Glycerides, C8-18 and C18-unsatd., reaction products with ethylene oxide and glycerol

Endpoint summary

Description of key information

Key study: Experimental results: OECD guideline 422 and EU method. GLP study. 
Based on the results, a No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) of at least 1000 mg/kg bw/day was derived.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Repeated dose toxicity: via oral route - systemic effects

Link to relevant study records

Reference

Reference 1

Endpoint:

short-term repeated dose toxicity: oral

Remarks:

combined repeated dose and reproduction / developmental screening

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

From 06 December 2011 to 02 April 2012

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 422 (Combined Repeated Dose Toxicity Study with the Reproduction / Developmental Toxicity Screening Test)

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

yes (incl. QA statement)

Limit test:

no

Species:

rat

Strain:

Wistar

Sex:

male/female

Details on test animals or test system and environmental conditions:

TEST ANIMALS
- Source: Charles River Deutschland, Sulzfeld, Germany.
- Age at study initiation: Age at start F0-treatment: Approximately 10 weeks.
- Weight at study initiation: Males: Mean: 284-286 g. Females: Mean: 196-197 g
- Housing:
Pre-mating: Animals were housed in groups of 5 animals/sex/cage in Macrolon plastic cages (MIV type, height 18 cm).
Mating: Females were caged together with males on a one-to-one-basis in Macrolon plastic cages (MIII type, height 18 cm).
Post-mating: Males were housed in their home cage (Macrolon plastic cages, MIV type, height 18 cm) with a maximum of 5 animals/cage. Females were individually housed in Macrolon plastic cages (MIII type, height 18 cm).
Lactation: Pups were kept with the dam until termination in Macrolon plastic cages (MIII type, height 18 cm). During locomotor activity monitoring of the dams the pups were kept warm in their home cage using bottles filled with warm water. In order to avoid hypothermia of pups, pups were not left without their dam or a bottle filled with warm water for longer than 30-40 minutes.
General: Sterilized sawdust as bedding material (Litalabo, S.P.P.S., Argenteuil, France) and paper as cage-enrichment/nesting material (Enviro-dri, Wm. Lillico & Son (Wonham Mill Ltd), Surrey, United Kingdom) were supplied. During locomotor activity monitoring, animals were housed individually in a Hi-temp polycarbonate cage (Ancare corp., USA; dimensions: 48.3 x 26.7 x 20.3 cm) without cage-enrichment or bedding material.
- Diet (e.g. ad libitum): Free access to pelleted rodent diet (SM R/M-Z from SSNIFF® Spezialdiäten GmbH, Soest, Germany).
- Water (e.g. ad libitum): Free access to tap-water.
- Acclimation period: Acclimatization F0: At least 5 days prior to start of treatment.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
- Temperature (°C): 18-24 ºC
- Humidity (%): 40 to 70%
- Air changes (per hr): approximately 15 room air changes/hour
- Photoperiod (hrs dark / hrs light): 12-hour light/12-hour dark cycle.

IN-LIFE DATES: From: 06 December 2011 To: 02 April 2012

Route of administration:

oral: gavage

Vehicle:

water

Details on oral exposure:

PREPARATION OF DOSING SOLUTIONS:
Formulations (w/w) were prepared daily within 6 hours prior to dosing and were homogenized to a visually acceptable level. Adjustment was made for density (1.084 g/cm3) of the test substance.

Analytical verification of doses or concentrations:

yes

Details on analytical verification of doses or concentrations:

The concentrations analysed in the formulations at dose concentrations of 10, 30, 100 and 200 mg/ml were in agreement with target concentrations (i.e. mean accuracies between 85% and 115%).

The formulations at the entire range were homogeneous (i.e. coefficient of variation ≤ 10%).

Formulations at the entire range were stable when stored at room temperature under normal laboratory light conditions for at least 6 hours.

Duration of treatment / exposure:

Males were exposed for 29 days, i.e. 2 weeks prior to mating, during mating, and up to the day prior to scheduled necropsy.

