Decanoic acid, mixed diesters with octanoic acid and triethylene glycol

Short-term toxicity to fish

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to fish

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

July 12, 1995 to March 26, 1996

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 203 (Fish, Acute Toxicity Test)

Version / remarks:

Adapted June 1, 1981

Deviations:

yes

Remarks:

Dissolved oxygen concentrations fell slightly below 6 0% saturation at 48 hours, loading rate was 0.7 g/L rather than <0.5 g/L. These deviations did not affect the outcome of the test and no other deviations were made from the study protocol.

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

EPA OTS 797.1400 (Fish Acute Toxicity Test)

Version / remarks:

U.S. EPA 1993

Deviations:

yes

Remarks:

As previously noted

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other: ASTM

Version / remarks:

ASTM 1996. Standard Practice for Conducting Acute Toxicity Tests with Fishes, Macroinvertebrates, and Amphibians. E-729-80. In Annual Book of Standards.

Deviations:

yes

Remarks:

As noted previously

GLP compliance:

yes (incl. QA statement)

Specific details on test material used for the study:

The test substance (T.R. Wilbury Laboratories sample number 510) used for the toxicity test was delivered on June 27, 1995. It was contained in a 300 ml glass bottle that was shipped at ambient temperature. The label attached to the container included the following information: "Prod 414, Batch# 024910, Date: 7-19-95, Time: 8:30 am, Remarks: Drum Sample, See MSDS for more info."

The test substance was a thin, yellow liquid.

Analytical monitoring:

no

Remarks:

Water accomodated fractions (WAF) used

Vehicle:

no

Details on test solutions:

Three 1,000 mg/L WAFs were prepared at the beginning of the test by combining the appropriate amount of test substance and dilution water in a mixing vessel equipped with a magnetic stirrer . The mixture was stirred for 24 hours and the three mixtures were allowed to settle for approximately 1 hour. Following the settling period the water phase containing the WAF was removed from each mixing vessel with a siphon and the three WAFs were combined.

Test organisms (species):

Oncorhynchus mykiss (previous name: Salmo gairdneri)

Details on test organisms:

Juvenile rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, employed as test organisms were from a single source and were identified using an appropriate taxonomic key. They were procured from Mount Lassen Trout Farm, Red Bluff, California on January 17, 1996. Prior to testing the fish were maintained under flow through conditions in a 270 liter fiberglass tank. During the 14 day period before the start of the test the acclimation temperature range was 11.0 to 13.0°c and the dissolved oxygen concentration was always at least 9.0 mg/L. During acclimation fish were fed a dry commercial food (Tetra Min® Staple Food, Lot # TM06) daily except during the 48 hours immediately preceding the test. Fish were not fed during the test.

During acclimation fish were not treated for disease and they were free of apparent sickness, injuries , and abnormalities at the beginning of the test. Mortality during the final 48 hours of acclimation was less than 3%. At the conclusion of the test the control fish had an average total length of 5.1 cm (range = 4.7 to 5.9 cm) and an average wet weight of 1.1 g (loading rate was approximately 0.7 g/L).

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

96 h

Post exposure observation period:

N/A

Hardness:

Water used for acclimation of test organisms and for all toxicity testing was deionized water collected at Marblehead, Massachusetts. Water was adjusted to a hardness of 40 to 48 mg/L as CaC03 and stored in 500-gallon polyethylene tanks where it was aerated and continuously passed through a particle filter, ultraviolet sterilizer , and activated carbon. Water used for the definitive test had a hardness of 40 mg/L and an alkalinity of 32 mg/L as CaC03.

Test temperature:

The test was conducted under static conditions at a target temperature of 12 ± 1°C.

pH:

6.6 to 7.1 during the definitive test

Dissolved oxygen:

6.1 to 10.4 during the definitive test

Salinity:

N/A

Conductivity:

130 to 200 umoles/cm during the definitive test

Nominal and measured concentrations:

All concenttrations nominal WAF: 0, 130, 220, 360, 600 and 1000 mg/L.

