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EC number: 205-426-2 | CAS number: 140-66-9
- Life Cycle description
- Uses advised against
- Endpoint summary
- Appearance / physical state / colour
- Melting point / freezing point
- Boiling point
- Density
- Particle size distribution (Granulometry)
- Vapour pressure
- Partition coefficient
- Water solubility
- Solubility in organic solvents / fat solubility
- Surface tension
- Flash point
- Auto flammability
- Flammability
- Explosiveness
- Oxidising properties
- Oxidation reduction potential
- Stability in organic solvents and identity of relevant degradation products
- Storage stability and reactivity towards container material
- Stability: thermal, sunlight, metals
- pH
- Dissociation constant
- Viscosity
- Additional physico-chemical information
- Additional physico-chemical properties of nanomaterials
- Nanomaterial agglomeration / aggregation
- Nanomaterial crystalline phase
- Nanomaterial crystallite and grain size
- Nanomaterial aspect ratio / shape
- Nanomaterial specific surface area
- Nanomaterial Zeta potential
- Nanomaterial surface chemistry
- Nanomaterial dustiness
- Nanomaterial porosity
- Nanomaterial pour density
- Nanomaterial photocatalytic activity
- Nanomaterial radical formation potential
- Nanomaterial catalytic activity
- Endpoint summary
- Stability
- Biodegradation
- Bioaccumulation
- Transport and distribution
- Environmental data
- Additional information on environmental fate and behaviour
- Ecotoxicological Summary
- Aquatic toxicity
- Endpoint summary
- Short-term toxicity to fish
- Long-term toxicity to fish
- Short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates
- Long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates
- Toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria
- Toxicity to aquatic plants other than algae
- Toxicity to microorganisms
- Endocrine disrupter testing in aquatic vertebrates – in vivo
- Toxicity to other aquatic organisms
- Sediment toxicity
- Terrestrial toxicity
- Biological effects monitoring
- Biotransformation and kinetics
- Additional ecotoxological information
- Toxicological Summary
- Toxicokinetics, metabolism and distribution
- Acute Toxicity
- Irritation / corrosion
- Sensitisation
- Repeated dose toxicity
- Genetic toxicity
- Carcinogenicity
- Toxicity to reproduction
- Specific investigations
- Exposure related observations in humans
- Toxic effects on livestock and pets
- Additional toxicological data
Toxicity to terrestrial plants
Administrative data
Link to relevant study record(s)
- Endpoint:
- toxicity to terrestrial plants, other
- Type of information:
- read-across from supporting substance (structural analogue or surrogate)
- Adequacy of study:
- weight of evidence
- Justification for type of information:
- In accordance with Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 Annex XI (1.5) and the relevant ECHA guidance documents, the substances detailed in the table below are grouped for the purposes of read across to reduce the need for unnecessary repeat testing on the basis that the substances are similar on the basis of a common functional groups.
- Reason / purpose for cross-reference:
- read-across source
- Reason / purpose for cross-reference:
- read-across source
- Reason / purpose for cross-reference:
- read-across source
- Reason / purpose for cross-reference:
- read-across source
- Species:
- Lolium perenne
- Duration:
- 15 d
- Dose descriptor:
- EC10
- Effect conc.:
- 738.9 mg/kg soil dw
- Nominal / measured:
- nominal
- Conc. based on:
- test mat.
- Basis for effect:
- other: Fresh weight of seedling
- Remarks on result:
- other: (49.6, 11011.2)
- Species:
- Brassica rapa
- Duration:
- 15 d
- Dose descriptor:
- EC10
- Effect conc.:
- 574.8 mg/kg soil dw
- Nominal / measured:
- nominal
- Conc. based on:
- test mat.
- Basis for effect:
- other: Fresh weight of seedling
- Remarks on result:
- other: (279.9, 1180.4)
- Species:
- Lactuca sativa
- Duration:
- 14 d
- Dose descriptor:
- EC50
- Effect conc.:
- 625 mg/kg soil dw
- Nominal / measured:
- nominal
- Conc. based on:
- test mat.
