Alkanes, C14-17, chloro

Toxicity to soil macroorganisms except arthropods

Description of key information

Exposure of earthworms to Cereclor S52 (52% chlorination) resulted in adverse effects on survival, growth and reproduction at measured concentrations of 9300, 2800 and 900 mg/kg dry weight soil, respectively. The overall lowest NOEC for the study is 280 mg/kg dry weight soil for effects on reproduction.

Additional information

In a GLP study conducted according to OECD guideline 216 (draft 2000 version), the effects on survival, growth and reproduction of Cereclor S52 (C14-17 chlorinated paraffin; 52% chlorinated) to earthworms (Eisenia fetida) has been studied. Earthworms were exposed to nominal concentrations of the test material of between 100 and 10,000 mg/kg dry wt soil (achieving measured concentrations of 79, 280, 900, 2800 and 9300 mg/kg dry wt) for 28 days to determine effects on growth and mortality, and the cocoons were monitored for a further 28 days to determine the numbers of live offspring produced. Survival of adults was only significantly reduced at the highest measured concentration (9300 mg/kg dry wt) compared to controls, whereas significant weight change (losses of 15 and 34%) was seen at 2800 and 9300 mg/kg dry wt, respectively. A dose-related, and statistically significant, decrease in the numbers of live offspring (means of 14.5, 1.5 and 0) at 900, 2800 and 9300 mg/kg dry wt, respectively, was observed compared to (34.2 and 41.5) control and solvent control groups. The NOECs for adult survival, growth and reproduction in this study were 2800, 900 and 280 mg/kg dry wt soil, respectively. Therefore, the overall lowest NOEC was 280 mg/kg dry wt soil, equivalent to about 248 mg/kg wet wt (this NOEC will be used for the derivation of the PNEC) (Thompson et al. 2001c).