(2H)chloroform

Short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Administrative data

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study with acceptable restrictions

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Acute lethal toxicity of hydrocarbons and chlorinated hydrocarbons to two plankton crustaceans: the key role of organism-water partitioning

Author:

Abernethy S, Bobra AM, Shiu WY, Wells PG, Mackay D

Year:

1986

Bibliographic source:

Aquatic Toxicology 8, 163-174

Materials and methods

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Toxicity test according to Bobra et al. (1983), Chemosphere 12, 1137-1149.

GLP compliance:

no

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Chloroform

EC Number:

200-663-8

EC Name:

Chloroform

Cas Number:

67-66-3

Molecular formula:

CHCl3

IUPAC Name:

chloroform

Test material form:

liquid

Sampling and analysis

Analytical monitoring:

no

Test solutions

Vehicle:

no

Details on test solutions:

Saturated aqueous solutions of chloroform were prepared and diluted to provide at least 5 exposure concentrations plus a control. Test chambers were filled and sealed in glass vials with teflon-lined screw caps. Air spaces in exposure chambers were eliminated to minimise volatilisation loss of the toxicant from water.

Test organisms

Test organisms (species):

Daphnia magna

Details on test organisms:

4 to 6 day old Daphnia from laboratory-breeded stocks were used for the test.

Study design

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

48 h

Test conditions

Test temperature:

23 +/- 2 °C

Dissolved oxygen:

Concentration was typically at 8 to 9 mg/L and after 48 hours, the lowest measured concentration was 5 mg/L.

Results and discussion

Effect concentrations

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect conc.:

79 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Basis for effect:

mortality

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Executive summary:

The acute toxicity of chloroform to 4 to 6 day old Daphnia magna was tested in a static test with sealed vessels. The endpoint for the toxicity assessment was mortality. The LC50 value determined was 79 mg/L.