- Basis for effect:
- growth
- Species:
- Lactuca sativa
- Duration:
- 7 d
- Dose descriptor:
- EC50
- Effect conc.:
- 559 mg/kg soil dw
- Nominal / measured:
- nominal
- Conc. based on:
- test mat.
- Basis for effect:
- growth
- Conclusions:
- The read across for 4-tert-octylphenol (CAS: 140-66-9); is based upon the analogous substances to which basic form, degree of substitution of functional groups is not considered to effect the proposed read across for the endpoint of Toxicity to terrestrial plants. Based on the information available for the read across substances, the substance is expected to be toxic to terrestrial plants.
- Endpoint:
- toxicity to terrestrial plants: long-term
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- supporting study
- Study period:
- No data
- Reliability:
- 2 (reliable with restrictions)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- other: Guideline study with acceptable restrictions which do not impair the overall conclusion from the data.
- Reason / purpose for cross-reference:
- reference to same study
- Qualifier:
- according to guideline
- Guideline:
- OECD Guideline 208 (Terrestrial Plants Test: Seedling Emergence and Seedling Growth Test)
- Deviations:
- no
- GLP compliance:
- not specified
- Specific details on test material used for the study:
- Details on properties of test surrogate or analogue material (migrated information):
No Data - Analytical monitoring:
- yes
- Details on sampling:
- The concentrations of most compounds were analysed at the start of the tests to verify the added concentrations, and at the end of the test to detect any decrease in concentration due to degradation or volatilisation.
- Vehicle:
- not specified
- Details on preparation and application of test substrate:
- No Data
- Species:
- Lactuca sativa
- Plant group:
- Dicotyledonae (dicots)
- Details on test organisms:
- -Common Name: Lettuce
- Variety: Ravel R2 - Test type:
- early seedling growth toxicity test
- Study type:
- laboratory study
- Substrate type:
- natural soil
- Limit test:
- no
- Total exposure duration:
- 14 d
- Post exposure observation period:
- No Data
- Test temperature:
- 21 °C +/- 4 °C
- pH:
- 7.5
- Moisture:
- 25% to 30% moisture content
- Details on test conditions:
- TEST SYSTEM
- Duplicates: Duplicate vessels were used for the control and for at least 3 test concentrations
- Test volume per vessel: 0.25 L containing 400 g of soil
- No. of seeds per vessel: 10
TEST MEDIUM PARAMETERS
- Evaporation of water was compensated daily by adding demineralised water
- Water content and pH of soil were checked at the start and end of the test
- Storage Conditions: Plants were cultured in climatic chambers to maintain a test temperature of 21 °C
- Humidity: Varied between 40% and 80%
SOURCE AND PROPERTIES OF SUBSTRATE
- Geographic location: An orchard, although exact geographic location is not provided.
- Collection procedures: Two collections of soil were made although the characteristics of the soils differed between collections. Soils from the first collection agreed with the specification of OECD Guideline 208.
- Soil texture (if natural soil) of the first collection:
- % organic matter content: 1.4%
- % clay: 12%
- pH: 7.5
- Soil texture (if natural soil) of the second collection:
- % organic matter content: 1.8%
- % clay: 24%
- pH: 7.5
- Pretreatment of soil: Soils were 4-mm sieved before the start of the tests.
NUTRIENT MEDIUM (if used)
- Description: K2HPO4 had to be added to the second soil collection to achieve good plant growth. - Nominal and measured concentrations:
- Nominal concentrations in mg/kg dry soil were spaced by a factor of 3.2
- Reference substance (positive control):
- not specified
- Species:
- Lactuca sativa
- Duration:
- 14 d
- Dose descriptor:
- EC50
- Effect conc.:
- 625 mg/kg soil dw
- Nominal / measured:
- nominal
- Conc. based on:
- test mat.
- Basis for effect:
- growth
- Details on results:
- No Data
- Results with reference substance (positive control):
- No Data
- Reported statistics and error estimates:
- The concentration at which growth was 50% of the control (EC50) was calculated by applying a logistic model according to Haanstra (1985). Haanstra, Doelman L.P and Oude Voshaar J.H (1985) The use of sigmoidal dose response curves in soil ecotoxicological research, Plant Soil 82: 293-297.
