Tetraesters of pentaerythritol with 2-ethylhexanoic acid and heptanoic acid and nonanoic acid

Endpoint summary

Additional information

There are no data available investigating the aquatic toxicity of Tetraesters of pentaerythritol with 2-ethylhexanoic acid, heptanoic acid and nonanoic acid (EC 806-879-4). In order to fulfil the standard information requirements, in accordance with Annex XI, 1.5, of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, read-across from structurally related substances was conducted.

In accordance with Article 13 (1) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, "information on intrinsic properties of substances may be generated by means other than tests, provided that the conditions set out in Annex XI are met.” In particular for aquatic toxicity, information shall be generated whenever possible by means other than vertebrate animal tests, which includes the use of information from structurally related substances (grouping or read-across).

Having regard to the general rules for grouping of substances and read-across approach laid down in Annex XI, Item 1.5, of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 whereby substances may be predicted as similar provided that their physicochemical, toxicological and ecotoxicological properties are likely to be similar or follow a regular pattern as a result of structural similarity. The source substances Carboxylic acids, C5-9, tetraesters with pentaerythritol (CAS 67762-53-2), Decanoic acid, mixed esters with heptanoic acid, octanoic acid, pentaerythritol and valeric acid (CAS 71010-76-9) and Hexanoic acid, 2-ethyl-, pentaerythritol tetraester (CAS 7299-99-2) are considered to be similar on the basis of the structural similar properties and/or activities. The available endpoint information on the source substances is used to predict the aquatic toxicity of the target substanceTetraesters of pentaerythritol with 2-ethylhexanoic acid, heptanoic acid and nonanoic acid (EC 806-879-4).

The target substance is characterized as a tetraester of pentaerythritol and different fatty acids (C7, C9 and 2-ethylhexanoic acid). Carboxylic acids, C5-9, tetraesters with pentaerythritol is characterized as a tetraester of C5/C9 with pentaerythritol. Decanoic acid, mixed esters with heptanoic acid, octanoic acid, pentaerythritol and valeric acid is a tetraester of C5/C7/C9/C10 with pentaerythritol whereas Hexanoic acid, 2-ethyl-, pentaerythritol tetraester covers the content of 2-ethylhexanoic acid present in the target substance (2-ethylhexanoic acid tetraester with pentaerythritol).All selected source substances are representative for the target substance as they are all constituents of the target substance. They only differ slightly in their specification. However, none of the selected source substances contains any functional group which might change the overall mode of action and toxicity. A detailed analogue approach justification is provided in the technical dossier (see IUCLID Section 13).

All available experimental data on the source substances performed according to internationally accepted guidelines indicate no evidence of acute and chronic toxicity to aquatic organisms. Data for all three trophic levels are available. No toxicity was observed up to the limit of water solubility in all available experimental studies. The water solubility of the target substance was determined to be < 0.15 mg/L at 20 °C.
The short-term toxicity to fish was determined in standard OECD or Japanese guidelines from suitable read-across substances. No mortality was observed after 96 h resulting in effect values > the limit test concentration (i.e. above the water solubility limit). The same was recorded for the toxicity to aquatic algae. No inhibition of growth of aquatic algae was observed in an experimental study according to Japanese standard guidelines up to the limit of water solubility. Due to the low water solubility, long-term testing to aquatic invertebrates was considered to be necessary to assess the aquatic toxicity. The available studies performed with suitable source substances resulted in a NOELR/NOEC (21 d) ≥ 100 mg/L (nominal) and ≥ 0.0132 mg/L (measured time weighted average) indicating no effects on reproduction up to the limit of water solubility. Long-term toxicity testing to fish was not considered to be necessary since there was no evidence from the available data that fish are more sensitive compared to aquatic invertebrates. No toxicity to fish was observed in the available acute tests. Thus, in order to avoid unnecessary vertebrate testing, no long-term testing with fish was proposed.
The degradation process in commercial sewage treatment plants is not suspected to be inhibited by the target substance. One available study performed with activated sludge from a sewage treatment plant did not indicate a risk since respiration of activated sludge microorganisms was not inhibited. 

Based on the result from structurally related read-across substances (in accordance to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 Annex XI, 1.5) it can be concluded that Tetraesters of pentaerythritol with 2-ethylhexanoic acid, heptanoic acid and nonanoic acid (EC 806-879-4) exhibits no toxic effects on freshwater organisms up to the limit of the water solubility. As it can be seen in the data matrix of the analogue justification in IUCLID Section 13, all reliable data from the target and the source substances support the read-across by showing a consistent pattern of results.