Acrylaldehyde

Toxicity to microorganisms

Description of key information

Proteus vulgaris (bacterium): 2 h EC50=0.020 mg/l 
activated sludge: 0.5 h EC50=400 mg/l (respiration inhibition)

Key value for chemical safety assessment

EC50 for microorganisms:

0.02 mg/L

Additional information

1. European Union Risk Assessment Report of Acrolein (EU, 2001)

For the bacterium Proteus vulgaris a 2 hour EC₅₀ of 20 μg/l was determined. The 0.5 h EC₅₀- value for activated sludge bacteria from municipal origin was found to be 400 mg/l (respiration inhibition).

Several NOEC-values are available for both bacteria and protozoa, ranging from 210 to 40,000 μg/l. Because protozoa are not (directly) involved in the biodegradation of chemical compounds in a sewage treatment plant, the NOEC-values for this taxonomic group are only used as supportive information when deriving a PNEC for microorganisms. The lowest NOEC of 210 µg/l was determined in a 16h-test with Pseudomonas putida.

2. Agreement with further international Reports and Studies published after finalisation of the EU Risk Assessment Report 2001  

WHO (2002): Microbes are sensitive to acrolein. Under closed static conditions, the 2-h growth EC₅₀ for the bacterium Proteus vulgaris was 20 μg/litre.

3. Substantial disagreements in comparison to further international Reports to European Union Risk Assessment Report 2001

None

4. Additional aspects in further international Reports

None

5. Additional information in newer Studies, not included in the European Union Risk Assessment Report 2001 or further cited international reports

In a TETRATOX assay with Tetrahymena pyriformis a 40h-EC50 (cell growth) of ca. 0.039 mg/L was reported.

6. Conclusions

For the bacterium Proteus vulgaris a 2 hour EC₅₀of 20 μg/l was determined. The 0.5 h EC₅₀- value for activated sludge bacteria from municipal origin was found to be 400 mg/l (respiration inhibition).