Females were exposed for 41-54 days, i.e. during 2 weeks prior to mating, during mating, during post-coitum, and during at least 4 days of lactation (up to the day prior to scheduled necropsy).

Frequency of treatment:

Once daily for 7 days per week.

Remarks:

Doses / Concentrations:
0, 100, 300 and 1000 mg/kg bw/day
Basis:
actual ingested

No. of animals per sex per dose:

10 animals/sex/dose

Control animals:

yes

Details on study design:

- Dose selection rationale: Based on the results of a 10-day dose range finding study, the dose levels for this combined 28-day oral gavage study with reproduction/developmental toxicity screening test were selected to be 100, 300 and 1000 mg/kg bw/day.

Observations and examinations performed and frequency:

MORTALITY / VIABILITY: Yes
- Time schedule: At least twice daily.

DETAILED CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS: Yes
- Time schedule: At least once daily from start of treatment onwards, detailed clinical observations were made in all animals. Once prior to start of treatment and at weekly intervals during the treatment period this was also performed outside the home cage in a standard arena.

BODY WEIGHT: Yes
- Time schedule for examinations: Males and females were weighed on the first day of exposure and weekly thereafter. Mated females were weighed on Days 0, 4, 7, 11, 14, 17 and 20 post-coitum and during lactation on Days 1 and 4.

FOOD CONSUMPTION AND COMPOUND INTAKE: Yes
- Time schedule for examinations: Weekly, except for males and females which were housed together for mating and for females without evidence of mating. Food consumption of mated females was measured on Days 0, 4, 7, 11, 14, 17 and 20 postcoitum and on Days 1 and 4 of lactation.

HAEMATOLOGY: Yes
- Time schedule for collection of blood: End of treatment
- Anaesthetic used for blood collection: Yes (isoflurane)
- Animals fasted: Yes
- How many animals: Blood samples were collected from the selected 5 animals/sex/group.
- Parameters:
White blood cells (WBC)
Differential leucocyte count:
Neutrophils
Lymphocytes
Monocytes
Eosinophils
Basophils
Red blood cells
Reticulocytes
Red blood cell distribution width (RDW)
Haemoglobin
Haematocrit
Mean corpuscular volume (MCV)
Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH)
Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC)
Platelets
Prothrombin Time (PT)
Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT)

CLINICAL CHEMISTRY: Yes
- Time schedule for collection of blood: End of treatment
- Animals fasted: Yes
- How many animals: Blood samples were collected from the selected 5 animals/sex/group.
- Parameters:
Alanine aminotransferase (ALAT)
Aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT)
Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
Total protein
Albumin
Total Bilirubin
Bile acids
Urea
Creatinine
Glucose
Cholesterol
Sodium
Potassium
Chloride
Calcium
Inorganic Phosphate (Inorg. Phos)

NEUROBEHAVIOURAL EXAMINATION: Yes
- Time schedule for examinations: The selected males were tested during Week 4 of treatment and the selected females were tested towards the end of the scheduled lactation period (from lactation Day 4 onwards). These tests were conducted after dosing (all before blood sampling) at no specific time point, but within a similar time period after dosing for the respective animals.
- Dose groups that were examined: 5 animals/sex/group
- Battery of functions tested:
- hearing ability
- pupillary reflex
- static righting reflex
- grip strength
- locomotor activity

Sacrifice and pathology:

GROSS PATHOLOGY: Yes
Necropsy was conducted on the following days:
Females which delivered: Lactation Days 5-7.
Females which failed to deliver: Post-coitum Days 26-27 (females with evidence of mating) or approximately 21 days after the last day of the mating period (females without evidence of mating).
Males: Following completion of the mating period (a minimum of 28 days of dose administration).

All animals were subjected to macroscopic examination of the cranial, thoracic and abdominal tissues and organs, with special attention being paid to the reproductive organs. The numbers of former implantation sites and corpora lutea were recorded for all paired females.

