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EC number: 205-861-8 | CAS number: 156-62-7
- Life Cycle description
- Uses advised against
- Endpoint summary
- Appearance / physical state / colour
- Melting point / freezing point
- Boiling point
- Density
- Particle size distribution (Granulometry)
- Vapour pressure
- Partition coefficient
- Water solubility
- Solubility in organic solvents / fat solubility
- Surface tension
- Flash point
- Auto flammability
- Flammability
- Explosiveness
- Oxidising properties
- Oxidation reduction potential
- Stability in organic solvents and identity of relevant degradation products
- Storage stability and reactivity towards container material
- Stability: thermal, sunlight, metals
- pH
- Dissociation constant
- Viscosity
- Additional physico-chemical information
- Additional physico-chemical properties of nanomaterials
- Nanomaterial agglomeration / aggregation
- Nanomaterial crystalline phase
- Nanomaterial crystallite and grain size
- Nanomaterial aspect ratio / shape
- Nanomaterial specific surface area
- Nanomaterial Zeta potential
- Nanomaterial surface chemistry
- Nanomaterial dustiness
- Nanomaterial porosity
- Nanomaterial pour density
- Nanomaterial photocatalytic activity
- Nanomaterial radical formation potential
- Nanomaterial catalytic activity
- Endpoint summary
- Stability
- Biodegradation
- Bioaccumulation
- Transport and distribution
- Environmental data
- Additional information on environmental fate and behaviour
- Ecotoxicological Summary
- Aquatic toxicity
- Endpoint summary
- Short-term toxicity to fish
- Long-term toxicity to fish
- Short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates
- Long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates
- Toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria
- Toxicity to aquatic plants other than algae
- Toxicity to microorganisms
- Endocrine disrupter testing in aquatic vertebrates – in vivo
- Toxicity to other aquatic organisms
- Sediment toxicity
- Terrestrial toxicity
- Biological effects monitoring
- Biotransformation and kinetics
- Additional ecotoxological information
- Toxicological Summary
- Toxicokinetics, metabolism and distribution
- Acute Toxicity
- Irritation / corrosion
- Sensitisation
- Repeated dose toxicity
- Genetic toxicity
- Carcinogenicity
- Toxicity to reproduction
- Specific investigations
- Exposure related observations in humans
- Toxic effects on livestock and pets
- Additional toxicological data
Long-term toxicity to fish
Administrative data
Link to relevant study record(s)
- Endpoint:
- adult fish: sub(lethal) effects
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- key study
- Study period:
- 1990
- Reliability:
- 1 (reliable without restriction)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- guideline study
- Qualifier:
- according to guideline
- Guideline:
- OECD Guideline 204 (Fish, Prolonged Toxicity Test: 14-day Study)
- Deviations:
- no
- Qualifier:
- according to guideline
- Guideline:
- other: U.S. EPA-FIFRA, 40 CFR, Section 158.145, Guideline 72-1.
- Deviations:
- no
- GLP compliance:
- yes
- Analytical monitoring:
- yes
- Details on sampling:
- Analytical verification of the aqueous solution of Cyanamide was made on test solutions sampled on days 0, 1, 4, 7, 10, 14 and 21 of the study.
- Vehicle:
- no
- Details on test solutions:
- Not indicated
- Test organisms (species):
- Oncorhynchus mykiss (previous name: Salmo gairdneri)
- Details on test organisms:
- Not indicated
- Test type:
- flow-through
- Water media type:
- freshwater
- Limit test:
- no
- Total exposure duration:
- 21 d
- Post exposure observation period:
- No post exposure observation
- Hardness:
- not indicated
- Test temperature:
- 14°C- 16°C
- pH:
- All chemical and physical parameters (dissolved oxygen concentration, pH, temperature) in the definitive test were within expected ranges.
- Dissolved oxygen:
- All chemical and physical parameters (dissolved oxygen concentration, pH, temperature) in the definitive test were within expected ranges.
