Acrylaldehyde

Toxicity to terrestrial arthropods

Description of key information

fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster: 4-h LC50=82.17-406.03 mg/l (exposure to an aqueous solution of acrolein on a petri dish; resultsdepending on the strain and the gender of the animals )
Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Trilobium castaneum, Sitophilus oryzae, and Rhyzopertha dominica (arthropds adult stage): 
24h-LC50=1.87 to 6.7 mg/l
arthropds eggs/juvenile stage: 24h LC100=80 mg/l

Additional information

1. European Union Risk Assessment Report of Acrolein (EU, 2001)

There are no data cited in the European Risk Assessment Report for the toxicity of acrolein to terrestrial arthropods.

2. Agreement with further international Reports and Studies published after finalisation of the EU Risk Assessment Report 2001  

None

3. Substantial disagreements in comparison to further international Reports to European Union Risk Assessment Report 2001

None

4. Additional aspects in further international Reports

WHO (2002): A 4-h LC₅₀ exceeding 4606 mg/litre following exposure to an aqueous solution of acrolein on a petri dish is reported for the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster. A review of the original literature cited in the WHO-reports shows that the 4h-LC50 values are in the range of 82.17 to 406.03 mg/litre, depending on the strain and the gender of the animals.

5. Additional information in newer Studies, not included in the European Union Risk Assessment Report 2001 or further cited international reports

The suitability of acrolein as a fumigation agent to protect stored crops against insects was assessed. Adult animals of the species Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Trilobium castaneum, Sitophilus oryzae, and Rhyzopertha dominica were exposed to acrolein under laboratory conditions in 1150 mL glass jars. Dosages of acrolein were deposited on a blotting paper strip located in the centre of the lid of the test containers. The fumigation was terminated after 24 h, the mortality of the animals was assessed 24h after termination. Two different experiments were made: In an ‘Empty-space test’ animals were exposed in cages that were placed in test containers. In a ‘Penetration test’ the test containers were additionally filled with wheat to simulate storage conditions e.g. in granaries.

In the ‘Empty-space test’ the 24h-LC50 were 1.87 mg/L (O. surinamensis), 6.7 mg/L (T. castaneum), 2.4 mg/L (S. oryzae), and 3.1 mg/L (R. dominica). In the ‘Penetration test’ the 24h-LC50 11.9 mg/L (O. surinamensis), 30.2 mg/L mg/L (T. castaneum), 14.8 mg/L (S. oryzae), and 22.4 mg/L (R. dominica).

In a third test wheat containing eggs, larvae and pupae of  S. oryzae and R. dominicawere fumigated in glass jars with acrolein for 24 h. Within 8 weeks after fumigation no adults of S. oryzae and R. dominica emerged from wheat that had been exposed to acrolein at the rate of 80 mg/L.

All effect values are expressed as test concentrations dropped on the blotting paper strips. No information is available about the concentration of fumigated acrolein in the air.

6. Conclusions

The 4-h LC₅₀ for the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster, which is the only invertebrate tested, exceeded 4606 mg/litre following exposure to an aqueous solution of acrolein on a petri dish. A review of the original literature cited in the WHO-reports shows that the 4h-LC50 values are in the range of 82.17 to 406.03 mg/litre, depending on the strain and the gender of the animals.

The 24h-LC50 in a fumigation test were in the range of 1.87 to 6.7 mg/L for Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Trilobium castaneum, Sitophilus oryzae, and Rhyzopertha dominica. The animals were also fumigated in presence of wheat, the resulting 24h-LC50s were in the range of  11.9 to 30.2 mg/L. Within 8 weeks after fumigation no adults of S. oryzae and R. dominica emerged from wheat containing eggs, larvae and pupae of  S. oryzae and R. dominica after fumigation for 24h with 80 mg/L. As no information is available about the concentration of fumigated acrolein in the air (effect values are expressed as test concentrations dropped on the blotting paper strips inserted in the test containers) these results are used for supportive information.