HISTOPATHOLOGY: Yes
Samples of the following tissues and organs were collected and fixed in 10% buffered formalin.

Selected 5 animals/sex/group:
Identification marks: not processed
Ovaries
Adrenal glands
(Pancreas)
(Aorta)
Peyer's patches [jejunum, ileum] if detectable
Brain - cerebellum, mid-brain, cortex
Pituitary gland
Caecum
Preputial gland
Cervix
Prostate gland
Clitoral gland
Rectum
Colon
(Salivary glands - mandibular, sublingual)
Coagulation gland
Sciatic nerve
Duodenum
Seminal vesicles
Epididymides
Skeletal muscle
Eyes (with optic nerve (if detectable) and Harderian gland)
(Skin)
Spinal cord -cervical, midthoracic, lumbar
Female mammary gland area
Spleen
Femur including joint
Sternum with bone marrow
Heart
Stomach
Ileum
Testes
Jejunum
Thymus
Kidneys
Thyroid including parathyroid if detectable
(Lacrimal gland, exorbital)
(Tongue)
(Larynx)
Trachea
Liver
Urinary bladder
Lung, infused with formalin
Uterus
Lymph nodes - mandibular, mesenteric
Vagina
(Nasopharynx)
All gross lesions
(Esophagus)

All remaining animals, females which failed to deliver:
Cervix
Preputial gland
Clitoral gland
Prostate gland
Coagulation gland
Seminal vesicles
Epididymides
Testes
Mammary gland area
Uterus
Ovaries
Vagina
Identification marks: not processed
All gross lesions

The following slides were examined by a pathologist:
- The preserved organs and tissues of the selected 5 animals/sex of Groups 1 and 4.
- The additional slides of the testes of the selected 5 males of Groups 1 and 4 and all males suspected to be infertile to examine staging of spermatogenesis.
- All gross lesions of all animals (all dose groups).
- The reproductive organs of all males that failed to sire and all females that failed to deliver healthy pups.

Other examinations:

ORGAN WEIGHTS:
The following organ weights and terminal body weight were recorded from the following animals on the scheduled day of necropsy:
Selected 5 animals/sex/group:
Adrenal glands
Spleen
Brain
Testes
Epididymides
Thymus
Heart
Uterus (including cervix)
Kidneys
Prostate
Liver
Seminal vesicles including coagulating glands
Ovaries
Thyroid including parathyroid

All remaining males:
Epididymides
Testes

Statistics:

The following statistical methods were used to analyze the data:
- If the variables could be assumed to follow a normal distribution, the Dunnett-test based on a pooled variance estimate was applied for the comparison of the treated groups and the control groups for each sex.
- The Steel-test was applied if the data could not be assumed to follow a normal distribution.
- The Fisher Exact-test was applied to frequency data.

The following additional methods of statistical analysis were used:
Locomotor activity data was subjected to the Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric ANOVA test to determine intergroup differences followed by the Wilcoxon test to compare the treated groups to the control group.

All tests were two-sided and in all cases p < 0.05 was accepted as the lowest level of significance. Group means were calculated for continuous data and medians were calculated for discrete data (scores) in the summary tables. Test statistics were calculated on the basis of exact values for means and pooled variances. Individual values, means and standard deviations may have been rounded off before printing. Therefore, two groups may display the same printed means for a given parameter, yet display different test statistics values.

Clinical signs:

no effects observed

Mortality:

no mortality observed

Body weight and weight changes:

no effects observed

Food consumption and compound intake (if feeding study):

no effects observed

Food efficiency:

not examined

Water consumption and compound intake (if drinking water study):

not examined

Ophthalmological findings:

not examined

Haematological findings:

no effects observed

Clinical biochemistry findings:

no effects observed

Urinalysis findings:

not examined

Behaviour (functional findings):

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

(A statistically significantly higher locomotor activity noted for females at 1000 mg/kg bw/day as compared to controls was not considered adverse)

Organ weight findings including organ / body weight ratios:

no effects observed

Gross pathological findings:

no effects observed

Histopathological findings: non-neoplastic:

no effects observed

Histopathological findings: neoplastic:

no effects observed

Details on results:

CLINICAL SIGNS AND MORTALITY
No mortality occurred during the study period.

