Aluminum zirconium chloride hydroxide

Short-term toxicity to fish

Description of key information

Aluminum zirconium chloride hydroxide is an inorganic substance which will rapidly dissociate into aluminum, zirconium, chloride and hydroxide ions upon dissolution in the environment. However, zirconium ions will not remain as such in solution, and the environmental toxicity (if any) will not be driven by zirconium. Therefore, full read-across to other aluminum substances considering a typical aluminum content of ca. 19.4% is justified. The geometric mean of 2 reliable LC50-96h values (1.0 mg/L and 1.39 mg/L dissolved Al) of 1.18 mg/L dissolved Al derived in two studies with Danio rerio is recalculated and results in an LC50 of 6.077 mg/L aluminum zirconium chloride hydroxide.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Fresh water fish

Fresh water fish

Effect concentration:

6.077 mg/L

Additional information

Aluminum zirconium chloride hydroxide is an inorganic substance which will rapidly dissociate into aluminum, zirconium, chloride and hydroxide ions upon dissolution in the environment. However, zirconium ions will not remain as such in solution. Thus, regarding the environmental fate and toxicity of Aluminum zirconium chloride hydroxide, it can be assumed that environmental fate and toxicity (if any) will not be driven by zirconium. Therefore, full read-across to other aluminum substances considering a typical aluminum content of ca. 19.4% is justified (see below).

Two short-term studies of aluminum sulphate with fish are available. Both tests were performed with Danio rerio. One test was static without pH adjustment. In this test an LC50 was found of 1 mg/l (dissolved Al) at a pH of approximately 5. The second test was semi-static with pH adjustment. The test substance concentrations were in a range of 62.5 to 1000 mg/l (nominal), this resulted in dissolved aluminum concentrations of 0.247 to 0.105 mg/l (the concentration decreased with increasing nominal concentrations). The pH was between 7.4 and 8.0. No effects were found in this test, therefore, LC50 is greater than 0.247 mg/l (dissolved Al), which was the maximum soluble concentration under the test conditons.  

Another short-term study of Danio rerio with dialuminum chloride pentahydroxide valid with restrictions was found. Two tests were performed one at a pH of 7.9 -8.1 and one at pH 6.0. In both tests no effects were found up to 100 mg/l. As no chemical analyses were performed, the endpoint can only be expressed in nominal test substance concentrations.

Further, two short-term fish studies of aluminum chloride, basic are available. Both tests were performed withDanio rerio. One test was static without pH adjustment. In this test an LC50 was found of 1.39 mg/l (dissolved Al) at a pH between 4.7 and 6.9. The second test was semi-static with pH adjustment. The test substance concentrations were in a range of 62.5 to 1000 mg/l (nominal), this resulted in dissolved aluminum concentrations of 0.082 to 0.156 mg/l. The pH was between 7.5 and 8.2. No effects were found in this test, therefore, LC50 is greater than 0.156 mg/l (dissolved Al).