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Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.

The new ECHA CHEM database has been released by ECHA, and it now contains all REACH registration data. There are more details on the transition of ECHA's published data to ECHA CHEM here.

Diss Factsheets

Ecotoxicological information

Toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria

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Administrative data

Link to relevant study record(s)

Description of key information

EC50 for algae: no effects within water solubility
NOEC50 for algae: no effects within water solubility

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Additional information

A study by Hanstveit and Oldersma (1993) is available on the toxicity of stearic acid to aquatic algae. However, due to methodological insuffiency, the study was rated reliability 3. Since no further studies are available, read across to palmitic acid (C16), which is a member of the fatty acids category, was done.

The 72h test provided by the Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan was conducted by an unknown author in 2000. It was accomplished according to OECD 201 and in accordance with GLP. Pseudokirchnereilla subcapitata was tested under static conditions with 95% pure palmitic acid. Based on growth rate an EC50 (72h) as well as a NOEC (72h) were determined to be >0.9 mg/L. Thus, no toxic effects on aquatic algae were observed within the water solubility of the test substance.

This result from palmitic acid (C16) is applicable to stearic acid, since the water solubility declines with chain length and toxicity of the fatty acid substances declines likewise with chain-length starting with C12. Thus, no toxicity on algae is to be expected from stearic acid within water solubility.