1-chloro-2,3-epoxypropane

Endpoint summary

Additional information

Aquatic toxicity testing with epichlorohydrin is complicated by the fact that the test material is reactive and therefore unstable in aquatic environments. The rate of elimination of epichlorohydrin from environmental waters is mainly determined by both evaporation and hydrolysis. The evaporation half-life of epichlorohydrin for a 1 m depth of water at 20°C was calculated as 2.1 days, and the evaporation half-life determined experimentally for epichlorohydrin was 12 hours (Krijgsheld and van der Gen, 1986). The experimental value for the hydrolysis half-life of epichlorohydrin at 20°C was 6.5 days (Krijgsheld and van der Gen, 1986). 

 

In regards to epichlorohydrin, there were acute toxicity data sets available for fish, invertebrates and algae. For fish, the 96-hour LC50 value of 10.6 mg/L for epichlorohydrin was reported in a valid exposure studies with fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas). For invertebrates,the 48-hour EC50 value of 23.9 mg/L epichlorohydrin was reported in a valid exposure study with Daphnia magna. In a growth inhibition test with Pseudokirchnerella subcapitata,the 72-hour E_rC50 for epichlorohydrin was determined to be 15 mg/L, and the 72-hour NOEC for epichlorohydrin was determined to be 1.7 mg/L. No chronic toxicity data on epichlorohydrin was available for assessment, since epichlorohydrin is not expected to be stable for long periods of time in the aquatic environment.

 

Taken together, the lowest acute aquatic toxicity value for epichlorohydrin is the 96-hour LC50 of 10.6 mg/L based on fathead minnow survival.

 

 

Krijgsheld KR, van der Gen. 1986. Assessment of the impact of the emission of certain organochlorine compounds on the aquatic environment. Part III: Epichlorohydrin. Chemosphere 15(7): 881-893.