No clinical signs of toxicity were noted during the observation period. Incidental findings that were noted for control and/or treated animals included alopecia and scabbing on different parts of the body. These findings occurred within the range of background findings to be expected for rats of this age and strain which are housed and treated under the conditions in this study. At the incidence observed, these were considered signs of no toxicological relevance.

BODY WEIGHT AND WEIGHT GAIN
Body weights and body weight gain of treated animals remained in the same range as controls over the treatment period.

FOOD CONSUMPTION AND COMPOUND INTAKE
Food consumption before or after allowance for body weight was similar between treated and control animals.

HAEMATOLOGY
Haematological parameters of treated rats were considered not to have been affected by treatment.

The higher reticulocyte count with concurrent increased red blood cell distribution width noted for one female at 300 mg/kg bw/day was considered as a chance finding, since it was an isolated finding in the mid dose group only. Moreover, values remained within the normal range of biological variation.

CLINICAL CHEMISTRY
Clinical biochemistry parameters of treated rats were considered not to have been affected by treatment.

Significantly lower total bilirubin was recorded for males at 300 mg/kg bw/day. In the absence of a treatment-related distribution, this finding was not considered as a sign of toxicity. At the individual level, higher alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase values were recorded for one male at 1000 mg/kg bw/day. Both values were above the normal range of biological variation. However, since for this male no adverse effects were seen on clinical appearance, body weights, liver organ weight, macroscopy and microscopy, these isolated findings were not considered treatment-related.

NEUROBEHAVIOUR
Females at 1000 mg/kg showed a statistically significant higher locomotor activity (total movements and ambulations) as compared to controls. The habituation profile was comparable to that of the control, 100 and 300 mg/kg bw/day groups, with very high activity in the first interval that decreased over the duration of the test period. However, for females at 1000 mg/kg bw/day, locomotor activity started higher and remained higher throughout the observation period. No treatment-related effects on locomotor activity were seen for females at 100 and 300 mg/kg bw/day and males up to 1000 mg/kg bw/day. Hearing ability, pupillary reflex, static righting reflex and grip strength were normal in all animals.

ORGAN WEIGHTS
There were no toxicologically relevant changes in organ weights or organ to body weight ratios seen with treatment up to 1000 mg/kg.

Statistically significant changes included lower seminal vesicle organ weights (absolute and relative to body weight) for males at 100, 300 and 1000 mg/kg bw/day, higher relative brain weights for males at 300 mg/kg bw/day and higher relative adrenal weights for males at 1000 mg/kg bw/day. These findings were considered not to be toxicologically relevant as changes were very slight, a treatment-related trend was absent, no corroborative histopathological changes were evident and/or the reproductive ability of the males was not affected.

GROSS PATHOLOGY
Macroscopic observations at necropsy did not reveal any alterations that were considered to have arisen as a result of treatment.

Incidental findings seen for control and/or treated animals included pelvic dilation of the kidneys (unilateral), greenish, soft nodule on the tail of the epididymides (both unilateral and bilateral), redbrown discoloration of the thymus, enlarged mandibular lymph nodes (unilateral), tan discoloration of the clitoral glands, and alopecia on different sides of the body. The incidence of these macroscopic findings was within the background range of findings that are encountered among rats of this age and strain, and did not show a dose-related incidence trend. They were therefore considered to be of no toxicological relevance.

HISTOPATHOLOGY: NON-NEOPLASTIC
There were no microscopic observations attributed to the test article.

No significant abnormalities were seen in the reproductive organs of the paired animals that failed to conceive.

