Lithium chloride

Long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Reference 1

Endpoint:

long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Study period:

2010-04-26 to 2010-08-09

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 211 (Daphnia magna Reproduction Test)

Deviations:

no

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Deviations to the guideline: No major deviations. A minor deviation was observed for the test temperature in the test vessels which ranged from 19.7 to 21.9 degree C throughout the test. The guideline recommends that the temperature variation should be within 2 degree C. This deviation of 0.2 degree C occurred only on one day and was considered to have no effect on the results and interpretation of the study.

GLP compliance:

yes (incl. QA statement)

Analytical monitoring:

yes

Details on sampling:

In order to confirm correct dosage and stability of exposure concentrations, samples (about 100 mL) of the control and all test concentrations of the Definitive Test were taken from separate vessels without daphnia including culturing medium (controls) or test solutions. These samples were collected at start and end of one exposure period per week.

Vehicle:

no

Details on test solutions:

PREPARATION AND APPLICATION OF TEST SOLUTION (especially for difficult test substances)
For the range-finding test and the definitive test the test solutions were prepared in a dilution series from a stock solution of 100 mg/L of the test item in culturing medium. The test solutions were prepared using a mixing device (Ultra-Turrax, Janke & Kunkel; 8000 rpm, 2 minutes). In the range-finding test the test solution of 50 mg/L showed slight turbidity, followed by a whitish precipitation. In the definitive test turbidity and precipitation could not be observed at test concentrations of 0.25 to 16.0 mg/L. The controls were kept in culturing medium.

Test organisms (species):

Daphnia magna

Details on test organisms:

TEST ORGANISM
Daphnia magna (Crustacea, Daphniidae), Clone 5
Origin: German Environmental Ministry, Berlin
Age: At start of exposure: < 24 h, the offspring was not from first brood progeny
Pre-treatment: The animals were cultivated in an air-conditioned room (light/dark = 14 h/10 h; illumination: fluorescent tubes).
The animals were fed with algae (Desmodesmus subspicatus).
The daphnids were kept in culturing water (see below).
The environmental parameters for the culture were similar to the test conditions.

Test type:

semi-static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

21 d

Hardness:

c(CACO3)= 246 mg/L

Test temperature:

19.7 – 21.9 degree C

Nominal and measured concentrations:

Nominal: 0.25 mg/L, 0.5 mg/L, 1.0 mg/L, 2.0 mg/L, 4.0 mg/L, 8.0 mg/L and 16.0 mg/L

Details on test conditions:

TEST SYSTEM
- Test vessel: 150 mL glass beakers, test volume 100 mL
- Aeration: None
- Renewal rate of test solution: Every 48 h
- No. of organisms per vessel: 10
- No. of vessels per concentration (replicates): 10
- No. of vessels per control (replicates): 10


TEST MEDIUM / WATER PARAMETERS
- Alkalinity: 0.8 mmol/L
- Ca/mg ratio: 4:1
- Culture medium different from test medium: Daphnia medium according to DIN 38412-L11/ISO 6341 was used in the controls and as dilution water in the Daphnia Reproduction Test. In contrast to the Elendt M4 medium recommended in the guideline, this medium does not contain lithium and EDTA and was therefore considered as suitable for this test.

OTHER TEST CONDITIONS
- Adjustment of pH: Based on the outcome of the preliminary study the range-finding test and definitive test were performed without adjustment of the pH.
- Photoperiod: Fluorescent tubes (16 h light, 8 h dark)
- Light intensity: 1200 Lux

EFFECT PARAMETERS MEASURED: Number of living and dead animals of the Parental generation (P), Measurements of body length (in mm) of the surviving animals of the Parental generation (P) were performed.

