Benzyl-C12-14-alkyldimethylammonium chlorides

Short-term toxicity to fish

Description of key information

In reliable guideline studies, the lowest 96 hour LC50 value for C12-16 ADBAC in freshwater fish was 0.515 mg a.i./L (Lepomis macrochirus). The LC50 of C12-14 ADBAC for marine water fish was 1.28 mg a.i./L.  

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Fresh water fish

Fresh water fish

Effect concentration:

0.515 mg/L

Marine water fish

Marine water fish

Effect concentration:

1.28 mg/L

Additional information

A guideline study was conducted to evaluate the acute toxicity of the read-across substance C12-16 ADBAC to Lepomis macrochirus (Bluegill sunfish) under static conditions. The nominal test substance concentrations were 0, 0.180, 0.320, 0.490, 0.560 and 0.750 mg/L, equivalent to mean measured test concentrations of 0, 0.1973, 0.3171, 0.4555, 0.515 and 0.638 mg a.i./L. Analytical determination was performed for the test substance. Twenty fish in two replicates were exposed to each test concentration. The solutions were renewed at 24, 48 and 72 hours. Observations of symptoms of toxicity and mortality were made at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. The LC50 was calculated based on measured concentrations following a binomial method. The 96 hour LC50and NOEC were 0.515 and 0.456 mg a.i./L respectively (Pate HO and McIntyre DO, 1991).

A guideline study with read-across substance C12-16 ADBAC was performed using 10 trout (Salmo gairdneri) per concentration under static conditions. Fish were exposed to different concentrations (0, 0.5, 0.7, 1.0, 1.4, 2.0, 3.5 and 10.0 mg a.i./L) of test substance for 96 hours. No chemical analysis of test concentrations was performed. Abnormal findings during the exposure period were recorded in the swimming behaviour, visible physiological functions and outward appearance of the fish. The test 96 h LC0 was 1.4 mg/L (equivalent to 0.7 mg a.i./L), the LC50 was 1.7 mg/L (equivalent to 0.85 mg a.i./L) and the LC100 was 3.5 mg/L (equivalent to 1.75 mg a.i./L) (Dommrose AM, 1987).

A study was conducted to determine the effects on marine water fish of a 96 hour exposure to C12-14 ADBAC. The test was performed on juvenile Cyprinodon variegatus. The following nominal concentrations were used: 1, 3, 10, 30 and 100 mg/L. The reference substance 3,5-dichlorophenol was included in the study. Under the conditions of the study, the 96 h LC50was 1.7 mg/L (1.28 mg a.i/L) and the NOEC was 1.0 mg/L (0.798 mg a.i./L). The 96 h LC10 and LC90 were calculated at 1.6 (1.27 mg a.i/L) and 1.9 mg/L (1.51 mg a.i. /L), respectively (Sundfor I, 2003).