Staging of spermatogenesis did not provide any evidence of test article related impairment to the spermatogenetic cycle

Dose descriptor:

NOAEL

Effect level:

1 000 mg/kg bw/day (actual dose received)

Based on:

test mat.

Sex:

male/female

Basis for effect level:

other: No adverse effects observed at the highest dose level.

Critical effects observed:

not specified

Conclusions:

Based on these results, a No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) of at least 1000 mg/kg bw/day was derived.

Executive summary:

The test substance was administered by daily oral gavage to male and female Wistar Han rats at dose levels of 100, 300, or 1000 mg/kg bw/day. Males were exposed for 2 weeks prior to mating, during mating, and up to termination (for 29 days). The females were exposed for 2 weeks prior to mating, during mating, during post-coitum, and at least 4 days of lactation (for 41- 54 days). Formulation analysis showed that the formulations were prepared accurately and homogenously, and were stable for at least 6 hours at room temperature.

No parental toxicity was evident up to the highest dose level tested (1000 mg/kg bw/day). The statistically significantly higher locomotor activity (total movements and ambulations) noted for females at 1000 mg/kg bw/day as compared to controls was not considered adverse, since changes were relatively slight, and occurred in the absence of concurrent clinical signs or changes in other

functional observation tests.

No treatment-related effects were noted on any of the remaining parental parameters investigated in this study (i.e. clinical appearance, hearing ability, pupillary reflex, static righting reflex and grip strength, body weight, food consumption, clinical laboratory investigations, macroscopic examination, organ weights, and microscopic examination).

Based on these results, a No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) of at least 1000 mg/kg bw/day was derived.

Reference 2

Endpoint:

sub-chronic toxicity: oral

Type of information:

read-across from supporting substance (structural analogue or surrogate)

Adequacy of study:

weight of evidence

Justification for type of information:

REPORTING FORMAT FOR THE ANALOGUE APPROACH
Further details are given in the endpoint summary "Repeated dose toxicity"

1. HYPOTHESIS FOR THE ANALOGUE APPROACH
This read-across is based on the hypothesis that source and target substances have similar toxicological properties because
-      they are manufactured from similar resp. identical precursors
-      they share structuralsimilarities with common functional groups:glycerol as head-group, PEG-linker and fatty acids
Thus a common mode of action can be assumed. Therefore, read-across from the existing repeated dose toxicity studies conducted with the source substances PEG-40 Castor Oil, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil and PEG-8 caprylic/capric glycerides is considered as an appropriate adaptation to the standard information requirements of the REACH Regulation for the target substance, in accordance with the provisions of Annex XI, 1.5 of the REACH Regulation.

2. SOURCE AND TARGET CHEMICAL(S) (INCLUDING INFORMATION ON PURITY AND IMPURITIES)
Further details are given in the endpoint summary "Repeated dose toxicity"

3. ANALOGUE APPROACH JUSTIFICATION
Further details are given in the endpoint summary "Repeated dose toxicity"

4. DATA MATRIX
Further details are given in the endpoint summary "Repeated dose toxicity"

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

read-across: supporting information

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

read-across source

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

read-across source

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

read-across source

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

read-across source

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

read-across source

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

read-across source

Species:

other: rat and dog

Route of administration:

oral: feed

Dose descriptor:

NOEL

Remarks:

rat, 90 d

Effect level:

5 other: % in diet

Based on:

act. ingr.

Sex:

male/female

Basis for effect level:

other: no significant gross or microscopic lesions were found at either 8 wk or 90 days

Dose descriptor:

NOEL

Remarks:

dog, 90 d

Effect level:

5 other: % in diet

Based on:

act. ingr.

Sex:

male/female

Basis for effect level:

other: No significant difference was observed in weight gain, feed intake, or hematologic values between treated animals and the control group

Critical effects observed:

no

Conclusions:

It is concluded that the target substance Reaction products of tryglycerides, C8-C18 (even numbered) and C18-unsaturated, glycerine and ethylene oxide does not have adverse effects up to 5% in diet based on the results obtained with the structurally related source substancesPEG-40 Castor Oil, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil and PEG-8 caprylic/capric glycerides.