VEHICLE CONTROL PERFORMED: no

RANGE-FINDING STUDY
- Test concentrations: 1.0 mg/L, 10.0 mg/L and 50.0 mg/L

Reference substance (positive control):

no

Duration:

21 d

Dose descriptor:

NOEC

Effect conc.:

4 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Remarks:

LiOH monohydrate

Basis for effect:

reproduction

Duration:

21 d

Dose descriptor:

LOEC

Effect conc.:

8 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Remarks:

LiOH monohydrate

Basis for effect:

reproduction

Duration:

21 d

Dose descriptor:

NOEC

Effect conc.:

2.3 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

other: calculated for LiOH anhydrous

Basis for effect:

reproduction

Duration:

21 d

Dose descriptor:

LOEC

Effect conc.:

4.6 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

other: calculated for LiOH anhydrous

Basis for effect:

reproduction

Details on results:

- Mortality of parent animals: Growth and development of the animals of the Parental generation (P) in the control and at test concentrations of 0.25 to 4.0 mg/L were normal and no adverse effects were observed. Growth and development of the animals of the Parental generation (P) were affected at test concentration of 8.0 mg/L. Activity was slightly reduced compared to the control and as a tendency the daphnia were found in the lower parts of the test vessels. Survival of the animals of the Parental generation (P) were affected at test concentration of 16.0 mg/L. Activity was reduced compared to the control and as a tendency the daphnia were found in the lower parts of the test vessels. All daphnia died during 10 days. Reproduction did not occur.
Dead offspring and aborted eggs were observed only occasionally during the test in the control (7 dead juveniles / 10 aborted eggs), at test concentration of 0.25 mg/L (5 dead juveniles / 12 aborted eggs), at test concentration of 0.5 mg/L (4 dead juveniles / 7 aborted eggs), at test concentration of 1.0 mg/L (8 dead juveniles / 6 aborted eggs), at test concentration of 2.0 mg/L (10 dead juveniles / 8 aborted eggs), at test concentration of 4.0 mg/L (9 dead juveniles /4 aborted eggs) and were not concentration response related at these test concentrations. The number of dead offspring and aborted eggs was slightly increased at test concentration of 8.0 mg/L (17 dead juveniles / 15 aborted eggs).
Males and ephippia were not observed in the control and at test concentrations of 0.25 to 16.0 mg/L.

Results with reference substance (positive control):

No positive control tested.

Reported statistics and error estimates:

The Kolmogorov-Smirnov-test determined normality of the data (α = 0.05).
The results of a one-way ANOVA showed a significant effect on offspring in the presence of Lithium hydroxide monohydrate [F = 5.46; Fcritical (6, 57, α = 0.05) = 2.26].
The results of a one-way ANOVA showed a significant effect on body length in the presence of Lithium hydroxide monohydrate [F = 6.21; Fcritical (6, 57, α = 0.05) = 2.26].
Bartlett`s test detected homogeneity of variances of offspring in the presence of Lithium hydroxide monohydrate (α = 0.05).
Bartlett`s test did not detect homogeneity of variances of body length in the presence of Lithium hydroxide monohydrate (α = 0.05). However results were still regarded to be adaptable to perform the ANOVA analysis.
Dunnett`s test for comparison of the treatment groups with the control with reference to offspring and body length showed significant differences between the control and the effective concentration of 8.0 mg/L (α = 0.05).

Number of live offspring of the Filial generation (F1) derived from parent animals alive at the end of the test of the control and test concentrations of 0.25 to 16.0 mg/L; mean-value, standard deviation (SD) and variation coefficient (Vc):

	Control	0.25 mg/L *	0.5 mg/L *	1.0 mg/L *	2.0 mg/L *	4.0 mg/L *	8.0 mg/L *	16.0 mg/L *
Total	1001	991	917	837	794	854	147**	0**
Mean-value	100	99.1	91.7	83.7	79.4	85.4	36.8**	0**
SD	12.8	26.6	27.8	19.3	21.8	12.1	18.0	0
Vc	12.8	26.8	30.3	23.1	27.4	14.2	48.9	0

* nominal concentration of lithium hydroxide monohydrate

** Significant difference compared to the control according to Dunnett`s test (p = 0.05).

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Conclusions:

The test item lithium hydroxide monohydrate caused a statistically significant effect on live offspring of the Filial generation (F1) derived from the parent animals surviving at the end of the test at nominal test concentration of 8.0 mg lithium hydroxide monohydrate/L according to Dunnett`s test (p = 0.05). Therefore, the NOEC determined on reproduction for lithium hydroxide monohydrate was 4.0 mg/L and the LOEC was 8.0 mg/L.
Based on these data, the calculated NOEC for lithium hydroxide anhydrous was 2.3 mg/L and the LOEC 4.6 mg/L.

