things, enhance detachment of inks from the fibres. Very little of the notified polymer is expected to partition to the supernatant water, due to its low solubility in water. Based on its high molecular weight and low water solubility, the notified polymer is not expected to cross biological membranes, and is therefore unlikely to bioaccumulate. All wastes, including container residues, accidental spill waste, and sludge waste from paper recycling, are expected to be disposed of to landfill or by incineration. Based on its high molecular weight and chemical structure, the notified polymer is not expected to be readily biodegradable. In landfill, the notified polymer is expected to eventually degrade by biotic and abiotic processes to form water and oxides of carbon. Therefore, based on its assumed low hazard and assessed use pattern, the notified polymer is not considered to pose an unreasonable risk to the environment.