- Salinity:
- Freshwater
- Nominal and measured concentrations:
- Nominal test substance concentrations of 1.9, 3.8, 7.5, 15.0 and 30.0 mg of a 49 % (w/w) aqueous solution of cyanamide/L (equivalent to 0.93, 1.9, 3.7, 7.4 and 15.0 mg as/L).
Mean measured concentrations of the 49 % (w/w) aqueous solution of cyanamide were 1.9, 3.6, 7.5, 15.0 and 30.0 mg/L (equivalent to 0.95, 1.8, 3.7, 7.2 and 15.0 mg as/L) and ranged from 99 ± 2.2 % of nominal concentrations. - Details on test conditions:
- Test solutions were supplied to each replicate test chamber by a continuous flow metering system at a rate of approximately 1 L at an average rate of 8.5 times per hour. Test solutions were maintained between 14 and 16 °C. Temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH were measured in the control and in the low, middle and high concentrations on days 0, 1, 4, 7, 10, 14, 18 and 21 of the study. The samples of the test medium were analysed by UV-VIS spectrophotometer. Daily observations were made for behavioural/sublethal effects.
- Reference substance (positive control):
- no
- Duration:
- 21 d
- Dose descriptor:
- LC50
- Effect conc.:
- 11.8 mg/L
- Nominal / measured:
- meas. (initial)
- Conc. based on:
- act. ingr.
- Basis for effect:
- mortality
- Duration:
- 21 d
- Dose descriptor:
- NOEC
- Effect conc.:
- 3.7 mg/L
- Nominal / measured:
- meas. (initial)
- Conc. based on:
- act. ingr.
- Basis for effect:
- other: lack of sublethal effects
- Details on results:
- Mortality occurred in the 30.0 mg/L treatment. One fish got lost in the 7.5 mg/L treatment in the period between day 18 and 21. One fish in the control chamber was found dead on day 21. This mortality was believed to be an aberration since all fish appeared to be normal on day 20 in this chamber.
Sublethal/behavioural responses (e.g. dark discoloration, laboured respiration, loss of equilibrium, quiescence, fish on bottom of aquaria, flared gills, surfacing and vertical orientation) were noted in the 15 and 30 mg/L test levels - Results with reference substance (positive control):
- No positive control
- Reported statistics and error estimates:
- Not indicated
- Validity criteria fulfilled:
- not specified
- Conclusions:
- In the trout flow-through test the 21 day LC50 was calculated to be 24.0 mg of a 49 % (w/w) aqueous solution of cyanamide/L based on the mean measured concentrations (equivalent to 11.8 mg as/L). The 21-day NOEC was 7.5 mg/L, based on mean measured concentrations and a lack of sublethal effects after 21 days (equivalent to 3.7 mg as/L). The mean measured concentrations are nearly identical to the nominal concentrations.
- Executive summary:
The effects of a 49 % (w/w) aqueous solution of cyanamide on Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were determined under flow-through conditions for 21 days. A water control and nominal test substance concentrations of 1.9, 3.8, 7.5, 15.0 and 30.0 mg of a 49 % (w/w) aqueous solution of cyanamide/L (equivalent to 0.93, 1.9, 3.7, 7.4 and 15.0 mg as/L) were used during the study. A total of 20 trout per concentration were used. Analytical verification of the aqueous solution of cyanamide was made on test solutions sampled on days 0, 1, 4, 7, 10, 14 and 21 of the study. Test solutions were supplied to each replicate test chamber by a continuous flow metering system at a rate of approximately 1 L at an average rate of 8.5 times per hour. Test solutions were maintained between 14 and 16 °C. Temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH were measured in the control and in the low, middle and high concentrations on days 0, 1, 4, 7, 10, 14, 18 and 21 of the study. The samples of the test medium were analysed by UV-VIS spectrophotometer. Daily observations were made for behavioural/sublethal effects. All chemical and physical parameters (dissolved oxygen concentration, pH, temperature) in the definitive test were within expected ranges. Mean measured concentrations of the 49 % (w/w) aqueous solution of cyanamide were 1.9, 3.6, 7.5, 15.0 and 30.0 mg/L (equivalent to 0.95, 1.8, 3.7, 7.2 and 15.0 mg as/L) and ranged from 99 ± 2.2 % of nominal concentrations. In the test medium the test item was sufficiently stable during the test period of 21 d. Mortality occurred in the 30.0 mg/L treatment. One fish got lost in the 7.5 mg/L treatment in the period between day 18 and 21. One fish in the control chamber was found dead on day 21. This mortality was believed to be an aberration since all fish appeared to be normal on day 20 in this chamber. Sublethal/behavioural responses (e.g. dark discoloration, laboured respiration, loss of equilibrium, quiescence, fish on bottom of aquaria, flared gills, surfacing and vertical orientation) were noted in the 15 and 30 mg/L test levels. In the trout flow-through test the 21 day LC50 was calculated to be 24.0 mg of a 49 % (w/w) aqueous solution of cyanamide/L based on the mean measured concentrations (equivalent to 11.8 mg as/L). The 21-day NOEC was 7.5 mg/L, based on mean measured concentrations and a lack of sublethal effects after 21 days (equivalent to 3.7 mg as/L). The mean measured concentrations are nearly identical to the nominal concentrations.