- Validity criteria fulfilled:
- yes
- Conclusions:
- In general, the EC50 values in soil decreased rather than increased between days 7 and 14 of exposure. The authors also compared the soil and nutrient water exposures concluding that effect levels determined in nutrient solution cannot directly be related to soil concentrations.
- Executive summary:
In a 14-day chronic toxicity study, lettuce (Lactuca sativa) were exposed at control, and at least three test concentrations spaced by a factor of 3.2 in natural soil. The EC50based on plant growth was 625 mg nonylphenol/kg. Based on the results of this study, nonylphenol would be considered to have adverse effects on the growth of Lactuca sativa.
This study is classified as acceptable and is similar in methodology to the requirements of the OECD Guideline 208 (Terrestrial Plants Test: Seedling Emergence and Seedling Growth Test).
- Endpoint:
- toxicity to terrestrial plants: short-term
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- key study
- Study period:
- No data
- Reliability:
- 2 (reliable with restrictions)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- other: Guideline study with acceptable restrictions which do not impair the overall conclusion from the data. The study meets the requirements of the REACH Endpoint 9.4.3.
- Reason / purpose for cross-reference:
- reference to same study
- Qualifier:
- according to guideline
- Guideline:
- OECD Guideline 208 (Terrestrial Plants Test: Seedling Emergence and Seedling Growth Test)
- Deviations:
- no
- GLP compliance:
- not specified
- Specific details on test material used for the study:
- Details on properties of test surrogate or analogue material (migrated information):
No Data - Analytical monitoring:
- yes
- Details on sampling:
- The concentrations of most compounds tested were analysed at the start of the tests to verify the added concentrations, and at the end of the test to detect any decrease in concentration due to degradation or volatilisation.
- Vehicle:
- not specified
- Details on preparation and application of test substrate:
- No Data
- Species:
- Lactuca sativa
- Plant group:
- Dicotyledonae (dicots)
- Details on test organisms:
- -Common Name: Lettuce
- Variety: Ravel R2 - Test type:
- early seedling growth toxicity test
- Study type:
- laboratory study
- Substrate type:
- natural soil
- Limit test:
- no
- Total exposure duration:
- 7 d
- Post exposure observation period:
- No Data
- Test temperature:
- 21 °C +/- 4 °C
- pH:
- 7.5
- Moisture:
- 25% to 30% moisture content
- Details on test conditions:
- TEST SYSTEM
- Duplicates: Duplicate vessels were used for the control and for at least 3 test concentrations
- Test volume per vessel: 0.25 L containing 400 g of soil
- No. of seeds per vessel: 10
TEST MEDIUM PARAMETERS
- Evaporation of water was compensated daily by adding demineralised water
- Water content and pH of soil were checked at the start and end of the test
- Storage Conditions: Plants were cultured in climatic chambers to maintain a test temperature of 21 °C
- Humidity: Varied between 40% and 80%
SOURCE AND PROPERTIES OF SUBSTRATE
- Geographic location: An orchard, although exact geographic location is not provided.
- Collection procedures: Two collections of soil were made although the characteristics of the soils differed between collections. Soils from the first collection agreed with the specification of OECD Guideline 208.
- Soil texture (if natural soil) of the first collection:
- % organic matter content: 1.4%
- % clay: 12%
- pH: 7.5
- Soil texture (if natural soil) of the second collection:
- % organic matter content: 1.8%
- % clay: 24%
- pH: 7.5
- Pretreatment of soil: Soils were 4-mm sieved before the start of the tests.
NUTRIENT MEDIUM (if used)
- Description: K2HPO4 had to be added to the second soil collection to achieve good plant growth. - Nominal and measured concentrations:
- Nominal concentrations in mg/kg dry soil were spaced by a factor of 3.2
- Reference substance (positive control):
- not specified
- Species:
- Lactuca sativa
- Duration:
- 7 d
- Dose descriptor:
- EC50
- Effect conc.:
- 559 mg/kg soil dw
- Nominal / measured:
- nominal
- Conc. based on:
- test mat.
