Ethyl acetate

Short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Description of key information

All available data (reliable and not rated studies included):
Daphnia magna (mg/l): EC50(24hrs): 3090, 2500, 2306 (reported as range finder in long term toxicity testing).  EC50(48hrs): 610, 799, 742.  EC50 (unknown test time): 590.
Daphnia pulex (mg/l): EC50 (48hr): 260
Daphnia Cucullata:(mg/l): EC50 (48hr) 165.
Gammarus pulex (mg/l); EC50 (4hr) 750
Hydra Oligactis (mg/l): EC50 (48hr) 1350.  NOEC (48hr): 1120
Artemia salina )mg/l): TLm (24hr): 1590, IC50 (24hr, 25% saltwater) 346, IC50 (24hr, 50% saltwater) 655
Aquatic mollusc (unspecified) (mg/l): LC50 (48hr) 1100
Aquatic worm (unspecified) (mg/l): EC50 (48hr) 1200, 3020

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Fresh water invertebrates

Fresh water invertebrates

Effect concentration:

165 mg/L

Marine water invertebrates

Marine water invertebrates

Effect concentration:

346 mg/L

Additional information

A total of 15 results from 8 different species are available from all studies identified. Two reliable 24-hour studies with the pelagic invertebrate Daphnia magna Straus were conducted using the DIN 38412 method and reported 24-h EC₅₀values of 2500 to 3090 mg/L. Lower LC50 values have been reported in Daphnia magna but, but in each case there were a number of limitations with these studies precluding their designation as reliable for use. Lower values were also reported in Daphnia pulex (230 -290 mg/L) and in Daphnia cucullata (154 -175 mg/L) and an LC50 value of 590 mg/L in Gammarus pulex was reported in the same studies, but again only limited information is available. 24-h EC₅₀ values in the marine invertebrate Artemia salina of 1590 mg/L and 349 -645 have been reported.  EC₅₀values reported for a number of other species were invariably above 1000 mg/l.

The key parameter would normally be based on the reliable studies available. However, since these represent some of the higher values available and appear to be from a less sensitive species, the results from the supporting studies cannot be ignored, even though these are from studies whose reliability cannot be confirmed. As a conservative approach therefore, the key parameter is based on the lowest value reported, which is an EC50 of 165mg/l reported in Daphnia cucullata. Similarly, for salt water species, the key parameter is based on the EC50 of 346mg/l reported in 25% strength seawater again from an unratable study.