Butane-1,4-diol

Toxicity to microorganisms

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Reference 1

Endpoint:

activated sludge respiration inhibition testing

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

comparable to guideline study with acceptable restrictions

Qualifier:

equivalent or similar to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 209 (Activated Sludge, Respiration Inhibition Test

GLP compliance:

no

Analytical monitoring:

no

Test organisms (species):

activated sludge, industrial

Details on inoculum:

- Laboratory culture: activated sludge from industrial waste water treatment plant
- Initial biomass concentration: approx. 1 g/L

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

yes

Total exposure duration:

30 min

Hardness:

not specified

Test temperature:

not specified

pH:

not specified

Dissolved oxygen:

not specified

Salinity:

not specified

Conductivity:

not specified

Nominal and measured concentrations:

not specified

Details on test conditions:

not specified

Reference substance (positive control):

not specified

Key result

Duration:

30 min

Dose descriptor:

other: EC20

Effect conc.:

> 788 mg/L

- No inhibition at 400 mg/l DOC, but promotion of respiration at 400 mg/L DOC: 108 %
- 2.590 mg/l DOC = 507.8 mg DOC/g TS: from this follows that EC20 > 788 mg/l.

Reference 2

Endpoint:

toxicity to microorganisms, other

Remarks:

Growth impairment test with the freshwater ciliate Tetrahymena pyriformis

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

study well documented, meets generally accepted scientific principles, acceptable for assessment

Qualifier:

no guideline followed

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Growth impairment of the freshwater ciliate Tetrahymena pyriformis according to methods described by Shultz, T.W. Toxicol. Methods 7: 289-309.

GLP compliance:

no

Analytical monitoring:

no

Vehicle:

not specified

Details on test solutions:

not specified

Test organisms (species):

Tetrahymena pyriformis

Details on inoculum:

not applicable

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

40 h

Post exposure observation period:

not specified

Hardness:

not specified

Test temperature:

not specified

pH:

not specified

Dissolved oxygen:

not specified

Salinity:

not specified

Conductivity:

not specified

Nominal and measured concentrations:

not specified

Details on test conditions:

The endpoint, population density, of this static 40-h assay was measured spectrophotometrically at 540 nm. Test conditions allow for 8-10 cell cycles in control cultures. The chemical was tested in a range finder prior to testing in duplicate for three additional replicates. Two controls, one without test chemical but inoculated with T. pyriformis, and the other, a blank with neither test substance nor ciliates, were used to provide a measure of the test acceptability. Each definitive test replicate consisted of six to eight different concentrations with duplicate of each concentration. Only replicates with control-absorbency values between 0.6 and 0.75 were used in the analyses. The 50 % growth inhibition concentration (IGC50) was determined by Probit Analysis (SAS software).

Key result

Duration:

40 h

Dose descriptor:

other: IGC50

Effect conc.:

15 536.6 - 15 786.28 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat. (total fraction)

Basis for effect:

growth inhibition

Original toxicity value of the narcotic 1,4-butanediol IGC50 (40 h) = 15786.28 mg/L (12218-20414 mg/L).

Re-tested toxicity value of the narcotic 1,4-butanediol: IGC50 (40 h) = 15536.6 mg/L (11661-20408 mg/L).

Description of key information

Impairment of Growth Concentration 50% (IGC50) is based on a test with tetrahymena pyriformis.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

EC50 for microorganisms:

15 500 mg/L

Additional information

The toxicity of 1,4 -Butanediol to microorganisms has been tested under non-GLP conditions according to several guideline methods that examine respiration inhibition and growth inhibition. In addition, a number of ready biodegradation and inherent biodegradation tests have been performed which provide insight into the degree of toxicity to microorganisms. For studies having a Klimisch score of at least 2, the data are as follows: No toxicity was observed at 430 mg/L as part of an OECD 302 B inherent biodegradibility test (BASF, 1977), an EC20 of >788 mg/L was reported from an OECD 209 activated sludge respiration inhibition test (LGU, 1990), and an IGC50 of 15536 mg/L was reported in a ciliated growth inhibition test with tetrahmena pyroformis (Seward, J.R. et.al., 2001). Given these results, it can be concluded that 1,4 -Butanediol exhibits low toxicity to microorganisms.