- Basis for effect:
- growth
- Details on results:
- - In soil, the analysed concentrations of the compounds, including nonylphenol, at t=0 were generally in agreement with the nominal concentrations, mostly 70 to 150%, although the lower values were considered to relate to the volatilisation of chlorobenzenes also tested in this study.
- Results with reference substance (positive control):
- No Data
- Reported statistics and error estimates:
- The concentration at which growth was 50% of the control (EC50) was calculated by applying a logistic model according to Haanstra (1985).
Haanstra, Doelman L.P and Oude Voshaar J.H (1985) The use of sigmoidal dose response curves in soil ecotoxicological research, Plant Soil 82: 293-297. - Validity criteria fulfilled:
- yes
- Conclusions:
- In general, the EC50 values in soil decreased rather than increased between days 7 and 14 of exposure. The authors also compared the soil exposures with nutrient water exposures concluding that effect levels determined in nutrient solution cannot directly be related to soil concentrations.
- Executive summary:
In a 7-day chronic toxicity study, lettuce (Lactuca sativa) were exposed at control, and at least three test concentrations spaced by a factor of 3.2 in natural soil. The EC50 based on plant growth was 559 mg nonylphenol/kg. Based on the results of this study, nonylphenol would be considered to have adverse effects on the growth of Lactuca sativa.
This study is classified as acceptable and is similar in methodology to the requirements of the OECD Guideline 208 (Terrestrial Plants Test: Seedling Emergence and Seedling Growth Test).
- Endpoint:
- toxicity to terrestrial plants: long-term
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- supporting study
- Study period:
- Spring 2008
- Reliability:
- 1 (reliable without restriction)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- other: This study is comparable to a guideline study.
- Reason / purpose for cross-reference:
- reference to same study
- Qualifier:
- according to guideline
- Guideline:
- OECD Guideline 208 (Terrestrial Plants Test: Seedling Emergence and Seedling Growth Test)
- Deviations:
- no
- Principles of method if other than guideline:
- Not relevant
- GLP compliance:
- not specified
- Specific details on test material used for the study:
- Details on properties of test surrogate or analogue material (migrated information):
No data - Analytical monitoring:
- no
- Details on sampling:
- - Concentrations: The test concentrations were selected following a preliminary assay consisting of 0, 1, 10, 100, 1000 and 10000 mg of nonylphenol per kg of soil. The range of concentrations showing an inhibition between 10% and 90% were selected for the main study.
- Vehicle:
- yes
- Details on preparation and application of test substrate:
- - Controls: Two control soils were prepared; one negative control and one solvent control to which the same volume of acetone was added as was used in the test substance concentrations.
- Chemical name of vehicle (solvent): Nonylphenol was applied to soils dissolved in acetone (95%, Panreac, Barcelona, Spain).
- Evaporation of vehicle before use: To prepare the concentrations of test substance, the amount of soil to be used for each concentration was moistened with a fixed volume of acetone solution containing the appropriate quantity of nonylphenol. Acetone was then left to evaporate for 24 hours in a fume hood. - Species:
- Lolium perenne
- Plant group:
- Monocotyledonae (monocots)
- Details on test organisms:
- - Common name: Ryegrass
- Test type:
- seedling emergence toxicity / vegetative vigour test
- Study type:
- laboratory study
- Substrate type:
- artificial soil
- Limit test:
- yes
- Total exposure duration:
- 15 d
- Remarks:
- Plants were incubated for 15 days following 50% of the plants having germinated in the controls.
