Titanium dioxide

Toxicity to other aquatic organisms

Administrative data

Endpoint:

toxicity to other aquatic vertebrates

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

disregarded due to major methodological deficiencies

Reliability:

3 (not reliable)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: see 'Remarks'

Remarks:

The references contained in this summary entry represent investigations on the effect of bulk titanium dioxide on different aquatic species following short- or long-term exposure, with very limited value for risk assessment purposes. All references do not fulfil the criteria for quality, reliability and adequacy of experimental data for the fulfilment of data requirements under REACH and hazard assessment purposes (ECHA guidance R4 in conjunction with regulation (EC) 1907/2006, Annexes VII-X). The information contained therein were included for information purposes only.

Data source

Reference

Reference 1

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Evaluation of the effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on cultured Rana catesbeiana tailfin tissue

Author:

Hammond, S.A. et al.

Year:

2013

Bibliographic source:

Front Genet. 2013 Nov 21;4:251

Reference 2

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Effect of nanomaterials on the compound action potential of the shore crab, Carcinus maenas

Author:

Windeatt, K.M.; Handy, R.D.

Year:

2013

Bibliographic source:

Nanotoxicology 7, 378-388

Materials and methods

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Hammond et al. (2013):
test organism: Rana catesbeiana; The effect of micro-sized titanium dioxide on the gene expression of tissue of tadpoles tailfin was investigated after 48 h of incubation.

Windeatt & Handy (2013:
test organism: Carcinus maenas; The effect of titanium dioxide on the single action potential of nerve cells of frogs was investigated by in vitro testing.

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Titanium dioxide

EC Number:

236-675-5

EC Name:

Titanium dioxide

Cas Number:

13463-67-7

Molecular formula:

O2Ti

IUPAC Name:

dioxotitanium

Test material form:

solid: bulk

Details on test material:

- Name of tested material:
Windeatt & Handy (2013: titanium dioxide (ACROS, USA, anatase/rutile 75/25)
Hammond et al. (2013): Titanium dioxide (TIONA AT-1, Christal Global, Belgium, anatase)

- Particle size:
Windeatt & Handy (2013: 134.1 ± 42.5 nm
Hammond et al. (2013): 200-220 nm

- Purity:
Windeatt & Handy (2013: 98.0 - 105 %
Hammond et al. (2013): 98.5 %

Sampling and analysis

Details on sampling:

Analytical confirmation of test concentration:
Windeatt & Handy (2013: no
Hammond et al. (2013): no

Test organisms

Aquatic vertebrate type (other than fish):

other: Windeatt & Handy (2013: crab, Hammond et al. (2013): frog

Test organisms (species):

other: see below

Details on test organisms:

TEST ANIMALS
- test organism:
Windeatt & Handy (2013: Carcinus maenas
Hammond et al. (2013): Rana catesbeiana

Study design

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Remarks on exposure duration:

Windeatt & Handy (2013: at least 5 stimulations; Hammond et al. (2013): 48 h

Test conditions

Nominal and measured concentrations:

Windeatt & Handy (2013): 0 (control 1 and 2), 1 mg TiO2 NP/L
Hammond et al. (2013): 0 (control), 0.1, 1.0, and 10 nM TiO2

Results and discussion

Effect concentrations

Effect concentrations 1

Conc. based on:

other:

Remarks on result:

other: Windeatt & Handy (2013: no significant effects were observed

Effect concentrations 2

Conc. based on:

other:

Remarks on result:

other: Hammond et al. (2013): effects on gene expression were observed

Any other information on results incl. tables

All studies have methodological shortcomings so that reported effects cannot be considered reliable and/or relevant for the risk assessment as follows:

Windeatt & Handy (2013): single concentration was tested, in vitro testing of isolated nerve cells is no relevant examination

Hammond et al. (2013):in vitro testing of isolated tissue is no relevant examination

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

All studies have methodological shortcomings so that reported effects cannot be considered reliable.