Endpoint conclusion

Endpoint conclusion:

no adverse effect observed

Dose descriptor:

NOAEL

1 000 mg/kg bw/day

Study duration:

subacute

Species:

rat

Quality of whole database:

Klimisch 1 and the study was carried out in accordance with internationally valid GLP principles (sub-acute toxicity study).

Repeated dose toxicity: inhalation - systemic effects

Endpoint conclusion

Endpoint conclusion:

no study available

Repeated dose toxicity: inhalation - local effects

Endpoint conclusion

Endpoint conclusion:

no study available

Repeated dose toxicity: dermal - systemic effects

Endpoint conclusion

Endpoint conclusion:

no study available

Repeated dose toxicity: dermal - local effects

Endpoint conclusion

Endpoint conclusion:

no study available

Additional information

Key study: Experimental results: OECD guideline 422 and EU method. GLP study.

 

Adaptation of information requirements

According to Annex XI, 1.2 of the REACH regulation some substances may be excluded from testing for repeated dose toxicity if it does not appear scientifically necessary. Following the approach outline in guidance on information requirements R7a, integrated test strategy, further testing on sub-chronic toxicity with Reachtion products of tryglycerides, C8-C18 (even numbered) and C18-unsaturated, glycerine and ethylene oxide does not appear scientifically necessary, based on the following reasons considered in a weight of evidence approach:

For Reaction products of tryglycerides, C8-C18 (even numbered) and C18-unsaturated, glycerine and ethylene oxide there is sufficient evidence fromseveral independent sources of informationleading to the assumption/conclusion that the substancedoes not have a particular dangerous property (Repeated dose toxicity after oral administration). TheWeight of Evidenceanalysis demonstrates that the available information is sufficient for an adequate hazard characterisation and classification and labelling purposes. A CSA is available where it is shown, that the exposure to the substance is adequately controlled.

1)    There is convincing and valid data available that Reaction products of tryglycerides, C8-C18 (even numbered) and C18-unsaturated, glycerine and ethylene oxideis unreactive or inert

a.    Regarding the chemical structure of the substance, there are no groups associated with certain reactivity like oxidizing properties or extreme pH-values. This is supported by negative findings from irritation, sensitization and mutagenicity studies.

 

2)    Possible local effects have been adequately characterised.

a.    There are reliable tests available for all required endpoints which affect local toxicity (eye and skin irritation and sensitisation). All studies are fully valid (Klimisch1), are summarized in the technical dossier as RSS and all have a clear negative outcome (no irritation, no sensitization).

 

3)    Reliable data is available to justify that the substance is of low acute, subacute and subchronic toxicity.

a.    Reliable Klimisch 1 studies are available showing no oral and dermal acute toxicity (LD50 oral > 5000 mg/kg bw, LD50 dermal > 2000 mg/kg bw). The studies are already documented as RSS in the technical dossier.

b.   Data from a combined Repeated Dose Toxicity study with the Reproduction/Developmental Toxicity Screening Test according to OECD TG 422 (Klimisch1) are available. The No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) for repeated dose toxicity, as well as for reproductive and developmental toxicity was considered to be 1000 mg/kg body weight/day, the highest tested dose and limit dose of guideline. The study is already documented as RSS in the technical dossier.

c.    Additional supporting information on similar substances is available showing also low (sub)chronic toxicity for this type of substances. Details are given in the respective study summaries and discussed in the endpoint summary.

 

4)    This pattern is coupled with limited human exposure.

a.    The substance is only handled in industrial or commercial installations using predominantly closed systems.

b.   The vapour pressure is sufficiently low that inhalational exposures are unlikely to be of significance, and human exposure is limited to dusts or aerosols unlikely to be inhalable.

c.    The substance is handled only as preparations at low concentrations.

d.   Concerning consumer uses the substance is predominantly used as an ingredient for cosmetic preparations and this use is outside the scope of REACH.