- Post exposure observation period:
- No data
- Test temperature:
- 21 °C
- pH:
- 6.2 +/- 0.5 (as per OECD Artificial Soil) adjusted using calcium carbonate
- Moisture:
- - Water holding capacity: 44.8%
- Water content adjusted to 60% of maximum water holding capacity - Details on test conditions:
- TEST SYSTEM
- Testing facility: Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona
- Test container (type, material, size): Each replicate consisted of a 250-ml polyethylene cup
- Amount of soil: 100 g of soil (dry weight)
- Method: Seeds were planted at 0.5 cm depth
- No. of seeds per container: 10 seeds per replicate
- No. of plants (retained after thinning): 5 seedlings were retained per replicate
- No. of replicates per treatment group: 5 replicates per concentration were prepared
- No. of replicates per control: Five replicates per control
- No. of replicates per vehicle control: Five replicates per vehicle control
SOURCE AND PROPERTIES OF SUBSTRATE (if soil)
- Composition (if artificial substrate): OECD Artificial Soil
- Organic carbon (%): 3.45
- Maximum water holding capacity (in % dry weight): 44.8% adjusted to 60% WHC
- CEC: 8.94
GROWTH CONDITIONS
- Photoperiod: 16/8 hours (light/dark)
- Light source: Growth chamber at a constant 21 °C
- Relative humidity (%): 70% - Nominal and measured concentrations:
- Nominal concentrations: The test concentrations were selected following a preliminary assay consisting of 0, 1, 10, 100, 1000 and 10000 mg of nonylphenol per kg of soil. The range of concentrations showing an inhibition between 10% and 90% were selected for the study.
- Reference substance (positive control):
- no
- Species:
- Lolium perenne
- Duration:
- 15 d
- Dose descriptor:
- EC10
- Effect conc.:
- 738.9 mg/kg soil dw
- Nominal / measured:
- nominal
- Conc. based on:
- test mat.
- Basis for effect:
- other: Fresh weight of seedling
- Remarks on result:
- other: (49.6, 11011.2)
- Details on results:
- SEED GERMINATION
- Percent seed germination: 95.5% in the OECD soil controls
SEEDLING EMERGENCE
- Fresh weight of OECD controls: Mean of 219 mg with standard deviation of +/- 22 mg.
- Other effects: No signs of nutrient deficiency were observed.
No differences in the outcomes between controls with and without the addition of acetone were found in any of the assays. - Results with reference substance (positive control):
- No data
- Reported statistics and error estimates:
- EC10 and EC50 (with 95% confidence intervals) were derived using Statistica 6.0 (StatSoft Inc., Tulsa, OK, USA).
- Validity criteria fulfilled:
- yes
- Conclusions:
- The authors considered nonylphenol to be more toxic than the nonylphenol ethoxylates mixture and considered the results to be in agreement with existing published literature. Nonylphenol presented low phytotoxicity but moderate toxicity to invertebrates, reproduction being clearly the most sensitive endpoint. Nonylphenol generally affected the invertebrates reproduction at lower concentrations than those affecting growth or survival. Earthworms and collembolans were more sensitive taxa compared to enchytraids.
- Executive summary:
In a 15-day chronic toxicity study, monocotyledonous plants (Lolium perenne) were exposed to control, solvent control and nonylphenol at a range of concentrations showing inhibition between 10% and 90% from an initial range-finding test. The EC10 based on fresh weight of the emergent seedling was 738.9 mg nonylphenol/kg, using an artificial soil test medium. Based on the results of this study, nonylphenol is not considered to be phytotoxic at the EC50 level (4,011.6 mg/kg is greater than the 1 g/kg threshold of toxicity in the OECD protocol).
This study is classified as acceptable and is similar in methodology to the requirements of the OECD Guideline 208 (OECD, 2006).
- Endpoint:
- toxicity to terrestrial plants: long-term
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- key study
- Study period:
- Spring 2008
- Reliability:
- 1 (reliable without restriction)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- other: This study is comparable to a guideline study.
- Reason / purpose for cross-reference:
- reference to same study
- Qualifier:
- according to guideline
- Guideline:
- OECD Guideline 208 (Terrestrial Plants Test: Seedling Emergence and Seedling Growth Test)
- Deviations:
- no
- Principles of method if other than guideline:
- Not relevant
- GLP compliance:
- not specified
- Specific details on test material used for the study:
- Details on properties of test surrogate or analogue material (migrated information):
No data - Analytical monitoring:
- no
- Details on sampling:
- - Concentrations: The test concentrations were selected following a preliminary assay consisting of 0, 1, 10, 100, 1000 and 10000 mg of nonylphenol per kg of soil. The range of concentrations showing an inhibition between 10% and 90% were selected for the main study.
