Abstract
The selection of a suitable test for assessing primary biodegradability is straightforward if the surfactant is sufficiently soluble. The OECD Screening test (Ch. 3: 3.3.1) is first applied and if the percentage removal is more than 80% no further testing is required (Table 4.1). Surfactants which are degraded by less than 80% are then subjected to the Confirmatory test (activated sludge) procedure (Ch. 3: 3.3.2) and the value of percentage removal obtained is taken as that which would occur in the environment. (USA practice is different, see Section 4.3.3) In the EC a surfactant not reaching >90% in the Confirmatory test may not be marketed (Table 4.1).
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Painter, H.A. (1995). Testing strategy and legal requirements. In: Karsa, D.R., Porter, M.R. (eds) Biodegradability of Surfactants. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-1348-9_4
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