Executive summary:

A semi-static Daphnia magna reproduction test was performed according to OECD Guideline 211. At this method Daphnia magna, aged lower or equal 24 h at the beginning of the test, are exposed to a range of lithium hydroxide monohydrate under defined conditions over a period of 21 days. The test item is a solid that is soluble in water and therefore, no solvent was used. The test solutions were prepared in a dilution series from a stock solution of 100 mg/L of the test item in culturing medium. In the definitive test the nominal concentrations were as follows: 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0 and 16.0 mg/L. Analysis of the test solutions for lithium confirmed that the test solutions were correctly dosed and stable during the exposure period (recoveries ranging from 95.5 to 102 % of nominal concentrations for the freshly prepared and aged test solutions). Therefore, the concentrations were reported as nominal concentrations. The Test item lithium hydroxide monohydrate caused a statistically significant effect on live offspring of the Filial generation (F1) derived from the parent animals surviving at the end of the test at nominal test concentration of 8.0 mg lithium hydroxide monohydrate/L according to Dunnett`s test (p = 0.05).

Therefore, the NOEC determined on reproduction for lithium hydroxide monohydrate was 4.0 mg/L and the LOEC was 8.0 mg/L.

Based on these data, the calculated NOEC for lithium hydroxide anhydrous was 2.3 mg/L and the LOEC 4.6 mg/L.

Reference 2

Endpoint:

long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

2012-09-09 until 2012-09-30

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 211 (Daphnia magna Reproduction Test)

Version / remarks:

updated 3rd October 2008

Deviations:

no

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

EU Method C.20 (Daphnia magna Reproduction Test)

Version / remarks:

May 30, 2008

Deviations:

no

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

EPA OPPTS 850.1300 (Daphnid Chronic Toxicity Test)

Version / remarks:

1996

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

yes

Analytical monitoring:

yes

Details on sampling:

During the test, the concentrations of the test item were determined at regular intervals. Since the concentrations of the test item were expected to remain within ± 20 % of the nominal concentrations, analysis was performed in the highest and lowest test concentrations (plus control), when freshly prepared and at renewal (2 times per week sampling for analytics). These determinations were repeated at weekly intervals. During the first two weeks (day 0 – 9), concentrations of 0.50 and 5.70 mg/L (as highest and lowest) were measured. Due to the absence of living animals in the three highest test concentrations (2.53 – 5.70 mg/L), concentration of 1.70 mg/L was measured as the highest test concentration from the third occasion of analytical determination (day 14).

Vehicle:

yes

Details on test solutions:

The test solutions used in the test were prepared by mechanical dispersion without using any solubilising agent. The test solutions were freshly prepared at the beginning of the experiment, in the testing laboratory. Dilutions/solutions were performed with the test medium, Elendt M4 Medium.
Additionally, please see above in "Details on test material".

Test organisms (species):

Daphnia magna

Details on test organisms:

TEST ORGANISM
- Common name: Daphnia magna (Straus)
- Source: Laboratory of Hydrobiology (Central Agricultural Office, Directorate of Plant-, and Soil Protection) 2100 Gödöllő, Kotlán S. u. 3. Hungary. The Daphnia are bred in the Laboratory of TOXI-COOP ZRT.
- Age of parental stock: less than 24 hours old and not the first brood progeny
- Feeding during test: The Daphnia were fed daily and the supplied diet was based on the amount of organic carbon (C) provided to each parent animal. This amount was 0.15 mg C/Daphnia/day

ACCLIMATION
The stock animals were maintained in culture conditions (light, temperature, medium, feeding and animals per unit volume) to avoid the necessity of longer adaptation prior to the test. Brood daphnids were maintained in Elendt M4 Medium under test conditions for 10 days prior to the start of the test.

Test type:

semi-static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

21 d

Post exposure observation period:

No post exposure observation

Hardness:

> 140 mg/L (expressed in CaCO3), the lowest value was 189.9 mg/L (as CaCO3).

