Tetradecanol

Long-term toxicity to fish

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

fish early-life stage toxicity

Data waiving:

other justification

Justification for data waiving:

other:

Description of key information

(7 d) NOEC 1.0 mg/L

In accordance with Column 2 of REACH Annex IX, the study does not need to be conducted.

Additional information

The only reliable test data that provide an indication of long-term toxicity to fish are for 1-octanol, branched, 1-pentadecanol and decan-1-ol:

For 1-octanol a NOEC of between 0.75 and 3.0 mg/L has been determined for growth reduction in a 7-day test with larval fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) (Pickering et al., 1996). The result has been assigned reliability 2.

For 1-pentadecanol branched a NOEC of ≥140 µg a.i./L has been determined for growth, survival and reproduction in a 35-day test with larval fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) (ABC, 1999). The result has been assigned reliability 2.

For decan-1-ol a NOEC of 0.26 mg/l based on growth (total length), and EC₁₀ of 0.43 mg/l based on mortality, have been determined in a 33-day test with larval fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) (Wildlife International, 2015b). The result has been assigned reliability 1.

 

The result from Pickering et al. is expressed relative to nominal exposure concentrations and it is significant to note that measured concentrations declined by >90% over the period between media renewals (not specified in the source document). The true toxicity is therefore likely to have been greater than that expressed due to the observed loss of test substance concentration in the old media. Additionally, the duration of this test is too short for it to be considered a true long-term study.

 

The result from ABC is expressed relative to the arithmetic mean of measured concentrations; it should be noted that measured concentrations may vary as much as 10-fold in the same treatment level.

 

The test result from Wildlife International is expressed relative to arithmetic mean measured concentrations. Measures were taken to prevent significant biodegradation losses of substance in the test system. Measured concentrations were within 80% of nominal concentrations. 

 

These three test results do not provide sufficient data to determine a trend in long-term toxicity across the category. However, short-term data for fish and invertebrates indicate that the toxicity of linear alcohols decreases with increasing chain length and that alcohol’s with chain lengths ≥C13 are not toxic to fish, and those with chain lengths ≥C15 are not toxic for invertebrates, at their solubility limit. Invertebrates appear to be rather more susceptible than fish in short-term tests and it is reasonable to assume that a similar relationship exists in long-term tests.

 

Long-term invertebrate (Daphnia) toxicity data for a linear alcohol with a carbon chain length of C15 show it to be toxic at a concentration below its solubility limit (Fraunhofer Institute, 2005). However, data for a C18 linear alcohol show it to be non-toxic at its solubility limit (Henkel KGaA, 1992). Schäfers et al. (2009) have analysed these data and concluded that linear alcohols with carbon chain lengths >C15 are not toxic to invertebrates at their solubility limit. Given the relative susceptibilities of fish and invertebrates in short-term tests it is reasonable to conclude that alcohols with carbon chain lengths >C15 would also not be toxic to fish in long-term tests.

 

Testing for long term toxicity to fish is not considered necessary because:

A recent long-term toxicity test has been carried out with decan-1-ol. There was intensive method development to attempt to overcome very significant biodegradation losses of substance in the test system. Whilst testing is not technically impossible, it requires very significant efforts which are disproportionate to the need for data.

 

The freshwater PNEC has been derived from the data with long-term toxicity to invertebrates (Daphnia). The three available NOEC values for toxicity to fish indicate that they are in the range of the NOEC values determined in the long-term invertebrate tests.

 

References 

ABC Laboratories (1999). Early life stage toxicity of PMN P98-960 to the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) under flow-through test conditions. ABC Study No. 45413. July 13 1999. ABC Laboratories Inc. 7200 E. ABC Lane, Columbia, Missouri 65202.

 

Fraunhofer Institute (2005d). Daphnia magna, reproduction test in closed vessels following OECD 211. C15 fatty alcohol. GLP code: SDA-002/4-21. Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME) 57377 Schmallenberg, Germany.

 

Henkel KGaA, 1992. Octadecanol (Lorol C18-98): Bestimmung der chronischen Daphnientoxizitat im verlangerten Daphnientest, 21 Tage. Henkel KGaA Report No. RE 920096.

 

Pickering, Q.H., Lazorchak, J.M., and Winks, K.L. (1996). Subchronic sensitivity of one-, four-, and seven-day-old fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) larvae to five toxicants. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 15(3):353-359.

 

Schäfers, C. Boshof, U. Jürling, H. Belanger, S.E. Sanderson, H. Dyer, S.D. Nielsen, A.M. Willing, A. Gamon, K. Kasai, Y. Eadsforth, C.V. Fisk, P.R. Girling, A.E., 2009. Environmental properties of long chain aliphatic alcohols. Part 2: Structure-activity relationship for chronic aquatic toxicity of long-chain alcohols. Ecotoxicology and environmental safety. 72(4): 996-1005.

 

Wildlife International, 2015b. Decanol: A static-renewal fish embryo acute toxicity (FET) test with the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) Draft Report; Wildlife International Project Number: 774A-101; OECD Guideline 236.