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Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.

The new ECHA CHEM database has been released by ECHA, and it now contains all REACH registration data. There are more details on the transition of ECHA's published data to ECHA CHEM here.

Diss Factsheets

Environmental fate & pathways

Bioaccumulation: aquatic / sediment

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Administrative data

Link to relevant study record(s)

Description of key information

Several bioaccumulation studies were available for ethylbenzene and included fresh and saltwater fishes, clams and algae.  

Key value for chemical safety assessment

BCF (aquatic species):
110 L/kg ww

Additional information

Mackay et al (1979) derived values reported in one key study indentified with a Klimisch score of 2 along three supporting studies with good reliabilty (Klimisch scores of 2), 2 additional supporting studies from secondary literature sources (Klimisch scores of 4) and 1 supporting study that had insufficient documentation to allow for assessment (Klimisch score of 4). Mackay et al (1979) derived values identified in the key study that reported bioconcentration values after 2, 3, 5 and 6 weeks of 1.1, 2.4, 2 and 1 respectively and after one week of depuration, C2-substutituted benzenes were not detectable (limit of detection: 0.05 mg/kg). The highest BCF value from the key study was 2.4 however the endpoint determined after the 6 week exposure period was 1. Steady state was not reached in this study and test concentrations were based on a water soluble fraction of crude oil. Concentrations of ethylbenzene were determined to be 0.005 mg/L. Other reported values range from 2.31 to 15.5 and a calculated value of 100 was offered by Yoshida et al. (1983). Due to this discrepancy between BCF values reported in the literature and the limited available documentation available to validate test design it is recommended that a predicted BCF value of 110 L/kg be used (USEPA 2000).