Trimethylamine

Endpoint summary

Additional information

Acute aquatic toxicity tests are available for three trophic levels (fish, invertebrates, and algae). Furthermore, long-term studies are available for 2 trophic levels (invertebrates and algae) regarding possible effects of the test substance to aquatic organisms (QSAR for Long-term toxicity to fish, QSAR for Long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates and Long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates from the Ministry of Environment of Japan and Toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria).

In the first Key study (according to OECD 203), Oryzias latipes was exposed to Trimethylamine at a concentration of 100 mg/L. The LC50 value was determined to be > 100 mg/L, based on no mortality (Ministry of Environment and Health, 2011).

In the second Key study Leuciscus idus was exposed to trimethylamine in neutralized and non-neutralized form, resulting in a LC50 = 610 mg/L and LC50 = 25 mg/L, respectively (Bayrisches Landesamt für Wasserwirtschaft, 1989).

Three different valid studies are available in the context of acute toxicity to fish for trimethylamine. Oryzias latipes was used in a static freshwater test with an exposure duration of 48 hours. A LC50 value of 1000 mg/L is given as result (Tonogai et.al., 1982). In the second experiment with Salvelinus fontinalis an LT50 of 1000 mg/L (within 106 hours) was determined as nominal result (Fletcher & Addison, 1972). The basis for effect was mortality. In the third experiment Leuciscus idus was used as test organisms (BASF, 1977). The obtained LC50 - values were determined in fish toxicity tests performed according to DIN 38412 Part 15, OECD 203 or EG L251/146. A LC50 within 48 hours of greater than 500 to 1000 mg/L was determined for trimethylamine.

Regarding acute toxicity to aquatic invertebrates, Daphnia magna was exposed for 48 hours to trimethylamine in an experiment conducted by the Ministry of Environmental and Health, 2011. As results an EC50 value of 47 mg/L was obtained for an exposure time of 24 hours. Furthermore, and EC50 value of 28 mg/L was obtained for an exposure time of 48 hours.

In the second Key study Daphnia magna was exposed for 48 hours to trimethylamine in an experiment conducted by BASF AG (1988). As results, EC0, EC50, and EC100 are given as followed: 62.5 mg/L, 139.95 mg/L, and 250 mg/L, respectively.

Long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates of trimethylamine was investigated as well. An EC50 (21 d) value of 14 mg/L and a NOEC (21 d) value of 8 mg/L were determined for Trimethylamine by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan.

The data of the original report were re-evaluated using ToxRat v2.10 in order to obtain an EC10, which is not originally reported. According to REACH Guidance document chapter R.10 Table R.10-1 (Overview of toxicity test endpoints and guidance on derivation of L(E)C50 and NOEC values) an EC10 for a long-term test which is obtained using an appropriate statistical method (usually regression analysis) will be used preferentially. The EC10 (21 d) was calculated to be 3.9 mg/L.

An extensive set of structure - activity relationships (SARs) is used by the computer program ECOSAR v1.11 to determine the long-term toxicity of trimethylamine for daphnid. As result a chronic value (ChV) of 1.38 mg/L, based on mortality is reported, which shows the two results to be in the same range.

Short-term toxicity to algae of trimethylamine was investigated by the Ministry of Environment and Health (2011). An EC50 (72 h) of > 100 mg/L (based on growth rate) and a NOEC (72 h) value of 56 mg/L (based on growth rate has been determined for trimethylamine by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan. The data of the original report were re-evaluated using ToxRat v2.10 in order to obtain an EC10, which is not originally reported. According to REACH Guidance document chapter R.10 Table R.10-1 (Overview of toxicity test endpoints and guidance on derivation of L(E)C50 and NOEC values) an EC10 for a long-term test which is obtained using an appropriate statistical method (usually regression analysis) will be used preferentially. The EC10 (72 h) was calculated to be 88.6 mg/L.

Short-term toxicity to algae of trimethylamine was investigated by BASF AG (1988), using Scenedesmus subspicatus (new name: Desmodesmus subspicatus) as test organisms. The test duration was 72 hours. Based on recalculated growth rate, an EC10 value of 86 mg/L and an EC50 = 150 mg/L is given. Based on recalculated biomass, the EC10 value gives a result of 42.6 mg/L and EC50 = 90.6 mg/L. The study was conducted according to German guideline DIN 38412, Part 9(Determination of inhibitory effect on cell multiplication).

Regarding toxicity effects to microorganisms (with a special remark on sewage treatment plants) two valid experimental data are available for the test substance. BASF AG (1988) investigated Pseudomonas putida during an exposure time of 17 hours to trimethylamine. The basis for effect was growth inhibition and the following results were obtained: EC10 = 149.815 mg/L, EC50 = 208 mg/L, and EC90 = 390 mg/L. In the other Nitrosomas sp. was investigated for inhibition of nitrification when exposed to trimethylamine for 2 hours. As results an EC50 of around 590 mg/L as well as an EC75 of around 118 mg/L are reported. (Hockenbury and Grady, 1977).