This study correlated the 20‐d Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) test widely used in the United States with the closed‐bottle test selected and refined by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) for determining biodegradability of a product. Many chemical producers in the United States have 20‐d BOD data on their products; it is important to use this information when valid both in the interim until OECD tests can be completed on these myriad products and in support of the OECD data when available. This paper presents comparative biooxidation data on 16 chemicals using both sealed‐bottle tests. Similar data were obtained at the end of each test, after 20 d in the BOD test and 28 d in the closed‐bottle test. The reduced microbial seed concentration in the closed‐bottle test required longer incubation time to achieve these similar results. The best correlations were obtained at days 10 and 15, and the poorest was indicated at day 5. The environmental classification specified by the European Community is the same for these chemicals, >60% biooxidation for readily biodegradable classification or not, regardless of the biooxidation test. OECD biodegradation screening test data are included in this report; results from this test, which monitors dissolved organic carbon (DOC), support the biooxidation values obtained in both the OECD closed‐bottle test and the 20‐d BOD test.
A wide range of nonionic surfactants was studied in an extensive inter-laboratory biodegradability testing program carried out by member companies of The Soap and Detergent Association over a three year period. The objectives were to determine the biodegradability of a variety of nonionie surfactants, and to develop a reliable laboratory scale test method which could be used to evaluate the biodegradability of new candidate materials. The results of this research and testing confirm that the primary and secondary alcohol ethoxylates, the alkyl alkanolamides, and the alkyl amine oxides are all highly biodegradable. These materials represent the important classes of nonionics used in household and institutional synthetic detergents. The removal of these materials under conditions of normal secondary wastewater treatment can be anticipated. The diversity of structures represented in the complete nonionic surfaetant spectrum, and the problems of residue analysis imposed serious obstacles in the development of a single standard laboratory procedure which will correlate well with the limited field data presently available. The objective of establishing a standard test for all nonionics was not achieved. Residues of nonionic surfactants from household and institutional synthetic detergents do not appear to contribute to esthetic water pollution or to interfere with waste treatment processes. A variety of biodegradability assessment procedures, applicable to specific nonionics or nonionic groups are currently available and should assure that their residues will not adversely affect the quality of receiving waters. The Subcommittee plans to maintain a program for continued research in nonionic biodegradability testing.
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