Dimethyl glutarate

Short-term toxicity to fish

Description of key information

The 96-hour LC50 of DMG to fish was 30.9 ppm.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Fresh water fish

Fresh water fish

Effect concentration:

33.7 mg/L

Additional information

In the key study, the LC50 for dimethyl glutarate (DMG) was determined to be 30.9 ppm (Gibson 1976). The 96h LC50 value of the most sensitive species (i.e. Lepomis macrochirus) has been determined to 30.9 ppm. As the relative density of the substance is 1.09 g/cm3 a value of 33.7 mg/L has been used for the 96hLC50 value. This value was determined in a 96 hour LC50 assay using bluegill fish. No mass based concentrations or density is given in the study report. No GLP statement is made. The protocol applied is comparable to and fulfils the criteria of EPA OTS 797.1400 (Fish Acute Toxicity Test) for a valid result. The study is conclusive since the density of the test item is considered not different from standard material. The test animals were exposed to nominal concentration of 0, 20, 25, 27.5, 30, 32.5, 35, 37.5, 40, and 50 ppm. No analytical measurements of the tested concentrations were performed. No mortality was observed in the control. DMG exhibited moderate acute toxicity.

This LC50 is similar to that deterimned in another study on a structurally similar substance, DBE (EC# 906 -170 -0). In this study (Phillips FX, 1982), fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were exposed to Dibasic esters (DBE) with the test medium.

DBE exhibited moderate acute toxicity to fathead minnows under static, unaerated test conditions during a 96-hour exposure. The 96-hour LC₅₀ranges between the NOEC of 18 ppm (v/v) and the LOEC of 24 ppm (v/v), where 70% mortality was observed.