Test temperature:

19.8 - 22.0

pH:

The pH remained within the range 6 – 9 and varied not more than 1.5 units during the test.
The lowest value measured was 7.06 and the highest value was 8.45.

Dissolved oxygen:

> 3 mg/L, the lowest value was 6.27 mg/L

Nominal and measured concentrations:

The following nominal concentrations were tested: 0.50, 0.75, 1.13, 1.70, 2.53, 3.80 and 5.70 mg lithium/L.
The measured test item concentrations (lowest and highest test concentrations) remained within ± 20 % of the nominal concentration values during the test, therefore all biological results are based on the nominal concentrations.

Details on test conditions:

TEST SYSTEM
- Test vessel: Glass beakers (150 mL volume) with 50 mL test medium
- Aeration: no aeration
- Renewal rate of test solution (frequency/flow rate): semi - static renewal, 3 times per week (When the medium was renewed a second series of test vessels was prepared and the parent animals transferred to them by a pipette of a suitable diameter. The volume of test medium transferred with the Daphnia was minimized)
- No. of organisms per vessel: 1
- No. of vessels per concentration (replicates): 10
- No. of vessels per vehicle control (replicates): 10

TEST MEDIUM / WATER PARAMETERS
- Source/preparation of dilution water: with test medium Elendt M4 Medium (according to OECD Guideline 211)

OTHER TEST CONDITIONS
- Adjustment of pH: the pH of the stock solution was adjusted to the pH of the Elendt M4 Medium using 1N HCl at each occasion of test solution preparation.
- Photoperiod: 16 h light : 8 h dark
- Light intensity: an average intensity of 1025 lux that corresponds to 13.9 µE m-2s-1

EFFECT PARAMETERS MEASURED (with observation intervals if applicable):
- Measurement of environmental parameters: the temperature, oxygen concentration and pH values were measured at each water renewal in fresh and old media in the control and in the highest test item concentration. Measurement of the hardness was performed at least once a week during the test in the control and in the highest test item concentration. Due to the absence of living animals in the three highest concentrations (2.53 - 5.70 mg/L), environmental conditions were measured at the concentration of 1.70 mg/L being the highest test concentration from the 7th renewal period (day 14

- Growth measurement and other parameters: The length of the parent animals (i.e. body length excluding the anal spine) was measured at the end of the test. Other parameters measured include: time to production of first brood (and subsequent broods), number and size of broods per animal, and the number of living offspring produced per animal per day from the first day offspring observed.

VEHICLE CONTROL PERFORMED: yes, the dilution water (Elendt M4 Medium) without the test item was used as control solution

Reference substance (positive control):

yes

Remarks:

for the evaluation of the quality of the Daphnia clone potassium dichromate was tested in a Daphnia magna acute toxicity test at least twice a year.

Key result

Duration:

21 d

Dose descriptor:

NOEC

Effect conc.:

1.7 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mortality

Duration:

21 d

Dose descriptor:

LOEC

Effect conc.:

2.53 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mortality

Duration:

21 d

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

> 1.7 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mortality

Details on results:

Offspring:
The offspring produced by each parent animal were removed and counted daily from the appearance of the first brood. The first brood appeared in the treated concentrations and in the control in the period of 8 – 13 days of the test. The mean number of offspring produced per animal was 89.63 in the control group. The mean number of offspring produced per animal was slightly lower (85.60, 82.40, 72.60 and 79.20) in concentrations of 0.50, 0.75, 1.13 and 1.70 mg/L respectively. Based on the performed statistical analysis, the offspring production of these concentrations were not statistically significant from that of the control (Bonferroni t-Test, α =0.05). In the three highest tested concentrations (2.53, 3.80 and 5.70 mg/L) all parent animals died by the 13th day of the test without producing any offspring. Therefore the results of these concentrations were excluded from the data analysis related to the reproductive output. Additionally the “living juveniles produced per animal per day from the first day offspring observed” values were calculated. These results showed similar trend to the evaluation of the total number of offspring.