- Endpoint:
- adult fish: sub(lethal) effects
- Type of information:
- read-across from supporting substance (structural analogue or surrogate)
- Adequacy of study:
- key study
- Justification for type of information:
- Upon dissolution in water calcium cyanamide is fast transformed to hydrogen cyanamide.
Therefore, ecotoxicity in natural aquatic environments can be expressed in terms of cyanamide, irrespective of the substance constituting the exposure source. This is supported by experimental results: After stoichiometric correction of test concentrations, toxic effect values of cyanamide and calcium cyanamide are very similar in all standard test organisms. Thus, read-across from cyanamide to calcium cyanamide is justified for aquatic environmental endpoints.
For agricultural applications, calcium cyanamide is formulated as granules (PERLKA) that only slowly dissolve in a soil environment. Exposure of the aquatic environment will be exclusively due to runoff from agricultural fields. As above, cyanamide is the chemical moiety relevant for exposure due to rapid transformation from calcium cyanamide to cyanamide.
(Please note: direct release of the product to surface waters is strictly advised against, thus not a relevant exposure pathway.)
For detailled description where read across is used/recommended and where it is preferrable to refain from read across, please see section 13.2 "read across justification for environmental endpoints" and "Scientific rationale for not using cyanamide as read-across substance for calcium cyanamide on toxicological endpoints" - Reason / purpose for cross-reference:
- read-across source
- Duration:
- 21 d
- Dose descriptor:
- LC50
- Effect conc.:
- 11.8 mg/L
- Nominal / measured:
- meas. (initial)
- Conc. based on:
- act. ingr.
- Basis for effect:
- mortality
- Duration:
- 21 d
- Dose descriptor:
- NOEC
- Effect conc.:
- 3.7 mg/L
- Nominal / measured:
- meas. (initial)
- Conc. based on:
- act. ingr.
- Basis for effect:
- other: lack of sublethal effects
- Details on results:
- Mortality occurred in the 30.0 mg/L treatment. One fish got lost in the 7.5 mg/L treatment in the period between day 18 and 21. One fish in the control chamber was found dead on day 21. This mortality was believed to be an aberration since all fish appeared to be normal on day 20 in this chamber.
Sublethal/behavioural responses (e.g. dark discoloration, laboured respiration, loss of equilibrium, quiescence, fish on bottom of aquaria, flared gills, surfacing and vertical orientation) were noted in the 15 and 30 mg/L test levels - Results with reference substance (positive control):
- No positive control
- Reported statistics and error estimates:
- Not indicated
- Validity criteria fulfilled:
- not specified
- Conclusions:
- In the trout flow-through test the 21 day LC50 was calculated to be 24.0 mg of a 49 % (w/w) aqueous solution of cyanamide/L based on the mean measured concentrations (equivalent to 11.8 mg as/L). The 21-day NOEC was 7.5 mg/L, based on mean measured concentrations and a lack of sublethal effects after 21 days (equivalent to 3.7 mg as/L). The mean measured concentrations are nearly identical to the nominal concentrations.
