Applicability of Analytical Tools, Test Methods and Models for Polymer Risk Assessment

The review has a focus on identifying those tools, methods and models that are suitable for the assessment of specific types of polymer products and on identifying potential restrictions in the applicability domain or other technical limitations impairing the applicability of specific tools, methods and models for the assessment of specific types of polymer products. [...] In the latter cases, the accuracy of the content determination is dependent on the quality of the assumptions or the completeness of impurity quantification, respectively. [...] The resulting aqueous concentrations of the components depend on the physical state of the mixture (liquid versus solid) and the nature of their molecular interactions in the mixture and in water. [...] Although the guidance permits use of low-speed centrifugation and filtration to remove suspended material from the aqueous phase, the formation of stable emulsions is not considered to invalidate use of the method, as this is considered to be part of the water-available fraction in the aquatic environment under the New 18 ECETOC TR No. [...] In the context of polymer risk assessment, the relevance of determining the Kow will depend on the nature of the polymeric substance or polymer product of interest and the assessment objectives.