Growth measurement:
At the end of the test body length measurement was performed and the obtained data were statistically evaluated by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni t-Test (α = 0.05) using TOXSTAT software.
Statistically significant difference was not observed in the remained living parent daphnids (in the concentration range of 0.50 – 1.70 mg/L) compared to the control group.

Other parameters:
Aborted broods, presence of male neonates or ephippia were not noticed.

Mortality:
The mortality among the parent animals was recorded daily.
In the control group two parent animals (20 %) died during the test which was within the acceptability criteria.
In the concentration range of 0.50 – 1.70 mg/L mortality of parent animals was not observed during the experiment.

Reported statistics and error estimates:

For the estimation of the LOEC, and hence the NOEC, for effects of the test item on reproductive output, the mean value and standard deviation of the reproductive output across replicates of each concentration was calculated using analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Similar evaluation and statistical analysis was performed with the additional determined body length values.
The data were checked for homogeneity of variance and normality.
The mean for each concentration was compared with the control mean using an appropriate multiple comparison method (Bonferroni t-Test, α=0.05).
The obtained results did not allow the calculation of an exact 21-day EC50 value in the assay.

In the three highest tested concentrations (2.53, 3.80 and 5.70 mg/L) all parent animals died by the 13thday of the test without producing any offspring*. Therefore the results of these concentrations were excluded from the data analysis related to the reproductive output.

*except in the case of one daphnia (the 7th replicate (10 daphnids / replicates in a dose group)) at a concentration of 2.53 mg/L, where eight juveniles were found on the day the parent animal was noticed dead (day11). This result was excluded from the data analysis.

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Conclusions:

In the 21-day semi-static chronic toxicity test to Daphnia magna with lithium, the 21-day No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC) value and the Lowest Observed Effect Concentration (LOEC) value, related to reproduction were 1.70 mg/L and 2.53 mg/L, respectively.
The 21-day EC50 value was determined to be higher than 1.70 mg/L. Based on a read-across approach, the calculated NOEC and LOEC values for lithium chloride were 10.4 and 15.45 mg/L, respectively.

Executive summary:

Long-term toxicity test in daphnia with lithium chloride is not available. Consequently, read-across was applied using study results obtained from a supporting substance, lithium.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of the test item lithium on the reproductive output of Daphnia magna in a semi-static test system according to OECD Guideline 211. Young female Daphnia (the parent animals) aged less than 24 hours at the start of the test were exposed to aqueous test media containing the test item for 21 days at a range of concentrations. The nominal test item concentrations were 0.50, 0.75, 1.13, 1.70, 2.53, 3.80 and 5.70 mg lithium/L. The performed parallel running analytical determinations confirmed that the test item concentrations examined (lowest and highest test concentrations) remained within the range of ± 20 % of the nominal and of the initial concentrations (varied between 98 and 117 per cent of the nominal concentration); thus, all results were based on the nominal test item concentrations. In the three highest tested concentrations (2.53, 3.80 and 5.70 mg/L) all parent animals died by the 13th day of the test without producing any offspring. Therefore the results of these concentrations were excluded from the data analysis related to the reproductive output. In the control group two parent animals (20 %) died during the test which was within the acceptable validity criteria. In the concentration range of 0.50 – 1.70 mg/L mortality of parent animals was not observed during the experiment. The reproduction was not reduced significantly in the concentration range of 0.50 – 1.70 mg/L compared to the untreated control group. During the evaluation of the body length of parent animals at the end of the test, a statistically significant difference was not observed in the remaining living parent daphnids (in the concentration range of 0.50 – 1.70 mg/L) compared to the control group. Aborted broods, presence of male neonates or ephippia were not noticed during the test. Accordingly, the 21-day NOEC value related to reproduction was determined to be 1.70 mg/L and the LOEC value as 2.53 mg/L. The obtained results were not sufficient for an exact EC50 value estimation. The 21-day EC50 was determined to be higher than 1.70 mg/L.

Based on a read-across approach, the calculated NOEC and LOEC values for lithium chloride were 10.4 and 15.45 mg/L, respectively.

