Edetic acid

Genetic toxicity: in vitro

Administrative data

Endpoint:

genetic toxicity in vitro

Remarks:

Type of genotoxicity: other: DNA demage, Mouse lymphoma assay

Type of information:

other: literature review

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

2004

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Data prepared by European Chemical Bureau.

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

review article or handbook

Title:

European Risk Assessment Report CAS 60-00-4 EC 200-449-4 edetic acid (EDTA)

Author:

European Chemical Bureau Institute of Health and Consumer Protection

Year:

2004

Bibliographic source:

European Chemical Bureau Institute of Health and Consumer Protection

Materials and methods

Test guideline

Test guideline 1

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other: DNA damage; alkaline elution; V79 cells

Test guideline 2

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other: Mouse lymphoma assay

GLP compliance:

not specified

Type of assay:

other: DNA damage; alkaline elution; V79 cells; Mouse lymphoma assay

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Edetic acid

EC Number:

200-449-4

EC Name:

Edetic acid

Cas Number:

60-00-4

Molecular formula:

C10H16N2O8

IUPAC Name:

2,2',2'',2'''-(ethane-1,2-diyldinitrilo)tetraacetic acid

Constituent 2

Reference substance name:

EDTA

IUPAC Name:

EDTA

Results and discussion

Any other information on results incl. tables

Mammalian cell culture tests were performed with EDTA (free acid). In a mouse lymphoma assay which was done only without metabolic activation, 2-fold to 6-fold increases of mutant frequencies were induced by EDTA at very high concentrations of 25 and 30 mmol/l and a treatment time of 4 hours; relative total growths at these concentrations were 57% and 16% respectively. The pH, measured in a parallel experiment where EDTA was dissolved in culture medium (pH of 7.2), was reduced to 5.8 at 30 mmol/l and to 6.1 at 20 mmol/l, when measured directly after preparation of the solution. Whether the mutagenic activity was due to pH effects or due to the high tested concentrations seems to be unclear (Wangenheim and Bolcsfoldi, 1988). In an alkaline elution assay with mouse lymphoma cells EDTA induced DNA single strand breaks in very high concentrations from 40 mmol/l upwards. Data on toxicity were not given; the assay was conducted without a metabolic activation system only (Garberg et al., 1988). In concentrations up to 30 mmol/l EDTA induced no effects with and without S-9 mix in alkaline elution assays with V79 cells (Swenberg et al., 1976; Swenberg, 1981).

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

Interpretation of results (migrated information):
other: negative and positive but only at ery high concentrations

EDTA is not mutagenic for humans.

Executive summary:

Mutations and DNA damage were found in mouse lymphoma cells after exposure to very high concentrations. EDTA has a low mutagenic potential at extremely high doses. On the basis of the various negative findings and the assumption of a threshold mode-of action for aneugens, it can be concluded that EDTA is not mutagenic for humans.