Pentane-2,4-dione

Long-term toxicity to fish

Description of key information

The NOEC of Acetyl acetone for the early life stages of fathead minnow fish is 10 mg/l. The LOEC was 22 mg/l. 

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Fresh water fish

Fresh water fish

Effect concentration:

10 mg/L

Additional information

Fish early-life stage (ELS) toxicity test with Acetyl acetone (flow-through).

This study investigated the effects of Acetyl acetone on survival, development and growth during the early stages of the fish species fathead minnow. The study procedures described in this report were based on the OECD guidelines for Testing of Chemicals: Guideline No. 210, 1992. In addition, the procedures were designed to meet the test methods and validity criteria of the EPA Ecological Effects Test Guidelines, 'Public Draft', EPA 712-C-96-121, 1996.

The batch of Acetyl acetone tested was a clear colourless liquid with a purity of 99.8% and completely soluble in test medium at the concentrations tested.

Based on the results of an 8-day preliminary test and a limit test, a final ELS test was performed with a control group and Acetyl acetone target concentrations of 1.0, 2.2, 4.6, 10 and 22 mg/l. The test started by placing sixty fertilised eggs per test group, randomly distributed and divided equally over three stainless steel test vessels (3 replicates/test concentration) in a flow-through system. The total test period was 34 days. Samples for analytical confirmation of actual exposure concentrations were taken before the start of the exposure, at the start of exposure and weekly thereafter. Analyses were based on Total Organic Carbon (TOC) concentrations.

TOC-analyses generally confirmed correct functioning of the flow-through system and therefore it was considered justified to base all test results on the target concentrations.

Acetyl acetone did not induce any significant, visible effects on the development and survival of fathead minnow embryos and did not significantly affect time of hatching or the hatching success in any of the concentrations tested.

Average larval survival in the control group was 73%. Larval survival in the Acetyl acetone treatments ranged between 70 and 94% and was not statistically different from the control. No significant treatment related sub-lethal effects were observed.

Length and weight of the fish in the test group of 22 mg/l was statistically significantly reduced compared to the control group at the end of the test period. Growth in the lower concentrations was not significant different from the control group.

The study met the acceptability criteria prescribed by the protocol and the guidelines and was considered valid.

The results of the final flow-through test led to the following conclusions for Acetyl acetone:

1. Acetyl acetone did not induce any significant, visible effects on the development of fathead minnow embryos at concentrations up to and including 22 mg/l.

2. Acetyl acetone did not significantly affect time of hatching or the hatching success up to and including 22 mg/l.

3. Acetyl acetone did not affect survival or development of the larvae during the whole test period up to and including 22 mg/l.

4. Acetyl acetone affected growth of the larvae during the 34-day test period at the highest test concentration of 22 mg/l.

Hence, the NOEC of Acetyl acetone for the early life stages of fathead minnow fish is 10 mg/l. The LOEC was 22 mg/l.