- Vehicle:
- yes
- Details on preparation and application of test substrate:
- - Controls: Two control soils were prepared; one negative control and one solvent control to which the same volume of acetone was added as was used in the test substance concentrations.
- Chemical name of vehicle (solvent): Nonylphenol was applied to soils dissolved in acetone (95%, Panreac, Barcelona, Spain).
- Evaporation of vehicle before use: To prepare the concentrations of test substance, the amount of soil to be used for each concentration was moistened with a fixed volume of acetone solution containing the appropriate quantity of nonylphenol. Acetone was then left to evaporate for 24 hours in a fume hood. - Species:
- Brassica rapa
- Plant group:
- Dicotyledonae (dicots)
- Details on test organisms:
- - Common name: Field mustard or turnip mustard
- Test type:
- seedling emergence toxicity / vegetative vigour test
- Study type:
- laboratory study
- Substrate type:
- artificial soil
- Limit test:
- yes
- Total exposure duration:
- 15 d
- Remarks:
- Plants were incubated for 15 days following 50% of the plants having germinated in the controls.
- Post exposure observation period:
- No data
- Test temperature:
- 21 °C
- pH:
- 6.2 +/- 0.5 (as per OECD Artificial Soil) adjusted using calcium carbonate
- Moisture:
- - Water holding capacity: 44.8%
- Water content adjusted to 60% of maximum water holding capacity - Details on test conditions:
- TEST SYSTEM
- Testing facility: Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona
- Test container (type, material, size): Each replicate consisted of a 250-ml polyethylene cup
- Amount of soil: 100 g of soil (dry weight)
- Method: Seeds were planted at 0.5 cm depth
- No. of seeds per container: 10 seeds per replicate
- No. of plants (retained after thinning): 5 seedlings were retained per replicate
- No. of replicates per treatment group: 5 replicates per concentration were prepared
- No. of replicates per control: Five replicates per control
- No. of replicates per vehicle control: Five replicates per vehicle control
SOURCE AND PROPERTIES OF SUBSTRATE (if soil)
- Composition (if artificial substrate): OECD Artificial Soil
- Organic carbon (%): 3.45
- Maximum water holding capacity (in % dry weight): 44.8% adjusted to 60% WHC
- CEC: 8.94
GROWTH CONDITIONS
- Photoperiod: 16/8 hours (light/dark)
- Light source: Growth chamber at a constant 21 °C
- Relative humidity (%): 70% - Nominal and measured concentrations:
- Nominal concentrations: The test concentrations were selected following a preliminary assay consisting of 0, 1, 10, 100, 1000 and 10000 mg of nonylphenol per kg of soil. The range of concentrations showing an inhibition between 10% and 90% were selected for the study.
- Reference substance (positive control):
- no
- Species:
- Brassica rapa
- Duration:
- 15 d
- Dose descriptor:
- EC10
- Effect conc.:
- 574.8 mg/kg soil dw
- Nominal / measured:
- nominal
- Conc. based on:
- test mat.
- Basis for effect:
- other: Fresh weight of seedling
- Remarks on result:
- other: (279.9, 1180.4)
- Details on results:
- SEED GERMINATION
- Percent seed germination: 97.5% in the OECD soil controls
SEEDLING EMERGENCE
- Fresh weight of OECD controls: Mean of 854 mg with standard deviation of +/- 119 mg.
- Other effects: No signs of nutrient deficiency were observed.
No differences in the outcomes between controls with and without the addition of acetone were found in any of the assays. - Results with reference substance (positive control):
- No data
- Reported statistics and error estimates:
- EC10 and EC50 (with 95% confidence intervals) were derived using Statistica 6.0 (StatSoft Inc., Tulsa, OK, USA).
