Propyl chloroformate

Ecotoxicological Summary

Conclusion on classification

The parent compound propyl chloroformate (CAS 109-61-5) rapidly hydrolyses in contact with water and forms propanol (CAS 171-23-8) and HCl (CAS 7647-01-0). Due to the rapid hydrolysis of the parent compound propyl chloroformate (CAS 109-61-5), the assessment will mainly be based on the results for the hydrolysis product propanol (CAS 71-23-8).

Results are available for fish (P. promelas, 96 h LC 50 = 4480 mg/L), invertebrates (D. magna, EC50 = 3644 mg/L), algae (96 h EC50 > 2000 mg/L, 96 h NOEC = 2000 mg/L) and microorganisms (3 h EC50 > 1000 mg/L).

 

Therefore, the conclusion on classification will be based on the information available for the hydrolysis product propanol (CAS 71-23-8).

 

Official classification regarding environmental hazards

Aquatic compartment

In accordance with Regulation (EC) 1272/2008 Annex VI Table 3, the substance is not officially classified.

 

Self-classification:

Aquatic compartment

Following CLP (GHS-EU) the substance is not considered to be acutely hazardous to aquatic organisms.

Following CLP (GHS-EU) the substance is not considered to be chronically hazardous to aquatic organisms.

 

Rationale:

According to the criteria outlined in Table 4.1.0(a) (Commission Regulation (EU) No 286/2011 amending Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008), the substance (CAS 71-23-8) is not to be classified as acutely hazardous to the aquatic environment since the lowest available acute effect value (LC/EC50) is > 1 mg/L (algae, 96 h EC50 > 2000 mg/L, Slooff et al., 1983).

Long-term toxicity data are available for algae only. Therefore, classification is based on the available chronic data and on acute toxicity data for the trophic level not covered by chronic data (fish and aquatic invertebrates).

 

Chronic toxicity data:

The lowest chronic value is > 1 mg/L (algae, 96 h NOEC = 2000 mg/L, Slooff et al., 1983) indicating that the substance does not present a long-term hazard according to the categories outlined in Table 4.1.0(a) (i) (Commission Regulation (EU) No 286/2011 amending Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008) for rapidly degradable substances.

 

Acute toxicity data:

All available acute effect values are > 100 mg/L. The substance is rapidly degradable, the log Kow is < 4, and the BCF value is < 500. Therefore, according to the criteria outlined in Table 4.1.0(b) (ii) (Commission Regulation (EU) No 286/2011 amending Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008), the substance is not to be classified as chronically hazardous to the aquatic environment.

 

Atmospheric compartment

The test substance is not in Annex I of Regulation (EC) 2037/2000 on substances that deplete the ozone layer.

The test substance does not belong to the greenhouse gases listed in P Forster, PV Ramaswamy et al. Changes in Atmospheric Constituents and in Radiative Forcing. In: Climate Change 2007: The Physical Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

 

Conclusion

 

Propyl chloroformate (CAS 109-61-5) rapidly hydrolyses in contact with water to propanol (CAS 71-23-8), hydrogen chloride (HCL, CAS 7647-01-0) and carbon dioxide (CAS 124-38-9). Therefore, only data on the environmental fate and pathways and data on aquatic toxicity available for the hydrolysis product propanol are considered for self-classification.

 

Based on the available data, propanol is not considered to be acutely or chronically hazardous to aquatic organisms.

Following this, based on the results for the hydrolysis product propanol (CAS 71-23-8) it can be concluded that propyl chloroformate (CAS 109-61-5) is neither to be classified as acutely nor as chronically hazardous to the aquatic environment.