Butyraldehyde

Short-term toxicity to fish

Administrative data

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to fish

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

96 hours

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Comparable to common international guidelines (e.g. OECD 203); meets national standard method with acceptable restrictions, basic data given.

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Unnamed

Year:

1981

Materials and methods

Test guideline

Guideline:

other: EPA-660/3-75-009

GLP compliance:

not specified

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Butyraldehyde

EC Number:

204-646-6

EC Name:

Butyraldehyde

Cas Number:

123-72-8

Molecular formula:

C4H8O

IUPAC Name:

butanal

Details on test material:

No other details given

Specific details on test material used for the study:

Details on properties of test surrogate or analogue material (migrated information):
Not applicable

Sampling and analysis

Analytical monitoring:

yes

Details on sampling:

analytical samples at test start (0h) and test end (96h)

Test solutions

Vehicle:

no

Details on test solutions:

Test media were prepared either bu direct addition to the test vessels or in the form of a stock solution in deionised water. The solutions were briefly stirred with a glass rod.

Test organisms

Test organisms (species):

Pimephales promelas

Details on test organisms:

use of controlled breeding stocks provided by E.P.A. Newtown Fish Toxicology Station, Cincinnati, Ohio;
pre-test observation period: at least 14 days;
only use of healthy populations: mortality in pre-test observation period not more than 3%;
acclimation period (to test water): 4 days (i.e. 2 days transition followed by 2 days in 100% test medium)

Study design

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

96 h

Post exposure observation period:

Not applicable

Test conditions

Hardness:

40-48 mg/L (as CaCO3)

Test temperature:

22 +- 1°C (test containers were placed in a large circulating temperature bath)

pH:

7.2-7.9

Dissolved oxygen:

monitored once daily

Salinity:

Not applicable

Nominal and measured concentrations:

Range of concentrations tested and analytical results not reported.

Details on test conditions:

test volume: 12 L (with a heigth of ca. 24 cm);
replicates per treatment group: 2;
test animal per replicate: 5;
total amount of animals per treatment group: 10;
two control replicates were each containing five fish were also used;
amount of test item concentrations tested (inclusive the control): at least 6;
geometric series between the test item concentrations: 0.6;
validity criteria for control mortality: <10%;
determinations every 24h: survival, dissolved oxygen, temperature;
determinations at test end: pH, weighing of control animals (to determine average size of test organisms)

Reference substance (positive control):

not specified

Results and discussion

Effect concentrations

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect conc.:

25.8 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

not specified

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Remarks on result:

other: 95% CL: 19.3-33.6 mg/L; 25.8

Results with reference substance (positive control):

Not applicable

Reported statistics and error estimates:

Statistical evaluation of results: determination of 96h-LC50 and 95% confidence limits (either by probit, moving average, or binomial test, depending on toxicity profile of the test item)

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Validity criteria fulfilled:

not specified

Remarks:

analytical data on stability not specified

Conclusions:

The LC50 value for n-butanal is reported to be 25.8 mg/L (with 95 % confidence limits of 19.3 - 33.6 mg/L).

Executive summary:

Within a comprehensive screening programme for establishing national water quality standards (US EPA), 42 chemicals were screened for acute aquatic toxicity in the 96h standard test (US national standard) using the fathead minnow. The LC₅₀ value for n-butanal is reported to be 25.8 mg/L (with 95 % confidence limits of 19.3 - 33.6 mg/L).