Details on test conditions:

The test was performed in 20 liter glass aquaria that contained 15 liters of test solution (water depth was approximately 18 cm) . Appropriate amounts of the WAF were added dirctly to dilution water in test vessels without the use of a solvent. Test vessels were loosely covered during the test. Ten fish were indiscriminately distributed to each of 2 replicates of the control and each WAF concentration (130, 220, 360, 600, and 1, 000 mg/L).

Test vessels were randomly arranged in a water bath during the test (a random numbers table was used to select the location of each vessel). A 16 hour light and 8 hour dark photoperiod was automatically maintained with cool-white fluorescent lights that provided a light intensity of 5 uEin/m2-sec. A 15 minute transition period was provided between dark and light . Aeration was initiated at 48 hours because dissolved oxygen concentrations fell below 60% saturation. The number of surviving organisms and the presence of sublethal effects was determined visually and recorded initially and after, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours and mortality was observed twice a day. Dissolved oxygen concentration (instrument number 18), pH (instrument numbers pHT3 and 143), conductivity (meter number 3) temperature (instrument numbers pHT3 and 143) were measured in each test vessel initially and at 24 hour intervals. The temperature was continuously measured in one control vessel throughout the test.

The number of surviving organisms and the presence of sublethal effects was determined visually and recorded initially and after , 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours and mortality was observed twice a day. Dissolved oxygen concentration (instrument number 18), pH (instrument numbers pHT3 and 143), conductivity (meter number 3) temperature (instrument numbers pHT3 and 143) were measured in each test vessel initially and at 24 hour intervals. The temperature was continuously measured in one control vessel throughout the test.

Reference substance (positive control):

no

Key result

Duration:

24 h

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect conc.:

450 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Remarks on result:

other: 95% confidence interval (mg/L): 360-600

Key result

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect conc.:

430 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Remarks on result:

other: 95% confidence interval (mg/L): 360-600

Key result

Duration:

72 h

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect conc.:

430 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Remarks on result:

other: 95% confidence interval (mg/L): 360-600

Key result

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect conc.:

430 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Remarks on result:

other: 95% confidence interval (mg/L): 360-600

Details on results:

The solutions in the test vessels containing the 1,000 mg/L WAF were cloudy at the start of the test and insoluble material was noted on the surface of all non-control vessels from 24 hours to the end of the test. No other insoluble material was noted in test vessels containing the test substance. Ninety-five percent survival occurred in the control and no control sublethal effects were noted during the test .

The dissolved oxygen concentration during the definitive test ranged from 6.1 to 10.4 mg/L (mean = 9.0 mg/L), the conductivity ranged from 130 to 200 pmhos/cm (mean = 150 pmhos/cm), the temperature ranged from 11.5 to 12.8°C (mean = 12.0°C), and the pH ranged from 6.6 to 7.1. Results of the exposure of rainbow trout to the WAF of the test substance are presented in the table.

Results with reference substance (positive control):

N/A

Reported statistics and error estimates:

Statistical analysis of the survival data was performed using computer methods of Stephan (1983) and nominal concentrations of WAF. The binomial/nonlinear interpolation method was used to calculate the LC50 values and 95% confidence intervals. The NOEC is the highest concentration that allowed at least 90% survival and did not cause sublethal effects.

Stephan, C.E. 1983. Computer methods for the calculation of LC50 values. Personal communication.

Sublethal observations / clinical signs:

Survival and sublethal effects of the test material on rainbow trout

Nominal Conc. of the WAF	Rep	Number of Survivors					Number Affected
(mg/L)		0 hr	24 hr	48 hr	72 hr	96 hr	0 hr	24 hr	48 hr	72 hr	96 hr
0 (control)	1	10	10	10	10	10	0	0	0	0	0
	2	10	10	10	9	9	0	0	0	0	0
130	1	10	10	10	10	10	0	0	0	0	0
	2	10	10	10	9	9	0	0	0	0	0
220	1	10	10	10	9	9	0	0	0	0	0
	2	10	10	10	8	8	0	0	0	0	0
360	1	10	10	10	10	10	0	10	10	7	2
	2	10	9	7	7	7	0	9	7	4	0
600	1	10	0	0	0	0	1	--	--	--	--
	2	10	0	0	0	0	0	--	--	--	--
1000	1	10	0	0	0	0	10	--	--	--	--
	2	10	0	0	0	0	10	--	--	--	--

 

Note: At 0 hr the affected fish exhibited a loss of equilibrium. At 24 and 48 hr affected fish were discolored and exhibited a loss of equilibrium. At 72 and 96 hr affected fish were discolored.

