Aromatic hydrocarbons, C9-12, benzene distn.

Toxicity to birds

Description of key information

The acute oral LD50 value as a single oral dose was determined to be greater than 2,250 mg/kg body weight, the highest dose tested, based on the lack of mortality observed in all dosage groups.
The dietary LD50 was greater than 6500 ppm,  the highest dose tested. There did not appear to be an effect on food consumption at any  concentration tested. The no observed effect level was 842 ppm, based on the signs of toxicity noted at 1404 ppm.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Short-term EC50 or LC50 for birds:

6 500 mg/kg food

Additional information

The acute oral LD50 value as a single oral dose was determined to be greater than 2,250 mg/kg body weight, the highest dose tested, based on the lack of mortality observed in all dosage groups (Wildlife International Ltd., 1992a). The no observed effect level was lower than 292 mg/kg body weight, the lowest dose tested, based on a slight reduction in body weight at this dosage.

In a dietary study, no treatment- related mortality occurred. Sublethal effects (appearance and behavior) were observed in the 1404 to 6500 ppm concentrations, which began on day 6, or day 1 at the highest dosing level . In each instance, by day 8 till the end of the study for each of these concentrations, all birds were normal in appearance and behavior. When compared to the controls, there was a slight reduction in body weight gain among birds at 3900 ppm during the exposure period, days 0-5. A reduction in body weight gain was noted among all birds at 6500 ppm during the same time period. There did not appear to be an effect on food consumption at any concentration tested. The no observed effect level was 2340 ppm, based on the signs of toxicity noted at 3900 ppm.