Silicones, the active ingredients in Aquatain AMF, are manufactured from very pure quartz sand (also called silicate).

When they eventually break down, silicones degrade back to harmless silicates.

Many studies have been undertaken on silicones by reputable international bodies, and none of the studies has identified any human or environmental concerns associated with the use of the product.

Specifically, studies have concluded that silicones show no adverse effects on aquatic, soil and sediment dwelling organisms – even at concentrations well above those actually found in the environment. 

Silicones have characteristics which prevent them from bioaccumulating: their high molecular weight (>10,000) prevents them from passing through biological membranes.

Because of their inert nature, silicones are listed as a polymer of low concern by the Australian authorities

Silicones are also highly permeable to gases. This is a beneficial feature in a product such as Aquatain AMF, because the presence of the film does not prevent the water from being oxygenated.

Several reports have examined the effect of Aquatain AMF on non-target species, and no significant impacts have been observed.