Description of key information

In the 21-day semi-static chronic toxicity test to Daphnia magna with lithium, the 21-day No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC) value and the Lowest Observed Effect Concentration (LOEC) value, related to reproduction were 1.70 mg/L and 2.53 mg/L respectively.  The 21-day EC50 value was determined to be higher than 1.70 mg/L. Based on a read across approach, the calculated NOEC value for lithium chloride was 10 mg/L.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Fresh water invertebrates

Fresh water invertebrates

Dose descriptor:

NOEC

Effect concentration:

10 mg/L

Additional information

A long-term toxicity study on daphnia with lithium chloride is not available. Consequently, read-across was applied using characteristically similar compounds. Two guideline and GLP compliant studies are available for lithium metal and lithium hydroxide. A pH adjustment was not performed for the study with lithium hydroxide monohydrate.

 

Key study

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of the test item lithium on the reproductive output of Daphnia magna in a semi-static test system according to OECD Guideline 211. Young female Daphnia (the parent animals) aged less than 24 hours at the start of the test were exposed to aqueous test media containing the test item for 21 days at a range of concentrations. The nominal test item concentrations were 0.50, 0.75, 1.13, 1.70, 2.53, 3.80 and 5.70 mg lithium/L. The performed parallel running analytical determinations confirmed that the test item concentrations examined (lowest and highest test concentrations) remained within the range of ± 20 % of the nominal and of the initial concentrations (varied between 98 and 117 per cent of the nominal concentration); thus, all results were based on the nominal test item concentrations. In the three highest tested concentrations (2.53, 3.80 and 5.70 mg/L) all parent animals died by the 13th day of the test without producing any offspring. Therefore the results of these concentrations were excluded from the data analysis related to the reproductive output. In the control group two parent animals (20 %) died during the test which was within the acceptable validity criteria. In the concentration range of 0.50 – 1.70 mg/L mortality of parent animals was not observed during the experiment. The reproduction was not reduced significantly in the concentration range of 0.50 – 1.70 mg/L compared to the untreated control group. During the evaluation of the body length of parent animals at the end of the test, a statistically significant difference was not observed in the remaining living parent daphnids (in the concentration range of 0.50 – 1.70 mg/L) compared to the control group. Aborted broods, presence of male neonates or ephippia were not noticed during the test. Accordingly, the 21-day NOEC value related to reproduction was determined to be 1.70 mg/L and the LOEC value as 2.53 mg/L. The obtained results were not sufficient for an exact EC50 value estimation. The 21-day EC50 was determined to be higher than 1.70 mg/L. (Toxi-Coop, 2012)

 

Supporting study

A semi-static Daphnia magna reproduction test was performed with lithium hydroxide monohydrate according to OECD Guideline 211. Daphnia magna, aged lower or equal 24 h at the beginning of the test, are exposed to a range of lithium hydroxide monohydrate concentrations under defined conditions over a period of 21 days. The test item is a solid that is soluble in water and therefore no solvent was used. The test solutions were prepared in a dilution series from a stock solution of 100 mg/L of the test item in culturing medium. In the definitive test the nominal concentrations were as follows: 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0 and 16.0 mg/L. Analysis of the test solutions for lithium confirmed that the test solutions were correctly dosed and stable during the exposure period (recoveries ranging from 95.5 to 102 % of nominal concentrations for the freshly prepared and aged test solutions). Therefore, the concentrations were reported as nominal concentrations. The Test item lithium hydroxide monohydrate caused a statistically significant effect on live offspring of the Filial generation (F1) derived from the parent animals surviving at the end of the test at nominal test concentration of 8.0 mg lithium hydroxide monohydrate/L according to Dunnett`s test (p = 0.05).

Therefore, the NOEC determined on reproduction for lithium hydroxide monohydrate was 4.0 mg/L and the LOEC was 8.0 mg/L.

Based on these data, the calculated NOEC for lithium hydroxide anhydrous was 2.3 mg/L and the LOEC 4.6 mg/L.

 

Conclusion

Based on the above results it can be seen that the toxicological relevant part is lithium. Lithium metal was chosen as most relevant because an influence of the pH value cannot be excluded for the other available study with lithium hydroxide monohydrate. Considering 1.7 mg Li+/L as a starting point, a NOEC of 10 mg/L is derived for lithium chloride.