Registration Dossier
Registration Dossier
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EC number: 200-579-1 | CAS number: 64-18-6
Short-term toxicity to fish
Administrative data
Link to relevant study record(s)
Description of key information
With high probability acutely not harmful to fish.
Key value for chemical safety assessment
Fresh water fish
Fresh water fish
- Effect concentration:
- 130 mg/L
Marine water fish
Marine water fish
- Effect concentration:
- 1 700 mg/L
Additional information
Regarding the acute toxicity of formic acid to fish, three studies using freshwater species as well as one study which applied saltwater species are available. A test performed by Fraunhofer on behalf of Kemira Oyi (2005) was identified as key study regarding freshwater fish, as it is a GLP-guideline test including analytical test item verification. The test was performed according to OECD guideline 203 using Danio rerio as test organism. As test substance the analogous substance ammonium formate was used. Statistical evaluation of the endpoint mortality revealed a LC50 (96h) of 130 mg/L, related to the analytically verified nominal concentrations. The low hazard potential is supported by two other valid tests. One supporting study used Leuciscus idus as test species in a static non-GLP approach according to German Industrial Standard DIN 38412 part 15 (BASF AG, 1989). After 96 hours of exposure a LC50 >100 mg/L was estimated for a neutralized sample, related to the nominal concentrations. Non neutralized samples revealed a LC50 between 46.4 mg/L (0% mortality) and 100 mg/L (100% mortality). This effect is clearly pH-dependent as pH values in the samples of the highest concentration were measured to be approx. 3.3. The second supporting study was performed according to GLP and OECD guideline 203 using the analogous substance potassium formate (Huntingdon on behalf of Kemira Oyi, 1992). As test species Oncorhynchus mykiss was applied. In the static approach a LC50 (96h) of 3500 mg/L was estimated, related to the nominal concentrations.
The only available study on marine fish was performed according to a national british guideline using turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) as test species (Huntingdon on behalf of Kemira Oyi, 1992). The GLP-test was conducted with the analogous substance potassium formate as test material. After 96 hours of exposure, a LC50 of 1700 mg/L was estimated, related to the nominal concentrations.
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