Validity criteria fulfilled:

not specified

Conclusions:

The 96-hour median lethal concentration (LC50) of the test substance was 430 mg/L (95% conf. int. of 360 to 600 mg/L).

Executive summary:

The acute toxicity of the water accommodated fraction (WAF) of the test substance to the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, was investigated during a study conducted at T.R. wilbury Laboratories, Inc.

The test, which was designed to determine the toxicity of the WAF of the test substance, was performed from March 4 to 8, 1996. The test was performed at 12 ± 1°C under static conditions with a control and the WAF of 5 nominal concentrations of test substance (130, 220, 360, 600, and 1,000 mg/L). The dilution water was carbon filtered deionized water collected at Marblehead, Massachusetts and adjusted to a hardness of 40 mg/L as CaC03. Juvenile rainbow trout used for the test were procured from a commercial supplier and acclimated to test conditions for more than 14 days prior to use in the test.

The WAFs were prepared by formulating a 1,000 mg/L solution of the test substance in dilution water and placing it in a mixing vessel equipped with a magnetic stirrer . The mixture was stirred for approximately 24 hours, settled for approximately 1 hour, and the water phase containing the WAF was siphoned off .

The solutions in the test vessels containing the 1,000 mg/L WAF were cloudy at the start of the test and insoluble material was observed floating on the surface of all non-control vessels from 24 hours to the end of the test. Water quality was within acceptable limits throughout the test.

Exposure of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, to test substance resulted in a 96 hour median lethal concentration (LC50) of 430 mg/L (95% confidence interval = 360 to 600 mg/L), expressed as the nominal amount of test substance used to prepare the WAF. The 96 hour no observed effect concentration (NOEC) is 130 mg/L of the test substance.

Description of key information

In a key study on the test substance, the acute toxicity of the water accommodated fraction (WAF) of the test substance to the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, was investigated. The 96-hour median lethal concentration (LC50) of the test substance was 430 mg/L (95% conf. int. of 360 to 600 mg/L).

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Fresh water fish

Fresh water fish

Effect concentration:

430 mg/L

Additional information

The test substance is a member of a category of aliphatic esters submitted by The American Chemistry Council's (ACC) Aliphatic Esters Panel (Panel) under the High Production Volume (HPV) Chemical Challenge Program (ACC, 2003). Information from a Screening Information Data Set (SIDS) developed in that program serves as supplementary or weight-of-evidence in the current dossier. Category ester compounds with similar structures and functionalities were of low acute toxicity to freshwater fish at or above the effective water solubility limits of the substances. The test material, 3,6,9-Trioxaundecamethylene bis(2-ethylhexanoate, CAS 70729 -68 -9), had a 96 -h LC50 of > 100 mg/L. 2,2'-Ethylenedioxydiethyl bis(2 -ethylhexanoate) (CAS 94 -28 -0) caused no mortality to Pimephales promelus in 96 h at the nomial test concentration of 97 mg/L. Ethane-1,2 -diylbis(oxyethane-2,1 -diyl) bisheptanoate (CAS 7434 -40 -4) had a 48 h LC50 value in excess of a nominal 1000 mg/L test concentration. Heptanoic acid, oxybis(2,1 -ethanediyloxy-2,1 -ethanediyl)ester (CAS 70729 -68 -9) had an estimated 48 -h LC50 of 720 mg/L in Golden orfe, at or above the aqueous solubiilty of the test substance. Heptanoic acid, ester with 2,2,4 -trimethyl-1,3 -pentanediol (CAS 71839 -38 -8) was not toxic to Oncorhynchus mykiss in a 96 -h test at a nominal 1000 mg/L.