Fatty acids, C9-13-neo-, calcium salts

Endpoint summary

Additional information

Introductionto read-across matrix

A comprehensive data gap analysis was conducted for the entire substance portfolio of the REACH Metal Carboxylates Consortium (RMC), covering 10 metal carboxylates in total. This literature screening effort included:

 

• all available proprietary studies from the REACH Metal Carboxylates Consortium (RMC)
• detailed literature searches in online databases
• screening of human health review articles
• rigorous quality and reliability screening according to Klimisch criteria, where those criteria apply

 

During the literature search and data gap analysis it became obvious that the overall database on substance-specific human health hazard data for the metal carboxylates is too scant to cover all REACH endpoints. Therefore, the remaining data gaps had to be covered by either experimental testing or read-across from similar substances.

 

Selected endpoints for the human health hazard assessment are addressed by read-across, using a combination of data on the organic acid counterion and the metal (or one of its readily soluble salts). This way forward is acceptable, since metal carboxylates dissociate to the organic anion and the metal cation upon dissolution in aqueous media. No indications of complexation or masking of the metal ion through the organic acid were apparent during the water solubility tests (please refer to the water solubility data in section of the IUCLID and chapter of the CSR). Once the individual constituents of the metal carboxylate become bioavailable (i.e. in the acidic environment in the gastric passage or after phagocytosis by pulmonary macrophages), the “overall” toxicity of the dissociated metal carboxylate can be described by the toxicity of the “individual” constituents. Since synergistic effects are not expected for this group of metal carboxylates, the human health hazard assessment consists of an individual assessment of the metal cation and the organic anion.

 

The hazard information of the individual constituents was obtained from existing REACH registration dossiers via a license-to-use obtained by the lead registrant. These registration dossiers were submitted to ECHA in 2010 as full registration dossiers, and are thus considered to contain relevant and reliable information for all human health endpoints. All lead-registrant dossiers were checked for completeness and accepted by ECHA, i.e. a registration number was assigned.

 

Information on the hazardous properties of calcium was obtained from review and risk assessment documents as well as nutritional recommendations from national and international agencies such as EFSA, WHO, BgVV and also the references cited therein.

 

Fatty acids, C9-13-neo-, calcium salts is the calcium metal salt of fatty acids, C9-13-neo, which readily dissociates to the corresponding divalent calcium cation and fatty acids, C9-13-neo anions. The calcium cation and the fatty acids, C9-13-neo anion are considered to represent the overall toxicity of the Fatty acids, C9-13-neo-, calcium salts in a manner proportionate to the free acid and the metal (represented by one of its readily soluble salts). Based on the above information, unrestricted read-across is considered feasible and justified.

 

Introduction to the neoacids hazard assessment

The carboxylic acids “fatty acids, C9-13-neo” and “fatty acid C9 to C13 neo” are considered similar in their toxicological profile and are therefore grouped together. Both neoacids originate from the same production process in which a branched olefin is reacted with carbon monoxide and water at elevated temperature and pressure in th1e presence of an acid as catalytic component. The dossiers for fatty acids, C9-13-neo and fatty acid C9 to C13 neo contain human health hazard information on both substances indicating that the toxicological profile is similar. This approach was also used and accepted in the US EPA HPV programme, even for a wider range of neo-acid substances (US EPA, April 2009: http://www.epa.gov/chemrtk/pubs/summaries/neoc528/c13335tc.htm).

Based on the above information “fatty acids, C9-13-neo” and “neodecanoic acid” will be assessed for their hazardous properties, using the same dataset for both substances.

  

Although the term „constituent“ within the REACH context is defined as substance (also being part of a mixture), the term constituent within this hazard assessment is meant to describe either part of the metal carboxylate salt, i.e. anion or cation.

Genetic toxicity

No genetic toxicity study with Fatty acids, C9-13-neo-, calcium salts is available, thus the genetic toxicity will be addressed with existing data on the dissociation products as detailed in the table below.

 

Table: Summary of genetic toxicity data of fatty acids, C9-13-neo-, calcium salts and the individual constituents.

	calcium substances	Fatty acids, C9-13-neo (CAS# 68938-07-8)	Fatty acids, C9-13-neo-, calcium salts (CAS# 68424-35-1)
In vitro gene mutation in bacteria	negative (weight of evidence)	negative	negative (read-across)
In vitro cytogenicity in mammalian cells or in vitro micronucleus test		negative	negative (read-across)
In vitro gene mutation study in mammalian cells		no data	negative (read-across)

 

Calcium

Calcium as an essential element is widely distributed throughout the human body (predominantly stored in bone and teeth) and a daily dietary requirement of approx. 1000 mg varying by status and age. Assuming that such an essential element shows any genotoxic potential would be grossly implausible.

 

Fatty acids, C9-13-neo

Fatty acids, C9-13-neo is not mutagenic in vitro in bacterial mutation assays (with and without metabolic activation) and was not clastogenic in a cytogenetic assay. Although a test on in vitro gene mutation in mammalian cells is not provided, the bacterial reverse mutation test covering the same endpoint did not show any sign of mutagenic potential with an without metabolic activation. This data suggests that fatty acids, C9-13-neo is not genotoxic in vitro and likely not genotoxic in vivo.

 

Fatty acids, C9-13-neo-, calcium salts

Fatty acids, C9-13-neo-, calcium salts is not expected to be genotoxic, since the two constituents calcium and fatty acids, C9-13-neo have not shown genotoxic potential in a range of in vitro test systems. Thus, fatty acids, C9-13-neo-, calcium salts is not to be classified according to regulation (EC) 1272/2008 as genetic toxicant. Further testing is not required. For further information on the toxicity of the individual constituents, please refer to the relevant sections in the IUCLID and CSR.

 

Justification for selection of genetic toxicity endpoint
Read-across information.

Short description of key information:
Fatty acids, C9-13-neo-, calcium salts is not expected to be genotoxic.

Endpoint Conclusion: No adverse effect observed (negative)

Justification for classification or non-classification

Fatty acids, C9-13-neo-, calcium salts is not expected to be genotoxic, since the two constituents calcium and fatty acids, C9-13-neo have not shown genotoxic potential in a range of in vitro test systems. Thus, fatty acids, C9-13-neo-, calcium salts is not to be classified according to regulation (EC) 1272/2008 or Directive 67/548 EC as genetic toxicant.