Linalyl acetate

Endpoint summary

Description of key information

Short-term toxicity to fish

Linalyl acetate is not stable in water. Accordingly, the hazard assessment is based on the hydrolysation products as well (see Read-across justification). For the assessment of the short-term toxicity to fish, the study on linalyl acetate revealed the most conservative LC50 value. In a study according to OECD Guideline 202 the 96-h LC50 of linalyl actetate was determined to be 11 mg/L.

Long-term toxicity to fish

The study on long-term toxicity to fish was waived as the hazard assessment of linalyl acetate reveals neither a need to classify the substance as dangerous to the environment, nor is it a PBT or vPvB substance, nor are there any further indications that the substance may be hazardous to the environment.

Short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

In a study with the hydrolysation product linalool according to OECD Guideline 202, the 48-h EC50 was determined to be 59 mg/L. The most sensitive study results, however, have been revealed by the testing with the source substance geraniol. Nevertheless, since this substance is formed during hydrolysis to only 4.3 % after 64 hours at relevant conditions (pH 7, 20°C), the contribution of geraniol to the assessment of linalyl acetate is expected to be low.

Long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

The study on log-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates was waived as the hazard assessment of linalyl acetate reveals neither a need to classify the substance as dangerous to the environment, nor is it a PBT or vPvB substance, nor are there any further indications that the substance may be hazardous to the environment.

Toxicity to aquatic algae

Alpha-terpineol and linalool are the most relevant source substances with respect to the level of their formation during hydrolysis (3.03 mg/L linalool = 29.6% and 2.03 mg/L alpha-terpineol = 19.8%). Amongst those two products, alpha-terpineol shows the most conservative EC50 and NOEC. Accordingly, the assessment of toxicity to aquatic invertebrates is based on the information on alpha-terpineol as derived from ECHA website: Effect of Terpineol multi was tested in a freshwater growth inhibition test on algae (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata), following OECD guideline 201, 2006. The EC50 or growth rate reduction (72h-ErC50) was 68 mg/L with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 55 to 82 mg/L. The NOEC for both growth rate reduction a was 3.9 mg/L.

Toxicity to microorganisms

In a study according to OECD Guideline 209 with the read-across substance linalool (CAS 78 -70 -6), the EC50 (30 min) and the 3-h EC50 as well as the 3-h EC10 were found to be >100 mg/L based on the nominal concentrations. However, the most conservative approach is to consider the hydrolysation product alpha-terpineol by using the NOEC of 25.7 mg/L for risk assessment - even though no effects have been observed for alpha-terpineol (see Read-across justification).

Sediment toxicity

The log Koc is below 3 and the substance has no cationic properties, thus a low adsorption potential is indicated. Therefore, exposure of soil and sediment is unlikely and as a consequence a transfer to the sediment compartment is not expected. Therefore, no tests on sediment organisms are provided.

Additional information

Tests on the acute toxicity of linalyl acetat or the hydrolysations products linalool, alpha-terpineol, geraniol and acetic acid to aquatic organisms are available for three trophic levels. Cyprinus carpio was the most sensitive test species. A LC50 of 11 mg/L was detected in C. carpio for linalyl acetate.  Linalyl acetate rapidly hydrolyses in contact with water forming linalool and acetic acid. Thus the toxic effects may in part be due to the hydrolysis products. These, however, turned out to be less toxic to aquatic organismen for which an assessment based on the parent compound is the most conservative approach (see Read-across justification).

Chronic aquatic toxicity studies are not available. As the hazard assessment of linalyl acetate reveals neither a need to classify the substance as dangerous to the environment, nor is it a PBT or vPvB substance no further tests are provided in accordance with Annex IX of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.

The calculation of the PNEC freshwater and PNEC marine water refer to the acute LC50 determined in fish. For the sediment and terrestric compartments the equilibrium partitioning method has been used.