Propan-2-ol

Short-term toxicity to fish

Description of key information

The substance was not acutely toxic to freshwater fish when tested according to the methods defined by the US Environmental Protection Agency Committee on Methods for Toxicity Tests with Aquatic Organisms, the substance was determined to possess a 96-hour LC50 in freshwater fish ranging between 9640 and 10000 mg/L.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

LC50 for freshwater fish:

9 640 mg/L

Additional information

Three studies addressing short-term toxicity to fish are presented in the dossier. 

Short-term toxicity to fish.001 – 1983 – key: Acute toxicity to the freshwater fish Pimephales promelas (Fathead minnow) was assessed according to the methods defined by the US Environmental Protection Agency Committee on Methods for Toxicity Tests with Aquatic Organisms not according to GLP (pre-dates GLP requirements). The study was conducted under flow through conditions under the use of proportional diluters with 4 fish per concentration (individual test concentrations not reported) for 96 hours. Temperature was maintained at 25 ± 1°C and the concentrations were measured in each tank throughout the test. The percentage of dead fish was recorded at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. The following validity criteria were met: dissolved oxygen concentrations remained above 60% of the air saturation value at the end of the test; and the pH of the control and of the test solution did not vary by more than one unit during the course of the test. Mortality of the controls was not reported and although concentrations were measured throughout the test, individual nominal and measured concentrations were not reported. Two separate tests resulted in 96 hour LC50s of 10,000 mg/L and 9640 mg/L.

Short-term toxicity to fish.003 – Golden orf - 1978: Acute toxicity to the freshwater fish Leuciscus idus melanotus (Golden orf) was assessed according to Deutsche Einheitsverfahren zur Wasser-, Abwasser- und Schlammuntersuchung. L 15: Fischtest (Bestimmung der Wirkung von Wasserinhaltsstoffen auf Fische) not according GLP (pre-dates GLP). The fish were exposed to the substance under static conditions for 48 hours. The 48 – hour LC50 was determined to range between 8970 and 9280 mg/L. This lower toxicity over a shorter exposure period is in keeping with the result of the key study.

Short-term toxicity to fish.002 - Goldfish - 1973: Acute toxicity to the freshwater fish Carassius auratus (Goldfish) was assessed according to OECD guideline 203 (Fish, acute toxicity test) not according GLP (pre-dates GLP). The fish were exposed to the substance under static conditions for 24 hours.  The median tolerance limit (TLm: the concentration at which 50% animals survive) at 24 hours was reported to be >5000 mg/L. Detailed information was not provided in the report however, the results are in line with the key study. Therefore, result from a non reliable study however supports the results from the 2 reliable studies presented above.