Upon dissolution in water calcium cyanamide is fast transformed to hydrogen cyanamide.
Therefore, ecotoxicity in natural aquatic environments can be expressed in terms of cyanamide, irrespective of the substance constituting the exposure source. This is supported by experimental results: After stoichiometric correction of test concentrations, toxic effect values of cyanamide and calcium cyanamide are very similar in all standard test organisms. Thus, read-across from cyanamide to calcium cyanamide is justified for aquatic environmental endpoints.
For agricultural applications, calcium cyanamide is formulated as granules (PERLKA) that only slowly dissolve in a soil environment. Exposure of the aquatic environment will be exclusively due to runoff from agricultural fields. As above, cyanamide is the chemical moiety relevant for exposure due to rapid transformation from calcium cyanamide to cyanamide.
(Please note: direct release of the product to surface waters is strictly advised against, thus not a relevant exposure pathway.)
For detailled description where read across is used/recommended and where it is preferrable to refain from read across, please see section 13.2 "read across justification for environmental endpoints" and "Scientific rationale for not using cyanamide as read-across substance for calcium cyanamide on toxicological endpoints" - Executive summary:
The effects of a 49 % (w/w) aqueous solution of cyanamide on Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were determined under flow-through conditions for 21 days. A water control and nominal test substance concentrations of 1.9, 3.8, 7.5, 15.0 and 30.0 mg of a 49 % (w/w) aqueous solution of cyanamide/L (equivalent to 0.93, 1.9, 3.7, 7.4 and 15.0 mg as/L) were used during the study. A total of 20 trout per concentration were used. Analytical verification of the aqueous solution of cyanamide was made on test solutions sampled on days 0, 1, 4, 7, 10, 14 and 21 of the study. Test solutions were supplied to each replicate test chamber by a continuous flow metering system at a rate of approximately 1 L at an average rate of 8.5 times per hour. Test solutions were maintained between 14 and 16 °C. Temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH were measured in the control and in the low, middle and high concentrations on days 0, 1, 4, 7, 10, 14, 18 and 21 of the study. The samples of the test medium were analysed by UV-VIS spectrophotometer. Daily observations were made for behavioural/sublethal effects. All chemical and physical parameters (dissolved oxygen concentration, pH, temperature) in the definitive test were within expected ranges. Mean measured concentrations of the 49 % (w/w) aqueous solution of cyanamide were 1.9, 3.6, 7.5, 15.0 and 30.0 mg/L (equivalent to 0.95, 1.8, 3.7, 7.2 and 15.0 mg as/L) and ranged from 99 ± 2.2 % of nominal concentrations. In the test medium the test item was sufficiently stable during the test period of 21 d. Mortality occurred in the 30.0 mg/L treatment. One fish got lost in the 7.5 mg/L treatment in the period between day 18 and 21. One fish in the control chamber was found dead on day 21. This mortality was believed to be an aberration since all fish appeared to be normal on day 20 in this chamber. Sublethal/behavioural responses (e.g. dark discoloration, laboured respiration, loss of equilibrium, quiescence, fish on bottom of aquaria, flared gills, surfacing and vertical orientation) were noted in the 15 and 30 mg/L test levels. In the trout flow-through test the 21 day LC50 was calculated to be 24.0 mg of a 49 % (w/w) aqueous solution of cyanamide/L based on the mean measured concentrations (equivalent to 11.8 mg as/L). The 21-day NOEC was 7.5 mg/L, based on mean measured concentrations and a lack of sublethal effects after 21 days (equivalent to 3.7 mg as/L). The mean measured concentrations are nearly identical to the nominal concentrations.
This information is used in a read-across approach in the assessment of the target substance.
