A single degradation study found benzoquinone to be rapidly degraded in a chernozem soil to stable metabolites. Sufficient data are not available to predict the significance of biodegradation in either soil or water. If released to the aquatic environment, it may be degraded by photolysis as it absorbs UV radiation. In water, benzoquinone is not expected to volatilize, adsorb to particulate matter or sediment or bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms. Particulate associated benzoquinone released to the atmosphere may be susceptible to physical removal via dry deposition or wash-out.
Inhalation appears to be the most significant route of human exposure.
Based on its log Kow value, benzoquinone is expected to have high mobility in soil predicting that leaching into groundwater is possible. Benzoquinone on soil surfaces may be susceptible to volatilization and photodegradation. Sufficient data are not available to predict the significance of biodegradation. Benzoquinone released to the aquatic environment is not expected to significantly volatilize adsorb to soils or sediments, or bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms. Since it absorbs UV radiation in environmentally significant wavelengths, direct photolysis is possible.