Ingredient Safety Information

Phys-chem, Environmental Hazard, and Fate data

This document presents data that P&G scientists are using for environmental safety reassurance. This is not a compilation of all
the data that may be available.

Carboxymethyl Cellulose Ether

I. Chemical Identity

Carboxymethyl cellulose ether

Chemical Name
Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose ether

Chemical Structure of Monomer

Synonyms Several including:

CMC, NaCMC, EMC, ether modified carboxymethyl cellulose,
cellulose gum, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose

Uses CMC is a modified cellulose polymer. These polymers are used

as anti-abrasion and dispersive additives (referred to as liquid
fiber or liquifiber) in granular detergents. Other uses include
emulsifying, thickening and viscosity control agents in personal
care, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications.

Additional Information Cellulose is a main component of many plants and is found in

high concentration in cotton and wood. The addition of a
carboxymethyl group increases the solubility of cellulose in
water and the number of reacted hydroxyls in the glucose units
is called the degree of substitution (DS). The typical DS range
is 0.4 – 1.3. Carboxylation influences the mode of action of
cellulases enabling only endoglucanases to act on the CMC chain.
The degree of substitution governs the enzymatic reaction. In
general, the more substituted glucose units that are present,
the more resistant CMC is to enzymatic attack.

II. Physical and Chemical Properties

P&G Environmental Science data 1

 Ingredient Safety Information
Phys-chem, Environmental Hazard, and Fate data
This document presents data that P&G scientists are using for environmental safety reassurance. This is not a compilation of all
the data that may be available.

Value Reference
Description White powder. Odorless.
Molecular Weight 800-10,000 daltons Supplier information
Specific Gravity 1.59 Supplier information
Solubility Soluble in cold or hot water Merck Index, 1989
pH in 1% water solution 7-10 Supplier information
Log KOW * Not available *Predictions of most physical and
Log Kp* Not available chemical properties may be inaccurate
Melting Point * Not available due to the structural similarity of the
Boiling Point * Not available CMC monomer to glucose and the limited
Vapour Pressure * Not available validity of most QSAR estimations for
Henry’s constant * Not available polymers.

III. Environmental Effects

Aquatic toxicity to freshwater P&G study data
organisms
CMC is not toxic to aquatic organisms. Testing with several
aquatic species showed no toxicity at the highest concentration
tested. These data include:
Green algae, Selenastrum capricornutum, chronic toxicity,
NOEC >800 mg/L
Aquatic invertebrate, Daphnia magna , acute toxicity,
EC50 > 800 mg/L
Fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas, acute toxicity,
EC50 > 800 mg/L
Bioaccumulation potential
The potential for bioaccumulation for CMC is expected to be
low because of the polymeric structure and high molecular
weight.

IV. Environmental Fate

Biodegradability P&G study data
CMC is inherently biodegradable. The rate of biodegradation
for these polymers is medium to slow and varies with the degree
of substitution. In general, the rate and extent of degradation
increases with decreasing substitution.
Removal in wastewater
treatment plant
CMC is not sorptive and removal in wastewater treatment is
dependent on biodegradation.

P&G Environmental Science data 2

 Ingredient Safety Information
Phys-chem, Environmental Hazard, and Fate data
This document presents data that P&G scientists are using for environmental safety reassurance. This is not a compilation of all
the data that may be available.

V. Literature References

Chemical Economics Handbook. CEH Marketing Research Report – Cellulose Ethers. November
2001. Raymond will, Tadahisa Sasano

Biodegradation of Carboxymethyl Celluloses by Agrobacterium CM-1. Carbohydrate Polymers 27 (1985)

pages 137-143.

P&G Environmental Science data 3