epsilon-CAPROLACTONE

Fresh air, rest.

Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower.

Rinse with plenty of water (remove contact lenses if easily possible). Refer for medical attention.

Rinse mouth.

13 [mg/m3]

140 [mg/m3]

850 [mg/m3]

TERRESTRIAL FATE: There are no biodegradation studies in soil to indicate whether biodegradation of caprolactone may be significant. An estimated Koc value of 109.1(1) suggests high mobility in soil(2,SRC).

AQUATIC FATE: Volatilization half-lives for caprolactone of 0.35 and 3.9 days have been estimated for a model river (one meter deep) and a model environmental pond, respectively(1-2). An estimated Koc of 109.1 and BCF of 4.94 for caprolactone indicate that adsorption to sediment and bioconcentration in aquatic organisms are not important fate processes(1). No information on biodegradation of caprolactone was available(SRC).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: Based on a measured vapor pressure of 1.35X10-1 mm Hg at 25 °C(1), caprolactone can be expected to exist almost entirely in the vapor-phase in the ambient atmosphere(SRC). Vapor-phase caprolactone is degraded slowly in the ambient atmosphere by reaction with photochemically formed hydroxyl radicals; the half-life for this reaction in air can be estimated to be about 2.76 days(2,SRC).

The efficacy, safety and patient acceptance of a subcutaneous implant of levonorgestrel contained in a biodegradable capsule of poly (E-caprolactone) wax are reported in 48 women, aged 18-40 yr, 32 of whom were given an implant containing a 21.6 mg dose of levonorgestrel, and 16 were initially given an implant containing 12 mg of levonorgestrel; patients were followed up for one yr. Ovulation occurred in all cycles in patients given the 12 mg dose, and in 26.3% of cycles in the group given 21.6 mg. Levonorgestrel blood levels were significantly lower in those given 12 mg. All patients initially given 12 mg were given a second implant of the same dose. Bleeding patterns were regular in most women who ovulated and irregular in most remaining subjects. It was assumed that changes in cervical mucus and the endometrium contributed to effective contraception despite the frequency of ovulation.

Based on a calculated log Kow of 1.215(1), the BCF for caprolactone can be estimated to be 4.94 using a recommended regression derived equation(2,SRC). This BCF value indicates that bioconcentration of caprolactone in aquatic organisms is not significant(SRC).

The Henry's Law constant for caprolactone can be estimated to be 1.809X10-4 atm-cu m/mole at 25 °C(1,SRC). Using this value of Henry's Law constant, one estimates that the volatilization half-life of caprolactone from a model river 1 m deep flowing 1 m/sec with a wind velocity of 3 m/sec has been estimated to be approximately 0.35 days(2,SRC). The volatilization half-life of caprolactone from a model environmental pond can be estimated to be approximately 3.9 days(3,SRC).

THE MUTAGENIC ACTIVITES OF 79 CARCINOGENS, NONCARCINOGENS, & STRUCTURALLY RELATED CMPD TOWARD SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM & SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE D3 STRAINS WERE INVESTIGATED IN THE IP HOST-MEDIATED ASSAY. EPSILON-CAPROLACTONE WAS NOT MUTAGENIC TOWARD SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM STRAINS TA1530 OR TA1535 IN THE HOST-MEDIATED ASSAY, AND DID NOT INCREASE MITOTIC RECOMBINATION IN SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE D3.

OF 13 DIRECT-ACTING ALKYLATING AGENTS, ONLY ONE NONCARCINOGEN, EPSILON-CAPROLACTONE, WAS TESTED IN THE SYRIAN HAMSTER EMBRYO CELL TRANSFORMATION SYSTEM, & IT YIELDED NEGATIVE RESULTS IN BOTH IN VITRO SYSTEMS.

The rate constant for the vapor-phase reaction of caprolactone with photochemically produced hydroxyl radicals has been estimated to be 5.81X10-12 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(1) which corresponds to an atmospheric half-life of about 2.76 days at an atmospheric concentration of 5X10+5 hydroxyl radicals per cu cm(1,SRC).

Caprolactone may be released to the environment during its use as an intermediate in the manufacture of caprolactam, adhesives, urethane coatings and elastomers, solvents, synthetic fibers, as a diluent for epoxy resins, during organic synthesis, and as a reaction product of peracetic acid and cyclohexanone. If released to the atmosphere, caprolactone is degraded slowly by reaction with photochemically produced hydroxyl radicals (estimated half-life of 2.76 days in air). A calculated Koc value of 109.1 suggests a high mobility of caprolactone in soil. A calculated BCF of 4.94 for caprolactone indicates that its bioconcentration in aquatic organisms should not be important. Based on a calculated Henry's Law constant of 1.809X10-4 atm cu-m/mole at 25 °C, and half-lives of 3.9 and 0.35 days from a model environmental pond and a model river, respectively, caprolactone is expected to volatilize rapidly from water. In occupational settings, exposure to caprolactone may occur through inhalation of vapors and through eye and skin contact. (SRC)