Sulfuric acid, C10-12 (even numbered)-alkyl esters, sodium salts

Endpoint summary

Additional information

No study on genetic toxicity is available for C10-12AS Na (CAS 85049-86-1). To assess the mutagenic potential on bacterial cells in vitro a read across to structurally related alkyl sulfate (AS), i.e. C8AS Na (CAS 142-31-4) and C12AS Na (CAS 151-21-3) was performed. To assess the mutagenic potential on mammalian cells in vitro a read across to structurally related alkyl sulfate (AS), i.e. C8isoAS Na (CAS 126-92-1) and C12AS Na (CAS 151-21-3) was performed. The possibility of a read-across to other alkyl sulfates in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 Annex XI 1.5. Grouping of substances and read-across approach was assessed. In Annex XI 1.5 it is given that a read-across approach is possible for substances, whose physicochemical, toxicological and ecotoxicological properties are likely to be similar or follow a regular pattern as a result of structural similarity. The AS reported within the AS category show structural similarity. The most important common structural feature of the category members is the presence of a predominantly linear aliphatic hydrocarbon chain with a polar sulfate group, neutralized with a counter ion. This structural feature confers the surfactant properties of the alkyl sulfates. The surfactant property of the members of the AS category in turn represent the predominant attribute in mediating effects on mammalian health. Therefore, the AS of the AS category have similar physico-chemical, environmental and toxicological properties, validating the read across approach within the category. The approach of grouping different AS for the evaluation of their effects on human health and the environment was also made by the OECD in the SIDS initial assessment profile [1] and by a voluntary industry programme carrying out Human and Environmental Risk Assessments (HERA [2]) further supporting the read across approach between structurally related AS.

In vitro mutagenicity of C8AS Na (CAS 142-31-4)

In the study, performed according to OECD Guideline 471, Salmonella typhimurium strains TA 1535, TA 1537, TA 98, TA 1538 and TA 100 were treated with C8 AS Na (CAS 142-31-4, analytical purity 40%) in presence and absence of metabolic activation. The tester strains TA 102 or E.coli WP2 were not used during the conduct of the study (Banduhn, 1989). The concentrations tested were 8, 40, 200, 1000 and 5000 µg/plate in both experiments. Results achieved with negative control (untreated and medium), vehicle (water) and positive controls were valid. Cytotoxicity was observed at 5000 µg/plate. No genotoxicity was observed.

In vitro mutagenicity of C8isoAS Na (CAS 126-92-1)

The potential of C8isoAS Na (CAS 126-92-1, no data on analytical purity) to induce genotoxicity in mammalian cells in vitro was assessed in a study conducted according to OECD guideline 476 using the mouse lymphoma L5178Y cells with and without metabolic activation (McGregor, 1991). The study comprised of 4 trials with and without metabolic activation. The concentrations tested in the absence of metabolic activation were 156.25, 312.5, 625, 1250, 2500 µg/mL (Trial 1); 200, 1000, 1800, 2600, 3400, 4200 µg/mL (Trial 2); 1000, 1800, 2600, 3400, 4200 µg/mL (Trial 3) and 1000, 1800, 2600, 3400, 4200, 5000 µg/mL (Trial 4). The concentrations tested in the presence of metabolic activation were 200, 1000, 1800, 2600, 3400, 4200 µg/mL (Trial 1), 1000, 1800, 2600, 3400, 4200 µg/mL (Trial 2&3) and2600, 3000, 3400, 3800, 4200 µg/mL (Trial 4). No treatment related increased mutation frequencies were observed in three of four trials without S9 mix. However, in trial 3, all concentrations showing no marked cytotoxicity were associated with significantly increased mutation frequencies in the absence of metabolic activation. There was no reasonable explanation for this striking result of trial 3. In trial 1 without metabolic activation a statistically significant increased mutation frequency occurred at a single concentration level. At higher concentrations no increased mutation frequencies were observed within this trial. Taken together no increased mutation frequency was evidenced when L5178Y cells were exposed to the test substance without metabolic activation. In the presence of metabolic activation no increased mutation frequencies were observed. In two trials the top dose of 4200 µg/L produced marked cytotoxicity. Therefore also no increased mutation frequency was evidenced when L5178Y cells were exposed to the test substance with metabolic activation.