The above mentioned claims are substantiated by relevant data which are included in the dossier. An exposure and risk assessment covering all REACH relevant scenarios is also included demonstrating that there is only limited human exposure.

Supporting data from related substances

In a 90 day feeding study, groups of 15 Sherman-Wistar rats were fed diets containing 0.01%, 0.04%, 0.16%, 0.64%, 2.5%, and 5.0% (initially 10 .0%) PEG-40 Castor Oil. After 1 wk on the diet, the animals of the 10.0% treatment group stopped eating the feed, so the concentration was reduced to 5.0%.

Weight gain, feed intake and hematology results were comparable between the experimental groups and the control group. No significant gross or microscopic lesions were found at either 8 wk or 90 days.

Therefore no observed effect level (NOEL) of was considered to be 5.0% in diet, corresponding to 5000 mg/kg bw/d taking into account typical body weight and feed consumption of rats.

In a 90 day feeding study, Beagle dogs (3 in the control group, 1 in the treament groups) were fed diets containing 0.04%, 0.64%, and 5.0% PEG-40 Castor Oil.

No significant difference was observed in weight gain, feed intake, or hematologic values between the dogs fed the PEG-40 Castor Oil diet and the untreated control dogs.

At necropsy, perilobular cellular infiltration and parasitic granulomas were observed, but these conditions also were present in the control animals and were attributed to parasitic infection and migration rather than a treatment-related effect.

Therefore no observed effect level (NOEL) of was considered to be 5.0% in diet, corresponding to 2250 mg/kg bw/d taking into account typical body weight and feed consumption of Beagle dogs.

 

In a 6 months feeding study, groups of 3 Beagle dogs were fed diets containing 1, 2.5 and 5.0% PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil.

No significant changes in behavior, feed intake, or body weight gain were observed. Hematologic and biochemical parameters and urine analyses were similar to those of the control group. One male dog of the low-dose group died before termination of the study, but its death was considered unrelated to treatment.

At necropsy, body and organ weights were within normal limits and no gross changes were observed.

Therefore no observed effect level (NOEL) of was considered to be 5.0% in diet, corresponding to 2250 mg/kg bw/d taking into account typical body weight and feed consumption of Beagle dogs.

 

In a 6 months feeding study, groups of 20 Sprague-Dawley rats were fed diets containing 32000, 64000 and 100000 ppm PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil.

During the study, no significant changes in feed intake, body weight gain, or hematologic evaluations were observed.

At study termination, body and organ weights were within the parameters of those of the control group and no significant changes in gross or microscopic lesions were found.

Therefore no observed effect level (NOEL) of was considered to be 100000 ppm in diet, corresponding to 10000 mg/kg bw/d taking into account typical body weight and feed consumption of rats.

 

Further, though very limited information is also available on PEG-8 caprylic/capric glycerides:

No adverse effects were observed in dogs that were dosed orally for 13 wks with 1.0 g/kg bw/day PEG-8 caprylic/capric glycerides.

 

Furthermore, reviews of the existing REACH registration dossiers suggest that a 28-day oral toxicity study (especially with a NOAEL of >/=1000 mg/kg bw/d) is able to predict the 90-day oral toxicity test. Thus, the conduct of a 90 d study seems to have no added value and therefore is scientifically not justified.

A review of the ECHA CHEM database identified 18 substances with a ‘low toxicity’ result in the 28-day study and no reports of toxicity in other acute tests. Of these substances, 16 (89%) also showed no signs of toxicity at, or close to, the limit dose of 1000 mg/kg bw/d in the 90-day study. The conclusion therefore is that if a substance conforms to a number of criteria indicating a ‘low (sub)acute toxicity profile’ then the 90-day study may be redundant.

It is suggested to consider a substance to be of low toxicity profile if the following criteria are met:

- Experimental data equivalent to OECD test method TG 407, on the substance itself, conducted 1981 or later, with reliability score 1 or 2 and conducted to the limit dose (1000 mg/kg bw/d) or higher, with a study result reported to be a NOAEL of 1000 mg/kg bw/day or higher.

