Bis(hydroxyethyl) terephthalate

Endpoint summary

Description of key information

The toxicity of bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET; CAS No. 959-26-2) was assessed using information on the terephthalic acid, and the ethylene glycol transformation products.

Based on a conservative prediction, the 48h daphnid EC50 of BHET is predicted to be > 1530 mg/L.

Based on a conservative prediction, the 96h algae ErC50 of BHET is predicted to be > 1530 mg/L.

Based on a conservative prediction, the 96h fish LC50 of BHET is predicted to be > 1530 mg/L.

Based on a conservative prediction, the 3h ASRIT EC50 of BHET is predicted to be > 2131 mg/L.

The Chemical Safety Assessment according to Annex I indicates that there is no need to investigate further the effects on aquatic organisms.

Additional information

Information on the source substances is considered to be directly applicable to an equivalent molar amount of the target substance.

 

Short-term toxicity on invertebrates (REACH Annex VII 9.1.1)

The short-term toxicity on invertebrates of terephthalic acid was assessed in Daphnia magna in a GLP-compliant study according to OECD 202. The reported 48h EC50 was greater than 1 000 mg/L or greater than 6.0 mmol/L. The toxicity of ethylene glycol to Daphnia magna was assessed in a study similar to OECD 202 which pre-dates GLP. The reported 24h LC50 was greater than 10 000 mg/L or greater than 161.1 mmol/L. The conservative 48h EC50 of BHET was predicted to be greater than 6.0 mmol/L or greater than 1 530 mg/L.

 

Growth inhibition study on aquatic plants (REACH Annex VII 9.1.2)

The effects on the growth of aquatic plants for terephthalic acid was assessed in Desmodesmus subspicatus in a GLP-compliant study according to OECD 201. The reported 96h ErC50 was greater than 1 000 mg/L or greater than 6.0 mmol/L. The ability of ethylene glycol to inhibit the growth of Raphidocelis subcapitata was assessed in an US EPA/600/4-89/01 Short-term method for estimating chronic toxicity of effluents and receiving waters to freshwater organisms. The reported 96h IC50 was 10 940 mg/L or 176.3 mmol/L. The conservative 96h ErC50 of BHET was predicted to be greater than 6.0 mmol/L or greater than 1 530 mg/L.

 

Short-term toxicity on fish (REACH Annex VIII 9.1.3)

The short-term toxicity on fish of terephthalic acid was assessed in Leuciscus idus melantotus (Golden Orfe) in a GLP-compliant study according to OECD 203. No mortalities or behavioural changes were noted at any concentration during the study. The reported 96h LC50 was greater than 1 000 mg/L or greater than 6.0 mmol/L. The toxicity of ethylene glycol to Carassius auratus (goldfish) was assessed in a study similar to OECD 203 which pre-dates GLP. The reported 24h LC50 was greater than 5 000 mg/L or greater than 80.6 mmol/L. The conservative 96h LC50 of BHET was predicted to be greater than 6.0 mmol/L or greater than 1 530 mg/L.

 

Activated sludge respiration inhibition (REACH Annex VIII 9.1.4)

A GLP-compliant OECD 209 study was conducted with terephthalic acid. The respiration rate of activated sludge was not inhibited at saturated concentrations during the range finding study. The reported 16d EC50 was 1 392.8 mg/L or 8.4 mmol/L. The activated sludge respiration inhibition of ethylene glycol was assessed according to DIN 38412-8 using Pseudomonas putida. The 16-hour toxic threshold concentration (TTC), comparable with an EC5, was reported to be greater than 10 000 mg/L or 161.1 mmol/L. The information on the source substances is for longer exposure times than the 3-hour exposure period required by OECD 209 and would be a conservative estimate of the 3-hour respiration inhibition concentration. The conservative 3h EC50 of BHET was predicted to be greater than 8.4 mmol/L or greater than 2 131 mg/L.