In vitro cytogenicity of C8isoAS Na (CAS 126-92-1)

The potential of C8isoAS Na (CAS 126-92-1, analytical purity 39.6%) to induce chromosomal aberration in a mammalian cell line was investigated similar to OECD guideline 473 using Chinese hamster Ovary cells with and without metabolic activation (Loveday, 1990). The test concentrations were 501, 1500 and 5010 µg/L. Results achieved with the vehicle (water) and positive controls were valid. No cytotoxicity was observed in presence and absence of metabolic activation. However the test was conducted up to the limit concentration of 5000 µg/L. No enhanced chromosome aberration was observed under any conditions of the study.

In vitro mutagenicity of C12AS Na (CAS 151-21-3)

In the study, performed according to OECD Guideline 471, Salmonella typhimurium strains TA 1535, TA 1537, TA 98, TA 1538 and TA 100 were treated with C12AS Na (CAS 151-21-3) in presence and absence of metabolic activation. The tester strains TA 102 or E.coli WP2 were not used during the conduct of the study (Banduhn, 1988). The concentrations tested were 8, 40, 200, 1000 and 5000 µg/plate in the first experiment as well as 5, 10, 20, 40, 80 µg/plate (-S9 mix) and 2.5, 10, 40, 160, 640 µg/plate (+S9 mix) in the second experiment. Results achieved with negative control (untreated), vehicle (water) and positive controls were valid. Cytotoxicity was observed already at 200 µg/plate. No genotoxicity was observed.

The mutagenicity of C12AS Na (CAS 151-21-3, no data on analytical purity) in a mammalian cell line was investigated similar to OECD guideline 476 using the mouse lymphoma L5178Y cells with and without metabolic activation (McGregor, 1988). The test concentrations were 3.125, 6.25, 10, 12.5, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 80 and 100 µg/mL without and 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90 and 95 µg/mL with metabolic activation. Results achieved with the negative (untreated), vehicle (DMSO) and positive controls were valid. Cytotoxicity was observed in presence and absence of metabolic activation while no genotoxicity was observed under both circumstances for C12AS Na (CAS 151-21-3).

In vivo cytogenicity of C12AS Na (CAS 151-21-3)

The potential of C12AS Na (CAS 151-21-3) to induce in vivo chromosomal aberration was assessed in a study comparable to the dominant lethal test with CD-1 mouse (Unilever, 1976). The test substance was administered via gavage at doses of 120, 380 and 1200 mg/kg bw to a total of 225 males. Each male was caged with 2 virgin females for 7 days. Thereafter males were caged with another two virgin females for 7 days. This was repeated another 6 times. The males were not further examined. Females were sacrificed 13 days after the assumed date of fertilization, i.e.15 or 16 days after caging females with male and the frequency of early death, frequency of pregnancy and number of implantations was assessed. No adverse effects on and the frequency of early death, frequency of pregnancy and number of implantations occurred. Thus the test substance did not show clastogenicity at doses of 120, 380 and 1200.

 

In conclusion, the substances did not show any genotoxic potential. This is supported by the conclusions of the HERA Draft report “AS are not genotoxic, mutagenic or carcinogenic…” [2] and the conclusions of the SIDS initial assessment profile “Alkyl sulfates of different chain length and with different counter ions were not mutagenic in standard bacterial and mammalian cell systems [...]. There was also no indication for a genotoxic potential of alkyl sulfates in various in vivo studies on mice […].” [1].

[1] SIDS initial assessment profile, (2007);
http://www.aciscience.org/docs/Alkyl_Sulfates_Final_SIAP.pdf

[2] (HERA Draft report, 2002);
http://www.heraproject.com/files/3-HH-04-%20HERA%20AS%20HH%20web%20wd.pdf

Justification for selection of genetic toxicity endpoint
No study selected as all studies were negative.

Short description of key information:
In vitro gene mutation:
Bacterial reverse mutation assay (Ames test / OECD guideline 471): negative
In vitro mammalian chromosome aberration test (CA / OECD guideline 473): negative
In vitro mammalian cell gene mutation assay (MLA / OECD guideline 476): negative

In vivo clastogenicity:
In vivo study comparable to the dominant lethal test (DLA / OECD guideline 478): negative

Endpoint Conclusion: No adverse effect observed (negative)

Justification for classification or non-classification

According to the classification criteria of Directive 67/548/EEC and Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 the substance does not need to be classified for genotoxicity.