Methylamine

Short-term toxicity to fish

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to fish

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Peer reviewed data

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 203 (Fish, Acute Toxicity Test)

GLP compliance:

no

Analytical monitoring:

no

Test organisms (species):

Leuciscus idus

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Total exposure duration:

48 h

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect conc.:

16 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Remarks on result:

other: not neutralized

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect conc.:

970 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Remarks on result:

other: neutralized

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Executive summary:

In this experiment the toxicity of methylamine to fish conducted according to OECD guidelines (OECD 203) was tested. The mortality of Leuciscus idus after 48 h was tested in neutralized (LC50: 970 mg/L) and not neutralized (LC50: 16 mg/L) test substance solutions (Bayrisches Landesamt fuer Wasserwirtschaft 1986).

Description of key information

The results of the short-term toxicity studies indicate that MMA has a rather low or no noteworthy toxicity potential towards fish and does not have to be classified or labelled as acutely harmful to fish (no classification or labelling for Aquatic toxicity).

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Fresh water fish

Fresh water fish

Effect concentration:

970 mg/L

Additional information

One key study on the toxicity of methylamine to fish conducted according to OECD guidelines (OECD 203) is available. The mortality of Leuciscus idus after 48 h was tested in neutralized (LC50: 970 mg/L) and not neutralized (LC50: 16 mg/L) test substance solutions (Bayrisches Landesamt fuer Wasserwirtschaft 1986). The LC50 of 16 mg/L for not neutralized solutions is caused by a pH-shift in the test medium at higher test item concentration. Therefore, for the risk assessment including PNEC-derivation and the classification/labelling of the amine the effect data for the neutralized test medium should be used since the quantities of the substance that would be found in natural waters are not likely to affect the pH to a relevant extent. It is likely that the LC50 value from the test without neutralization overestimates the potential toxicity of these matrices.

Embryogenesis of Brachydanio rerio (Zebra fish) after exposure to methylamine was investigated by Groth et.al. (1993; eggs was observed microscopically for 96 hours beginning with the 8 cell stage. Groth et al. (1993) determined no induction of any malformations and hatched embryos developed normally (NOEC: 3 mM = 93 mg/L, LC50: 22.9 mM = 711 mg/L).

Furthermore, Tonogai et al. investigated 1982 Oryzias latipes according to JIS K0102 (methylamine was neutralized using HCl) and found a LC50 (48h) of 1000 mg/L.

A QSAR performed by BASF (2019) came to the result of an LC50 (96h) of ray-finned fish (Actinopterygii) of 398 mg/L.

 

Kronauer et al. (1990) reported that 0.1 - 5 mg/mL incubation media (neutralized by HCl to pH 7.5) of MMA, caused mortality of most eggs by cytotoxic effects essentially at stage 24 of development. Malformations were not observed. The rate of embryonic mortality was 60 % at 2 mg/mL. In a screening test focusing on the toxicity of methylamine to Leuciscus idus melanotusa LC50 > 500 mg/L was determined after 48 hours (BASF AG, 1977). However, detailed information on the test performance, e.g. neutralization of the test substance, is not available.