Bis(2-chloroethyl) ether

Bioaccumulation: aquatic / sediment

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

bioaccumulation in aquatic species: fish

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

test procedure in accordance with generally accepted scientific standards and described in sufficient detail

Qualifier:

equivalent or similar to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 305 B (Bioaccumulation: Semi-static Fish Test)

GLP compliance:

no

Remarks:

pre-GLP

Specific details on test material used for the study:

TEST MATERIAL
- Names (as cited): Bis(2-chloroethyl) ether
- Purity: not specified

RADIOLABELLING INFORMATION (if applicable)
- Radiochemical purity: not specified
- Specific activity: not specified

Radiolabelling:

yes

Details on sampling:

- Sampling intervals/frequency for test organisms: Days 1, 2, 4, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28 of exposure and on Days 1, 2, 4, and 7 of depuration for analysis of whole-body residues.
- Sampling intervals/frequency for test medium samples: Days 1, 2, 4, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28 of exposure

Vehicle:

not specified

Test organisms (species):

Lepomis macrochirus

Details on test organisms:

TEST ORGANISM
- Common name: bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus)
- Source: commercial fish farmer in Connecticut
- Age at study initiation: no data
- Length at study initiation: from 25 (±3) mm
- Weight at study initiation: 0.37 (±0.18) g
- Weight at termination: 0.94 (±0.34) g
- Health status: good physical condition; cumulative fish mortality during the acclimation period < 3%
- Description of housing/holding area: glass aquaria measuring 40 by 20 by 25 cm (length by width
by height) to a depth of 19 cm.
- Feeding during test
- Food type: dry pelleted food
- Amount: ad libitum
- Frequency: alternating days

ACCLIMATION
- Acclimation period: 30 days prior to the initiation of the study
- Acclimation conditions: same as test

Route of exposure:

aqueous

Test type:

semi-static

Water / sediment media type:

other: well water

Total exposure / uptake duration:

<= 28 d

Total depuration duration:

7 d

Hardness:

35 mg/L as calcium carbonate

Test temperature:

16°C (±1°C)

pH:

7.1

Details on test conditions:

TEST SYSTEM
- Test vessel: glass aquaria measuring 40 by 20 by 25 cm (length by width
by height) to a depth of 19 cm
- Material, size, headspace, fill volume:
- Aeration: no aeration
- Temperature: 16 +/- 1°C
- Type of flow-through: not specified
- Renewal rate of test solution: not specified
- No. of organisms per vessel: 100
- No. of vessels per concentration: not specified

TEST MEDIUM / WATER PARAMETERS
- Source/preparation of dilution water: well water
- Particulate matter: not specified
- Metals: not specified
- Pesticides: not specified
- Chlorine: not specified

Nominal and measured concentrations:

9.91 ± 0.43 µg/L (measured)

Reference substance (positive control):

no

Details on estimation of bioconcentration:

BASIS FOR CALCULATION OF BCF
- Estimated as the quotient of the mean measured residues of the compound in fish tissues during the equilibrium period divided by the mean measured concentration of the compound in exposure water

Key result

Conc. / dose:

9.91 µg/L

Temp.:

16 °C

pH:

7.1

Type:

BCF

Value:

11 L/kg

Basis:

whole body w.w.

Time of plateau:

14 d

Elimination:

not specified

Parameter:

DT50

Remarks on result:

other: Depuration time >4 - < 7 days

Validity criteria fulfilled:

not specified

Conclusions:

BCF of Bis(2-chloroethyl) ether was determined to be 11 L/kg. The depuration half-life was >4 - <7 days. Based on this data, the substance is considered to have a low bioaccumulation potential.

Executive summary:

This published study by Veith et al. (1980) provides a detailed description of a bioaccumulation test on bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus). A modified, intermittent-flow, proportional diluter was used to deliver well water (pH of 7.1, total hardness of 35 mg/litre as calcium carbonate) to the glass aquaria. One hundred bluegills were transferred into each aquarium. The exposure period was continuous until apparent equilibrium between concentrations in the fish tissue (whole body) and the exposure water was observed or, alternatively, for a maximum exposure period of 28 days. The remaining fish were then transferred into an aquarium through which pollutant-free well water flowed at a rate equivalent to that during exposure. This depuration period was continued for 7 days so that the half-life (that is, the time required for elimination of 50 percent of the accumulated carbon-14-labeled residues present in bluegill tissues at the termination of exposure) could be estimated. BCF of Bis(2-chloroethyl) ether was determined to be 11 L/kg (following a 14 -days exposure). The depuration half-life was >4 - <7 days. The substance has a low bioaccumulation potential.

The method used was similar to OECD Guideline No. 305B. In addition, the publication has been subject to peer-review. Accordingly, it is judge acceptable and the study has been assigned a reliability score of 2.

Description of key information

Based on the results of a Published study by Veith et al. using a method similar to OECD Guideline No. 305B, the BCF of Bis(2-chloroethyl) ether was determined to be 11 L/kg. The depuration half-life was >4 - <7 days. Based on this data, the substance is considered to have a low bioaccumulation potential.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

BCF (aquatic species):

11 L/kg ww

Additional information

Two study reports data on the bioaccumulation potential of Bis(2-chloroethyl) ether.

The published study by Veith et al. (1980) provides a detailed description of a bioaccumulation test on bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus). A modified, intermittent-flow, proportional diluter was used to deliver well water (pH of 7.1, total hardness of 35 mg/litre as calcium carbonate) to the glass aquaria. One hundred bluegills were transferred into each aquarium. The exposure period was continuous until apparent equilibrium between concentrations in the fish tissue (whole body) and the exposure water was observed or, alternatively, for a maximum exposure period of 28 days. The remaining fish were then transferred into an aquarium through which pollutant-free well water flowed at a rate equivalent to that during exposure. This depuration period was continued for 7 days so that the half-life (that is, the time required for elimination of 50 percent of the accumulated carbon-14-labeled residues present in bluegill tissues at the termination of exposure) could be estimated. BCF of Bis(2-chloroethyl) ether was determined to be 11 L/kg (following a 14 -days exposure). The depuration half-life was >4 - <7 days. The substance has a low bioaccumulation potential. The method used was similar to OECD Guideline No. 305B. In addition, the publication has been subject to peer-review. Accordingly, it is judged acceptable and the study has been assigned a reliability score of 2.

In a study conducted on behalf of the Japanese Ministry of Environment, Bis(2 -chloroethyl) ether was found to have a very limited bioaccumulation in Cyprinus carpio following a 6 weeks exposure period. At 0.3 mg/L, the concentration of the substance in fish tissues were under the limit of detection and BCF was considered to be <= 10 L/kg. At 3 mg/L, measured BCF values ranged from 0.4 to 1.3 L/kg. Based on these experimental results, Bis(2-chloroethyl) ether did not significantly bioaccumulate in fish. The study was conducted according to the "Bioaccumulation test of a chemical substance in fish or shellfish" provided in "the Notice on the Test Method Concerning New Chemical Substances". This method is judged acceptable and the study has been assigned a reliability score of 2.