Cryotech E36® Environmental Impact

Deicing Products > Commercial > Cryotech E36 ®

Environmental Impact

Tests with E36 show it readily biodegrades at low temperatures and has a low oxygen demand (BOD) when compared to glycol-based deicers. Toxicity tests rate E36 "relatively harmless" to aquatic life, the most favorable classification used by the environmental community. And the fluid contains neither ammonia nor nitrogen. Therefore, E36 is considered much safer for the environment than either glycol or urea.

As suggested by the FAA, the following general summary of environmental and hazard information is provided. Additional detail is available in the MSDS. Complete test report documentation is available upon request from Cryotech.

Biodegradability

The chemical oxygen demand (COD) of E36 was determined using EPA Method 410.1

COD (TOD) = 0.30 gm O2/gm

The biological oxygen demand (BOD) of E36 was determined using the EPA approved dilution method (Hach).

BOD20 @ 20 deg C = 0.30 gm O2/gm
BOD5 @ 20 deg C = 0.25 kg O2/kg

Aquatic Toxicity

Current EPA methods were used for measuring the acute and chronic toxicity of E36. According to the US Fish and Wildlife scale, material with an LC50 greater than 1000 mg/L is "relatively harmless", which is the least toxic material classification.

Fathead minnow 7-day chronic.....LC50 > 1500 mg/L
Rainbow trout 96-hour acute.....LC50 > 2100 mg/L
Daphnia magna 48-hour acute.....LC50 > 3000 mg/L

Toxicity of Acetate-Based Deicers in Marine (Saltwater) Environments

Toxicity of deicers to marine organisms can be important to know when deicing applications are located where run-off can flow into saltwater environments. Cryotech acetate-based solid and liquid deicers are all considered basically non-toxic in this type of receiving water.

E36 Acute Toxicity Testing Results
Cryotech potassium acetate runway deicer

48-hr LC50, minnows: 6,300 mg/L
48-hr LC50, mysid: 1,400 mg/L

The EPA recognizes a chemical as "basically non-toxic" when acute toxicity results are above 1000 mg/L.

Current EPA methods were used for measuring acute toxicity of E36 to marine organisms.

Chronic Toxicity Testing
It is generally agreed by state agencies that acetate-based deicers are readily biodegradable and dissipate rapidly. The chance of chronic long-term exposure is therefore greatly reduced. Given that and the fact that Cryotech acetate-based deicers are basically non-toxic, chronic toxicity testing has not been required.

Hazard Information

Hazardous Waste & Shipping
E36 is not a listed hazardous waste. The RCRA regulations define hazardous waste in two ways: a listed hazardous waste or a characteristic hazardous waste. A waste may be considered hazardous if it exhibits any one of four characteristics - corrosivity, toxicity, ignitability, or reactivity. A waste is corrosive under RCRA if it has a pH less than or equal to 2.0 or greater than or equal to 12.5. E36 is not RCRA corrosive, toxic, ignitable or reactive; therefore, it is not a characteristic hazardous waste.
No Hazardous Components
E36 contains no hazardous components as described by SARA Title III, Section 302. Nor is E36 designated as a hazardous chemical by the U.S. Department of Transportation. E36 does not contain nitrates.
Spill Handling Procedures
E36 is not expected to present environmental problems. If product should spill, it should be absorbed and the resulting waste disposed of in a sanitary landfill unless state or local regulations prohibit such disposal.
Container and Product Disposal
Based on information available to Cryotech Deicing Technology, E36 is neither listed as a hazardous waste, nor does it exhibit any of the characteristics that would cause it to be classified or disposed of as a RCRA hazardous waste. Empty containers and product unsuitable for normal deicing operations may be disposed of in a sanitary landfill unless state or local regulations prohibit such disposal.