Registration Dossier
Registration Dossier
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EC number: 212-736-1 | CAS number: 865-33-8
Endpoint summary
Administrative data
Description of key information
Additional information
Experimental studies on potassium methanolate investigating terrestrial toxicity are not available.
In water, potassium methanolate rapidly hydrolyses to methanol and potassium hydroxide (OECD, 2002). Due to the rapid hydrolysis of potassium methanolate, the assessment of the terrestrial toxicity is based on the products of hydrolysis i.e. methanol and potassium hydroxide.
Potassium hydroxide
Potassium hydroxide further dissociates in the
environment to potassium (K+) and hydroxyl ions (OH-). Potassium belongs
to the alkali metals and is one of the most common elements in the earth
crust. Together with sodium ions (Na+), potassium ions (K+) are
responsible for maintaining the cell membrane potential and essential
for the function of all living cells (Clausen&Poulsen, 2013). Many
physiological processes in organisms are driven by the influence of
potassium. Thus, potassium ions are not considered to be relevant for
aquatic toxicity.
Hydroxyl
ions may cause a change (increase) of pH of the receiving environmental
compartment. This may result in effects on aquatic organisms in case the
pH is changed outside of the tolerable pH-range. Thus, hydroxyl ions do
not have an intrinsic toxicity but may cause physical effects depending
on the buffer capacity of the aqueous medium (OECD, 2002). It has to be
noted that effluents from sewage treatment plants are measured
frequently for its pH and are appropriately adapted before release if
needed. In addition, due to the dilution effects and buffer capacity of
natural aquatic ecosystems significant pH changes followed by effects on
aquatic species are not expected (OECD, 2002).
In
conclusion, any observed effects after exposure of terrestrial organisms
to potassium hydroxide is considered to be solely caused by a potential
change of pH. Potassium ions are not considered to contribute to
terrestrial toxicity.
Methanol
Data on methanol investigating the long-term toxicity
to soil organisms are available for terrestrial plants, earthworms and
terrestrial arthropods (Stantec 2006).
Following NOEC values have been derived for the most sensitive endpoints of the investigated species.
Earthworm (Eisenia andrei)
NOEC (63 d ): 10000 mg/kg dw based on reproduction
Terrestrial arthropods (Folsomia candida)
NOEC (28 d) 1000 mg/kg dw based on reproduction
Terrestrial plants
NOEC (21 d, Medicago sativa): 1555 mg/kg dw based on shoot dry mass and
length
NOEC (14 d, Hordeum vulgare): 1555 mg/kg dw based on shoot dry mass
NOEC (21 d, Elymus lanceolatus): 2592 mg/kg dw based on shoot dry mass
and length, root dry mass
All the available data consistently demonstrate the very low terrestrial toxicity of methanol for terrestrial organisms.
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