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Ecotoxicological information

Toxicity to terrestrial arthropods

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Description of key information

No experimental data available. Considering all relevant information available, toxicity to terrestrial arthropods is not expected.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Additional information

In accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006, Annex X, Column 2, 9.4 further studies on the effects on terrestrial organisms do not have to be conducted since the chemical safety assessment indicates that there is no need. The terrestrial toxicity of Fatty acids, C8-10, octyl esters has been assessed on the basis of experimental toxicity data for earthworm Eisenia fetida tested with isopropyl myristate (CAS 110-27-0). No mortality was observed during the 14-day exposure period at the test concentration of 20,000 mg/kg. Additionally, data is available on tests with terrestrial plants for the substance Fatty acids, C16-18 and C18-unsaturated, 2-ethylhexyl esters (CAS 85049-37-2). The 21-day NOEC value was 100 mg/kg for all plants tested, and EC50 values between 390 and 600 mg/kg are reported.

Based on the available data, the terrestrial toxicity of Fatty acids, C8-10, octyl esters is considered to be very low. Additionally, the substance is not expected to remain in the terrestrial environment, due to ready biodegradation. Bioaccumulation is not likely due to rapid metabolism. Esters of primary alcohols, containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, with fatty acids, containing from 2 to 18 carbon atoms, are hydrolysed by pancreatic lipases. Measured rates of enzyme catalysed hydrolysis varied between 2 and 5 µeq/min/mg enzyme for the different chain lengths (Mattson and Volpenhein, 1969). The resulting free fatty acids and alcohols are absorbed from the intestine into the blood stream. Fatty acids are either metabolised via the beta-oxidation pathway in order to generate energy for the cell or reconstituted into glyceride esters and stored in the fat depots in the body (Berg et al. 2002). The alcohols are metabolised primarily in the liver through a series of oxidative steps, finally yielding carbon dioxide.

Based on this information, toxicity to terrestrial arthropods is not expected to be of concern, and consequently, no further testing is required.