Methyl methacrylate

Ecotoxicological Summary

Hazard for aquatic organisms

Freshwater

Hazard assessment conclusion:

PNEC aqua (freshwater)

PNEC value:

0.94 mg/L

Assessment factor:

10

Extrapolation method:

assessment factor

PNEC freshwater (intermittent releases):

0.94 mg/L

Marine water

Hazard assessment conclusion:

PNEC aqua (marine water)

PNEC value:

0.094 mg/L

Assessment factor:

100

Extrapolation method:

assessment factor

STP

Hazard assessment conclusion:

PNEC STP

PNEC value:

10 mg/L

Assessment factor:

10

Extrapolation method:

assessment factor

Sediment (freshwater)

Hazard assessment conclusion:

PNEC sediment (freshwater)

PNEC value:

10.2 mg/kg sediment dw

Extrapolation method:

equilibrium partitioning method

Sediment (marine water)

Hazard assessment conclusion:

PNEC sediment (marine water)

PNEC value:

0.102 mg/kg sediment dw

Extrapolation method:

equilibrium partitioning method

Hazard for air

Air

Hazard assessment conclusion:

no hazard identified

Hazard for terrestrial organisms

Soil

Hazard assessment conclusion:

PNEC soil

PNEC value:

1.48 mg/kg soil dw

Extrapolation method:

equilibrium partitioning method

Hazard for predators

Secondary poisoning

Hazard assessment conclusion:

no potential for bioaccumulation

Additional information

PNEC aqua (freshwater)

Acute toxicity studies were conducted with MMA in fish, daphnia and algae. Chronic studies with MMA are available for all trophic levels.The PNEC aqua (freshwater) was based on the NOEC of 9.4 mg/L. An assessment factor of 10 was applied to the NOEC to calculate the PNEC aqua (freshwater) in accordance with Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment, Chapter R.10: Characterisation of dose [concentration]-response for environment, 2008.

PNEC aqua (marine)

No tests with marine species are available. The PNEC aqua (marine water) was based on the NOEC of 9.4 mg/L. An assessment factor of 100 was applied to the NOEC to calculate the PNEC aqua (marine water) in accordance with Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment, Chapter R.10: Characterisation of dose [concentration]-response for environment, 2008.

PNEC aqua (intermittent releases)

The most sensitive species for acute toxicity testing was Daphnia magna (EC50 = 69 mg/L). Using the default assessment factor of 100, a PNEC of 0.69 mg/L would be derived for intermittent releases. This value is lower than the chronic PNEC and, hence, makes no sense. Instead , the chronic PNEC is used as the departure point for the assessment of intermittent releases.

PNEC STP

The calculation of the PNEC STP is based on the result of a biodegradation study. At 100 mg/L MMA was biodegraded by 94 % without apparent microbial toxicity. An AF of 10 is applied.

PNEC sediment (freshwater, marine)

No toxicity data for sediment dwelling organisms are available. Thus, the PNEC for freshwater as well as marine sediment has been calculated with the equilibrium partitioning method using EUSES 2.1.

The following data have been taken into account for the calculation:

Molecular weight [g/mol]	100.12
Melting point [°C]	-48
Boiling point [°C]	100.36
Vapour pressure [hPa], 20°C	37.0
Water solubility [mg/L], 25°C	15300
Log Kow	1.38
Koc (Kow method) L/kg	72
PNEC aqua, freshwater [mg/L]	0.94

PNEC air

A PNEC air was not calculated for MMA since the substance is rapidly degraded in air. This indicates that there would be only little accumulation of the test substance in the air.

PNEC soil

No toxicity data for soil organisms are available. Thus, the PNEC soil has been calculated with the equilibrium partitioning method using EUSES 2.1.

The following data have been taken into account for the calculation:

Molecular weight [g/mol]	100.12
Melting point [°C]	-48
Boiling point [°C]	100.36
Vapour pressure [hPa], 20°C	37.0
Water solubility [mg/L], 25°C	15300
Log Kow	1.38
Koc (Kow method) L/kg	72
PNEC aqua, freshwater [mg/L]	0.94

   

PNEC oral

A PNEC oral was calculated for MMA but not considered with respect to secondary poisening, since the substance is readily biodegradable. Due to the well investigated metabolic pathways the probability of being rapidly metabolised in exposed organisms is high. Together with the reported log Kow of 1.38 this indicates that there would be no significant potential for biomagnification of the test substance in the food chain.

Conclusion on classification

According to the criteria of the CLP (EU-GHS) Directive 1272/2008 classification regarding hazards for the aquatic environment is not required.

According to the criteria of the GHS classification (GHS UN rev.3, 2009) MMA has to be classified for acute aquatic toxicity, category 3.