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Ecotoxicological information

Short-term toxicity to fish

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Administrative data

Link to relevant study record(s)

Description of key information

Phosphoryl trichloride hydrolyzes in water within seconds, forming phosphoric acid and hydrochloric acid (t1/2 < 10 seconds) (Hansel, 2004). Consequently, fish are exposed to phosphate and chloride ions. Therefore, studies on phosphate and chloride are relevant to analyze the toxicity of phosphoryl trichloride to fish and read across is appropriate.

Experimental studies on phosphate (Ellegaard and Gilmore, 1984) and chloride ions (Mount, 1997) were reported. None of this studies determined relevant effects of phosphate or chloride ions on fish.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Fresh water fish

Fresh water fish
Effect concentration:
4 630 mg/L

Additional information

Phosphoryl trichloride hydrolyzes in water within seconds, forming phosphoric acid and hydrochloric acid (t1/2 < 10 seconds) (Hansel, 2004). Consequently, fish are exposed to phosphate and chloride ions. Therefore, studies on phosphate and chloride are relevant to analyze the toxicity of phosphoryl trichloride to fish and read across is appropriate.

An experimental study was reported, that shows effects of chloride ions with different counterions (Mount 1997). In this study fish were exposed to KCl, NaCl, MgCl2, and CaCl2 for a period of 96 hours. The reported LC50 was about 880-6390 mg/L based on nominal exposure concentration. In comparison to the 96h-LC50 value of NaCl (6390 mg/L) the 96h-LC50 value of KCl (880 mg/L) was more than sevenfold lower. This shows that, besides chloride ions, potassium has additional effects on vitality of fish. Mount et al. (1997) reported, that relative ion toxicity was K+>Mg2+>Cl-. The toxicity of Na+ and Ca2+ salts could be adequately explained on the basis of the anion concentration alone. That means that NaCl and CaCl2 have approximately the same toxicity when expressed on the basis of Cl-. Therefore, NaCl (LC50 value 6390 mg/L) and CaCl2 (LC50 value 4630 mg/L) are much more appropriate than KCl or MgCl2 to analyze effects of chloride ions on fish.

Additionally, the 96h-LC50 for hydrochloric acid was reported to be >0.3 mmol/L (supporting study: Ellgaard and Gilmore, 1984). No acute mortality due to chloride concentration or pH effects from hydrochloric acid exposure was seen at hydrochloric acid concentrations <0.3 mmol/L. However, no pH adjustment was performed in this study and therefore the reported effects on fish are mainly based on pH effects and not on substance specific effects.

Effects of phosphate on fish were reported using phosphoric acid as test substance. After exposure of 96 h no effects were determined up to pH 3.5 (Ellgaard and Gilmore, 1984). This corresponds to a phosphate concentration of about 30 mg/L. However, the reported effects on fish are based on pH effects and not on substance specific effects.