L-Aspartic acid, N,N'-1,2-ethanediylbis-

Long-term toxicity to fish

Description of key information

In a GLP study conducted according to OECD Guideline 210, the effect on hatching, survival and the occurrence of egg and larval malformations following exposure to trisodium EDDS in the freshwater Zebra fish, Brachydanio rerio, was investigated. At nominal concentrations of 348 mg/L and above, growth (measured as dry weight) was significantly retarded for the surviving fish, but no effects on growth were seen at 196 mg/L (considered the 30-d NOEC for such effects) and below. The 30-d NOEC for mortality and condition was 61 mg/L. 

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Fresh water fish

Fresh water fish

Effect concentration:

61 mg/L

Additional information

In a GLP study conducted according to OECD Guideline 210, the influence of trisodium EDDS on hatching, survival and the occurrence of egg and larval malformations in the fresh water fish, Brachydanio rerio, were investigated. The test was started with a number of 4 x 20 eggs at each test concentration and the exposure duration was 30 d. The test was carried out as a semi-static test, with replacement of the test solutions and control media every 48 h. The nominal concentrations of trisodium EDDS tested were 0, 35, 61, 109, 196, 348, 610 and 1089 mg/L. During the test, samples were taken from the control and the newly prepared test media and after 48 h from the same spent media and from the stock solutions.

At day 6, all eggs (except one egg at a nominal test substance concentration of 348 mg/L and one dead egg at 1089 mg/L) were ultimately hatched into healthy larvae without visible malformations, however, at the measured concentrations above 196 mg/L some eggs hatched with a small delay during this 6-d period. At the end of the test, one out of eighty test animals was dead in the control and there was a significant effect (p = 0.05) with respect to survival at 109 mg/L and above (except at 348 mg/L). At measured concentrations of 61 mg/L, there was no significant effect on survival. In the control media and at the concentrations of up to 61 mg/L the surviving larvae swam and fed actively during the exposure period and no malformations were noted during the test, except a few fish in the control and in the lower concentrations were small (these were considered to be incidental cases and were not taken into account for the estimation of the NOEC and LOEC).

At 348 mg/L and above, growth (measured as dry weight) was significantly retarded for the surviving fish, but no effects on growth were seen at 196 mg/L (considered the 30-d NOEC for such affects) and below. The 30-d NOEC for mortality and condition was 61 mg/L (Hooftman and van Drongelen-Sevenhuijsen, 1997).

No data in marine fish are currently available for EDDS acid or its trisodium salt.

[Data on trisodium EDDS is considered relevant to use for understanding the potential toxicity to fish of EDDS acid, and is acceptable for using as read-across information].