Amines, polyethylenepoly-, tetraethylenepentamine fraction

Short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

25 Apr - 03 May 1989

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study with acceptable restrictions

Remarks:

Study is complete, performed under GLP and valid. However no analysis was performed and thus the usability for risk assessment purposes is limited when assessing the bioavailable fraction.

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

EU Method C.2 (Acute Toxicity for Daphnia)

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other: S.A.L.M. Kooyman. "Parametric analyses of mortality rates in bio-assays". Water Research 15(1981)107-119.

GLP compliance:

yes

Analytical monitoring:

no

Vehicle:

no

Details on test solutions:

A stock solution of 25 g/l was prepared by dissolving the test substance in demineralized water containing concentrated HCl.
The presence of the test substance in the test medium caused a change of the pH, which is outside the range that can be supported by the test animal. Therefore, the pH was neutralized both in the stock solution and in the dilution water to a value between 7.0 and 7.3. The chosen test concentrations were prepared by dilution of the stock solution.

Test organisms (species):

Daphnia magna

Details on test organisms:

The test organism was Daphnia magna; they were produced in the Akzo Research Laboratories Arnhem, dept. CRL according to NEN 6503 and Standard Operating Procedures SOP CRL T2. They were less than 24 hours old at the beginning of the test.

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

48 h

Hardness:

73.1 mg Ca/l, 20.4 mg Mg/l, 14.9 °dH

Test temperature:

19.7-20.8 °C

pH:

7.1-7.9

Dissolved oxygen:

9.0-9.2 mg/L

Nominal and measured concentrations:

nominal: 10, 18, 32, 56, 100 mg/L

Details on test conditions:

The temperature was kept between 19.7 and 20.8 °C, and the light regime was 16 hours ambient light per day.
The duration of the test was 48 hours.
The test vessels were 400 ml glass beakers, containing 250 ml of test medium. Each beaker contained 5 test animals.

Reference substance (positive control):

no

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

24.1 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mobility

Remarks on result:

other: 95% CI: 21-27.5 mg/L

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

NOEC

Effect conc.:

18 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mobility

Details on results:

A steep concentration-effect relationship was observed: no effect on mobility at 18 mg/l, and 100% immobilisation at 32 mg/l. The EC50-48 h is 24.1 mg/l. The 95% confidence limits are 21.0 and 27.5 mg/l.
The quality criteria of the test have been fulfilled: the immobilization in the control was <10%, the oxygen concentration was >2 mg/l at the end of the test, and the Daphnids in the control group have not been trapped at the surface of the water (less than 10%).
In an earlier study, the EC50-48 h of tetraethylenepentamine for Daphnia was 14 mg/l, with 95% confidence limits of 12.3 and 16.0 (Ten Berge and Blok, 1975). The (small) difference may be related to changes in the production process.

Reported statistics and error estimates:

The EC50 was determined by an LC50 program of Griffioen (RIZA) based on a model of Kooyman (1981).

Nominal concentration mg/L	Cumulative number of mobile animals
	0 h	24 h	48 h
Control	60	60 (7)	60(5)
10	20	20 (1)	20 (1)
18	20	20 (1)	20 (3)
32	20	18 (2)	0
56	20	0	0
100	20	3	0

( ) = sticks to the surface but swimming

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Conclusions:

No mortality was observed up to 18 mg/l. The EC50 was 24.1 mg/l, with 95% confidence limits of 21.0 and 27.5 mg/l (Nominal). The quality criteria of the test have been fulfilled: the immobilization in the control was <10%, the oxygen concentration was >2 mg/l at the end of the test, and the Daphnids in the control group have not been trapped at the surface of the water (less than 10%). The usability of the test reults when performing a riskassessment is limited due to the fact that only nominal concentrations are presented. This results in no information on the actuals bio-available concentration.

Executive summary:

Tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) was tested in an acute toxicity test with the water flea (Daphnia magna). The test was performed according to the EEC method, part C.: Methods for the determination of ecotoxicity, C.2. Acute toxicity for Daphnia. The test was carried out as a static test, in which the solution was not renewed. No mortality was observed up to 18 mg/l. The EC50 was 24.1 mg/l, with 95% confidence limits of 21.0 and 27.5 mg/l nominal. The quality criteria of the test have been fulfilled: the immobilization in the control was <10%, the oxygen concentration was >2 mg/l at the end of the test, and the Daphnids in the control group have not been trapped at the surface of the water (less than 10%).

Description of key information

EC50 (48 h): 24.1 mg/L (nominal)

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Fresh water invertebrates

Fresh water invertebrates

Effect concentration:

24.1 mg/L

Additional information

The acute toxicity of the substance to aquatic invertebrates was investigated according to EU Method C.2 and GLP. Daphnia magna were exposed to nominal test substance concentrations of 10, 18, 32, 58 and 100 mg/L. The mobility of the Daphnids was determined after 24 and 48 hours.Analytical dose verification was not performed since the substance was expected to be stable under the tested conditions.

At test termination an EC50(48 h) of 24.1 mg/L based on nominal test substance concentration was determined (NOEC (48 h): 18 mg/L, nominal).