For detailled description where read across is used/recommended and where it is preferrable to refain from read across, please see section 13.2 "read across justification for environmental endpoints" and "Scientific rationale for not using cyanamide as read-across substance for calcium cyanamide on toxicological endpoints"
Referenceopen allclose all
Long-term toxicity (21 d) of cyanamide to Rainbow trout – Summary of endpoints:
Endpoint |
Mean measured concentration of 49 % (w/w) aqueous solution of cyanamide |
LC50 |
24.0 mg/L (11.8 mg as/L) |
No observed effect concentration (NOEC) |
7.5 mg/L (3.7 mg as/L) |
Long-term toxicity (21 d) of cyanamide to Rainbow trout – Summary of endpoints:
Endpoint |
Mean measured concentration of 49 % (w/w) aqueous solution of cyanamide |
LC50 |
24.0 mg/L (11.8 mg as/L) |
No observed effect concentration (NOEC) |
7.5 mg/L (3.7 mg as/L) |
Description of key information
In the absence of long-term toxicity studies for fish with calcium cyanamide, available information from the read-across substance cyanamide is used.
The test substance cyanamide (49 % (w/w) aqueous solution of cyanamide) was examined for its long-term toxicity to fish (Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)) in one available study. In this trout flow-through, 21-day test the calculated LC50 was 11.8 mg of pure active ingredient (ai) cyanamide/L and NOEC of 3.7 mg ai/L.
The NOEC of 3.7 mg cyanamide/L carried forward in the risk assessment.
Key value for chemical safety assessment
Fresh water fish
Fresh water fish
- Effect concentration:
- 3.7 mg/L
Additional information
Upon dissolution in water calcium cyanamide is fast transformed to hydrogen cyanamide.
Therefore, ecotoxicity in natural aquatic environments can be expressed in terms of cyanamide, irrespective of the substance constituting the exposure source. This is supported by experimental results: After stoichiometric correction of test concentrations, toxic effect values of cyanamide and calcium cyanamide are very similar in all standard test organisms. Thus, read-across from cyanamide to calcium cyanamide is justified for aquatic environmental endpoints.
For agricultural applications, calcium cyanamide is formulated as granules (PERLKA) that only slowly degrade in a soil environment. Exposure of the aquatic environment will be exclusively due to runoff from agricultural fields. As above, cyanamide is the chemical moiety relevant for exposure due to rapid transformation from calcium cyanamide to cyanamide.
(Please note: direct release of the product to surface waters is strictly advised against, thus not a relevant exposure pathway.)
For detailled description where read across is used/recommended and where it is preferrable to refain from read across, please see section 13.2 "read across justification for environmental endpoints" and "Scientific rationale for not using cyanamide as read-across substance for calcium cyanamide on toxicological endpoints"
The effects of a 49 % (w/w) aqueous solution of cyanamide on Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were determined under flow-through conditions for 21 days. A water control and nominal test substance concentrations of 1.9, 3.8, 7.5, 15.0 and 30.0 mg of a 49 % (w/w) aqueous solution of cyanamide/L (equivalent to 0.93, 1.9, 3.7, 7.4 and 15.0 mg as/L) were used during the study. A total of 20 trout per concentration were used. All chemical and physical parameters (dissolved oxygen concentration, pH, temperature) in the definitive test were within expected ranges. Mean measured concentrations of the 49 % (w/w) aqueous solution of cyanamide were 1.9, 3.6, 7.5, 15.0 and 30.0 mg/L (equivalent to 0.95, 1.8, 3.7, 7.2 and 15.0 mg as/L) and ranged from 99 ± 2.2 % of nominal concentrations. In the test medium the test item was sufficiently stable during the test period of 21 d. Mortality occurred in the 30.0 mg/L treatment. One fish got lost in the 7.5 mg/L treatment in the period between day 18 and 21. One fish in the control chamber was found dead on day 21. This mortality was believed to be an aberration since all fish appeared to be normal on day 20 in this chamber. Sublethal/behavioural responses (e.g. dark discoloration, laboured respiration, loss of equilibrium, quiescence, fish on bottom of aquaria, flared gills, surfacing and vertical orientation) were noted in the 15 and 30 mg/L test levels. In the trout flow-through test the 21-day LC50 was calculated to be 24.0 mg of a 49 % (w/w) aqueous solution of cyanamide/L based on the mean measured concentrations (equivalent to 11.8 mg as/L). The 21-day NOEC was 7.5 mg/L, based on mean measured concentrations and a lack of sublethal effects after 21 days (equivalent to 3.7 mg as/L).
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