- Validity criteria fulfilled:
- yes
- Conclusions:
- The authors considered nonylphenol to be more toxic than the nonylphenol ethoxylates mixture and considered the results to be in agreement with existing published literature. Nonylphenol presented low phytotoxicity but moderate toxicity to invertebrates, reproduction being clearly the most sensitive endpoint. Nonylphenol generally affected the invertebrates reproduction at lower concentrations than those affecting growth or survival. Earthworms and collembolans were more sensitive taxa compared to enchytraids.
- Executive summary:
In a 15-day chronic toxicity study, dicotyledonous plants (Brassica rapa) were exposed to control, solvent control and nonylphenol at a range of concentrations showing inhibition between 10% and 90% from an initial range-finding test. The EC10 based on fresh weight of the emergent seedling was 574.8 mg nonylphenol/kg, using an artificial soil test medium. Based on the results of this study, nonylphenol is not considered to be phytotoxic at the EC50 level (1,449.1 mg/kg is greater than the 1 g/kg threshold of toxicity in the OECD protocol).
This study is classified as acceptable and is similar in methodology to the requirements of the OECD Guideline 208 (OECD, 2006).
Referenceopen allclose all
This study provides the only reliable short-term data available for the REACH endpoint 9.4.3 (Short-Term Toxicity to Terrestrial Plants). Long-term results from the same study are reported in this IUCLID dossier.
This study (Domene et al., 2009) also reports results for another plant species, Brassica rapa (Key Study for this endpoint), also springtail, enchytraeid and earthworm species. Results for the other species are included in this IUCLID dossier. The EC10 for the monocotyledon Lolium perenne is less sensitive when compared to the effects on plant weight to B. rapa (EC10 of 738.9 mg/kg). The same trend was seen when the EC50s for seed germination and plant weight were compared; L. perenne was consistently less sensitive than B. rapa (see table below).
Unlike the other species tested, no additional plant tests were carried out using the two natural soils because the authors stated that in plants nonylphenol generally showed inhibitory effects over 1 g/kg in OECD soil in the preliminary test. This is the concentration above which a pollutant is not considered to be toxic according to the OECD protocol used in the study, so no further testing was undertaken.
Additional Results
Toxicity values for EC10 and EC50s for germination and fresh weight, also for other species, are provided in the table below. Each species is entered into the IUCLID database.
Species | Endpoint | Soil | EC10 | EC50 |
B. rapa | Freshweight | OECD | 574.8 (279.9, 1,180.4) | 1,449.1 (785.0, 2,674.7) |
Germination | 695.9 (286.3, 1,691.6) | 8,159.2 (5,904.0, 11,276.0) | ||
L. perenne | Freshweight | OECD | 738.9 (49.6, 11,011.2) | 4,011.6 (862.2, 18,664.5) |
Germination | 1,385.8 (696.5, 2,757.3) | 7,500.7 (6,031.2, 9,328.3) | ||
E. andreii | Survival | OECD | 343.9 (160.6, 736.4) | 625.5 (427.9, 914.1) |
PRA | 182.4 (157.6, 211.2) | 290.7 (272.0, 310.7) | ||
UAB | 498.2 (439.2, 565.2) | 622.0 (592.3, 653.2) | ||
Reproduction | OECD | 55.8 (13.7, 227.7) | 82.0 (47.6, 141.1) | |
PRA | 43.1 (26.9, 69.0) | 69.6 (57.7, 83.9) | ||
UAB | 63.6 (46.5, 87.1) | 124.3 (110.5, 139.9) | ||
Biomass | OECD | 88.3 (50.0, 155.8) | 309.1 (240.4, 397.3) | |
PRA | 121.2 (93.6, 156.9) | 240.2 (218.0, 264.8) | ||
UAB | 289.4 (219.1, 382.4) | 523.2 (474.5, 576.9) | ||
E. crypticus | Survival | OECD | 663.5 (444.9, 989.5) | 906.7 (786.5, 1,045.3) |
PRA | 214.5 (171.3, 268.6) | 316.2 (284.9, 350.9) | ||
UAB | 227.0 (89.5, 575.3) | 615.2 (431.9, 876.3) | ||
Reproduction | OECD | 24.0 (5.2, 110.7) | 225.8 (134.8, 378.4) | |
PRA | 455.8 (311.2, 667.5) | 641.7 (554.2, 742.9) | ||
