Clorofene

Toxicity to birds

Description of key information

LD50 (14 d): > 2510 mg a.i./kg dw (Acute oral toxicity, US-EPA FIFRA Guideline (1), Bobwhite quail, Beavers 1983)

NOEC (14 d): 631 mg a.i./kg dw (Acute oral toxicity, US-EPA FIFRA Guideline (1), Bobwhite quail, Beavers 1983)

LC50 (5 d treatment, 3 d recovery): > 5620 mg a.i./kg feed (Subacute dietary, US-EPA FIFRA Guideline E(1,2), Anas platyrgynchos, Beavers, 1984

NOEC (5 d treatment, 3 d recovery): 562 mg a.i./kg feed (Body weight gain, US-EPA FIFRA Guideline E(1,2), Anas platyrgynchos, Beavers, 1984

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Long-term EC10, LC10 or NOEC for birds:

562 mg/kg food

Additional information

One study was performed investigating the acute toxic effects of the test item Chlorophene (CAS 120-32-1) on birds. Groups of ten adult Bobwhite quails (Colinus virginianus), five males and five females, were assigned randomly to each of the five treatment groups (398, 631, 1000, 1590 and 2510 mg a.i./kg bw) and to the control group (Beavers, 1983). Following test initiation until termination all birds were observed daily for mortality and signs of toxicity. Body weight and feed consumption were recorded on day 0 (study initiation), day 3, day 7 and day 14 (study termination). The test was performed according to US-EPA Guidelines, FIFRA Subdivision E (1) and the results can be considered as valid. No bird died in the control. One bird each were found dead in treatment groups receiving ≥ 1590 mg a.i./kg bw. Treatment related symptoms like reduced reaction to external stimuli, loss of coordinationand ruffled appearance were observed in levels ≥ 1000 mg a.i./kg bw. The acute oral LD50 was determined to be > 2510 mg a.i./kg bw, the highest concentration tested.

A subacute dietary toxicity test with Mallard duck has been performed according to US-EPA FIFRA Guideline E(1,2) to investigate subacute effects of chlorophene on birds (Beavers, 1984) and can be considered as valid.

9 days old Mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) were fed nominal dietary levels of 562, 1000, 1780, 3160 and 5620 mg a.i./kg feed. Five control groups received a diet prepared with the same amount of carrier (corn-oil) and solvent (acetone) as the treated diets. After 5-day treatment, birds were given an untreated basal diet for a 3-day recovery period. Mortality, clinical symptoms, body weight changes and feed consumption were recorded during the 5-day exposure and the 3-day post exposure period. All birds of the control group were normal in appearance and behaviour throughout the test period and no mortalities occurred. One bird was found dead at the 562 mg a.i./kg feed concentration on Day 4. No other mortality occurred at any concentration and no overt symptoms of toxicity were observed during the course of the study. This mortality was considered incidental, and does not appear to be treatment related. At concentration levels greater than 562 mg a.i./kg feed, there was a reduction in body weight gain and a slight reduction in feed consumption during the Day 6 through 8 observation phase. As no treatment related effects of mortality are observed at any concentration tested, the subacute dietary LC50 of chlorophene is > 5620 mg a.i./kg feed. Based on the body weight gain, the NOEC is determined to be 562 mg a.i./kg feed.