- The substance is not reported to be mutagenic or a skin sensitiser or acutely toxic by any route and there are adequate data to support this (i.e. any positive results from in vitro mutagenicity tests are followed up).

- There is no additional evidence based on physical chemical properties, structure or use to suggest that the substance could be biologically active.

 

In a review of ECHA’s public database of REACH registration dossiers the hypothesis that a 28-day oral toxicity test can predict the 90-day oral toxicity test was addressed.

In the total dataset, 305 substances had 28-day studies with NOAEL ≥ 1,000 mg/kg b.w., with 68.9% having a matching high 90-day NOAEL and 31.1% having a lower NOAEL. This data shows that the 28-day NOAEL is predictive (albeit imperfectly) of 90-day NOAELs.

The interrelationship of 28-day and 90-day NOAEL is also used very pragmatically in line with ECHA’s test guidance to estimate from a 28-day study a 90-day Derived No-Effect Level (DNEL) using an assessment factor of 3. 133 substances had both 9-day and 28-day key studies. Only 11 chemicals had NOAEL below one third of the 28-day NOAEL, while 122 (91.7%) were within this limit. Given the reproducibility issues of repeated-dose studies, this is a strong confirmation of this pragmatic approach.

 

Justification for read-across

This read-across is based on the hypothesis that source and target substances have similar toxicological properties because

-      they are manufactured from similar resp. identical precursors

-      they share structuralsimilarities with common functional groups:glycerol as head-group, PEG-linker and fatty acids

Thus a common mode of action can be assumed. Therefore, read-across from the existing repeated dose toxicity studies conducted with the source substances PEG-40 Castor Oil, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil and PEG-8 caprylic/capric glycerides is considered as an appropriate adaptation to the standard information requirements of the REACH Regulation for the target substance, in accordance with the provisions of Annex XI, 1.5 of the REACH Regulation.

 

The general structure of the target and source substance is shown below (see attachment).

	Target substance	Source substance	Source substance	Source substance
Substance name	Reaction products of tryglycerides, C8-C18 (even numbered) and C18-unsaturated, glycerine and ethylene oxide	PEG-40 Castor Oil	PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil	PEG-8 caprylic/capric glycerides
Number of PEG-units (mean)	2	40	40	8
C-chains	C8: 3-10% C10: 3-8% C12: 44-54% C14: 14-20% C16: 7-11% C18: 1-4% C18’: 5-20% C18’’: 1-4%	Mainly ricinoleic acid (12-hydroxy-9-cis-octadecenoic acid)	Mainly C18satd.-OH (12-hydroxy-octadecanoic acid)	Mainly C8 + C10

Differences in the intrinsic properties of the target and source substances could potentially arise from the following facts:

The source substances PEG-40 Castor Oil and PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil contain longer PEG-chains as linker compared to the target substance which on the one hand increases the molecular weight, but on the other hand makes the source substances more hydrophilic. 

The source substances PEG-40 Castor Oil and PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil contain – in contrast to the target substance – the hydroxy-fatty acid ricinoleic acid (12-hydroxy-9-cis-octadecenoic acid).

 

The source substance PEG-8 caprylic/capric glycerides contains only short fatty acid chains, but slightly longer PEG-linkers compared to the target substance, which is expected to increase hydrophilicity and thereby bioavailability of the source substance.

 

The structural similarities between the substances as presented above support the read-across hypothesis. It is concluded that the target substance Reaction products of tryglycerides, C8-C18 (even numbered) and C18-unsaturated, glycerine and ethylene oxide does not have adverse effects up to 5% in diet based on the results obtained with the structurally related source substances PEG-40 Castor Oil, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil and PEG-8 caprylic/capric glycerides.

Justification for classification or non-classification

Based on the available information, the substance is not classified for repeated dose toxicity.