Quinine hydrogen sulphate

Ecotoxicological Summary

Hazard for aquatic organisms

Freshwater

Hazard assessment conclusion:

PNEC aqua (freshwater)

PNEC value:

13.1 µg/L

Assessment factor:

1 000

Extrapolation method:

assessment factor

PNEC freshwater (intermittent releases):

0.131 mg/L

Marine water

Hazard assessment conclusion:

PNEC aqua (marine water)

PNEC value:

1.31 µg/L

Assessment factor:

10 000

Additional information

This experimental study was published by Ali, 2012. A test of the toxicity of quinine sulphate on zebrafish embryos Danio rerio was performed in a static system. The LC50 (96 h) of quinine sulphate for zebrafish embryos is 562.4 mg/L. After exposure duration of 24 h, 48 h and 72 h no embryos had died. The aquatic toxicity of quinine bisulphate to invertebrates was determined experimentally and published by Guilhermino, 2000. The EC50 of quinine sulphate for Daphnia magna was determined with an Acute Daphnia toxicity test in freshwater. The EC50 (24 h) for Daphnia magna is 44.8 mg/l. In an own study the EC50 for Daphnia magna was determined with an Acute Daphnia toxicity test for 48 h. The EC50 (48 h) of quinine sulphate for Daphnia magna is 91.93 mg/l. In the ECOTOX Database, the toxicity of quinine bisulphate to Penaeus setiferus is shown. The LC100 (24h) of quinine bisulphate is 40 mg/L and the LC0 is 5 mg/L. The LC50 of quinine bisulphate for Penaeus setiferus is 13.1 mg/L. The aquatic toxicity to algae was also determined experimentally and published by Moreno-Garrido, 2001. In this publication, the toxicity to green algae Dunaliella salina was determined with a Toxicity tests for 72 h in saltwater. The determined EC50 quinine sulphate is 14.5 mg/L. Further the EPI Suite results show that the toxicity (LC50 and chronic toxicity value) estimated by using ECOSAR v1.11. Two models are available, the estimation form the ECOSAR Class (Benzyl Alcohols) and the Neutral Organic Structure Analysis Relationship (baseline toxicity). In general, the values for toxicity estimated by Neutral Structure SAR are higher and therefore, the estimated toxicity lower compared to the estimation based on ECOSAR class (Benzyl Alcohols). Lowest LC/EC50 and chronic toxicity value, were observed for green algae, at 32.928 g/L and 5.404 g/L, respectively. Estimation by calculation only provides an approximation. The EPA recommends that empirical measures provide better results.

Conclusion on classification

The determined EC50 of quinine bisulphate for invertebrates and algae is > 10 mg/L. The additional test on biodegradation for quinine indicates that the substance is easily biodegradable. Thus, quinine bisulphate does not need to be classified according to CLP 1272/2008.