UAB | 197.2 (97.9, 397.3) | 212.8 (194.6, 232.8) | ||
F. candida | Survival | OECD | 102.0 (69.7, 149.3) | 138.7 (129.4, 148.7) |
PRA | 52.3 (47.0, 58.1) | 69.8 (65.8, 74.1) | ||
UAB | 89.1 (70.0, 113.5) | 116.3 (104.2, 129.8) | ||
Reproduction | OECD | 63.2 (47.3, 84.5) | 92.8 (83.8, 102.8) | |
PRA | 45.0 (27.5, 73.7) | 64.4 (54.6, 75.9) | ||
UAB | 54.8 (23.9, 125.7) | 88.0 (79.9, 96.9) |
No tests were carried out using the two natural soils (unlike in the earthworm, collembola and enchyraeid tests in the Domene et al., 2009 study) because in plants nonylphenol generally showed inhibitory effects over 1 g/kg in OECD soil in the preliminary test. This is the concentration above which a pollutant is not considered to be toxic according to the OECD protocol used in the study.
Description of key information
A 7-day short-term toxicity test using Lactuca sativa reported an EC50 for growth of 559 mg nonylphenol/kg (Hulzebos et al., 1993). The key information for long-term effects to plant relates to the Domene et al., (2009) study where the most sensitive endpoint was a test on Lolium perenne with an EC10 based fresh weight of 574.8 mg nonylphenol/kg.
Key value for chemical safety assessment
- Short-term EC50 or LC50 for terrestrial plants:
- 559 mg/kg soil dw
- Long-term EC10, LC10 or NOEC for terrestrial plants:
- 574.8 mg/kg soil dw
Additional information
There were three reliable toxicity studies relating to six different species of terrestrial plants. Only one reliable short-term study was available where a 7-day test using Lactuca sativa reported an EC50for growth of 559 mg nonylphenol/kg (Hulzebos et al., 1993). However, this result is more sensitive than the extended 14-day test in the same study where an EC50of 625 mg/kg is reported. The Key Study is provided by Domeneet al., (2009) as this study was highly reliable (Klimisch 1) and fulfilled the information requirements for a Robust Study Summary. The 50% effect concentrations in the Hulzeboset al., (1993) study are similar to the EC10results reported by Domeneet al., (2009). Effects on fresh weight inBrassica rapaandLolium perenneover a 15-day period resulted in calculated EC10s of 574.8 and 738.9 mg nonylphenol/kg, respectively. This suggests that dicotyledonous plants are more sensitive than monocotyledons to nonylphenol toxicity. A number of factors differ between the long-term exposures in the Hulzebos and Domene studies including (i) the species, (ii) the effect levels and (iii) the soil type. In particular, Domeneet al., (2009) used artificial soils (the preferred test medium for REACH testing) whereas Hulzeboset al., (1993) employed natural soil with the potential to introduce further uncertainty due to the variation in natural soil properties to the Hulzebos experiment. It is difficult to make direct comparisons between the two studies due to these variations but the results do suggest that plants are likely to be affected by nonylphenol in soils where concentrations exceed 559 mg nonylphenol/kg. Domeneet al,. (2009) also reports EC50values for seed germination in B. rapa and L. perenne of 8159.2 and 7500.7 mg/kg, respectively.
In summary, the reliable data present an inconsistent trend of the toxicity of nonylphenol to terrestrial plants, although the NOEC is expected to be around the 0.5g/kg level or more. Based on the arguments of data reliability, adequacy and sensitivity of test species, the key value for long-term plant exposure to nonylphenol and further hazard assessment is theL. perenneEC10of 574.8 mg/kg. These results indicate that nonylphenol is slightly toxic to some plants at the EC10protection level but not toxic at the EC50level. More generally, plants are less sensitive to nonylphenol than soil invertebrates. These data are suitable for use in the octylphenol assessment.
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