Reaction mass of 4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol and phenol

Short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Type of information:

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

Adequacy of study:

key study

Justification for type of information:

REPORTING FORMAT FOR THE ANALOGUE APPROACH

1. HYPOTHESIS FOR THE ANALOGUE APPROACH
This read-across is based on the hypothesis that the properties of the target substance Reaction mass of phenol and 4,4’-isopropylidenediphenol can be predicted by studies conducted with the source substances phenol, 4,4’-isopropylidenediphenol (BPA), and 2-acetone, polymer with phenol, because the target substance Reaction mass of phenol and 4,4’-isopropylidenediphenol contains phenol (40-45%, typical concentration ca. 40%) and 4,4’-isopropylidenediphenol (BPA) (20-40%, typical concentration ca. 33%) as main constituents. Both constituents are data rich substances with distinct hazard properties, so that mainly data on the constituents have been applied to characterize the Reaction mass of phenol and 4,4’-isopropylidenediphenol. Since this is a common approach in mixture hazard assessment, is reasonable to apply it also to multi-constituent substances.
Additionally, some data from a structurally related substance (2-acetone, polymer with phenol) containing the same constituents/impurities at different concentrations are available, which are applied to characterize the environmental fate and ecotoxicity of the impurities present in the Reaction mass of phenol and 4,4’-isopropylidenediphenol.

This read-across hypothesis corresponds to scenario 2 - different compounds have qualitatively and quantitatively the same type of effects - of the read-across assessment framework i.e. properties of the target substance Reaction mass of phenol and 4,4’-isopropylidenediphenol are predicted to be similar to those of the source substances phenol, 4,4’-isopropylidenediphenol (BPA), and 2-acetone, polymer with phenol.

Therefore, read-across from the available studies with the source substances is considered as an appropriate adaptation to the standard information requirements of the REACH Regulation for the target substance Reaction mass of phenol and 4,4’-isopropylidenediphenol, 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)
please refer to justification for read-across attached to Iuclid section 13

3. ANALOGUE APPROACH JUSTIFICATION
please refer to justification for read-across attached to Iuclid section 13

4. DATA MATRIX
please refer to justification for read-across attached to Iuclid section 13

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

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

10.2 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

meas. (not specified)

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mobility

Remarks on result:

other: BPA

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

3.1 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

meas. (not specified)

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mobility

Remarks on result:

other: phenol

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

8.27 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

meas. (initial)

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mobility

Remarks on result:

other: 2-Acetone, polymer with phenol

Conclusions:

The lowest effect level obtained in freshwater organisms for BPA was the 48 h EC50 of 10.2 mg/L in Daphnia magna; for marine organisms (Mysidopsis bahia) the 96 h EC50 was 1.1 mg/L.
The EC50 for phenol was 3.1 mg/L.
Due to the physicochemical properties of phenol, this major constituent of the reaction mass is capable of targeting aquatic and terrestrial wildlife through a different exposure route than 4,4’-isopropylidenediphenol. Therefore, to adequately characterize the hazard of the reaction mass toward ecotoxicology endpoints, the toxicity and fate of both major constituents of the reaction mass of phenol and 4,4’-isopropylidenediphenol were considered and two sets of PNECs (one for phenol one for 4,4’-isopropylidenediphenol) were derived and an assessment entity approach was applied.

Description of key information

When a freshwater invertebrate species, Ceriodaphnia dubia, was exposed to phenol, a major component of the reaction mass of phenol and 4,4’-isopropylidenediphenol (referred to henceforth as “the reaction mass”), the 48-hour EC50 value was 3.1 mg/L. When a saltwater species, the mysid shrimp (Americamysis bahia), was exposed to Bisphenol A (a.k.a. 4,4’-isopropylidenediphenol, which is the other major component of the reaction mass), the 96-hour EC50 value was 1.1 mg/L.  These results were selected as key studies, since they were from valid toxicity tests that reported the lowest EC50 values for these parameters.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Fresh water invertebrates

Fresh water invertebrates

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Remarks:

Phenol

Effect concentration:

3.1 mg/L

Fresh water invertebrates

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Remarks:

BPA

Effect concentration:

10.2 mg/L

Marine water invertebrates

Marine water invertebrates

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Remarks:

BPA

Effect concentration:

1.1 mg/L

Additional information

No experimental data are available for the target substance reaction mass of phenol and 4,4’-isopropylidenediphenol. The toxicity to invetebrates was assessed by examination of the properties of the constituents and impurities of the multi-constituent substance. A justification for read-across is attached to Iuclid section 13.

 

Studies with Bisphenol A

A 96-hr acute flow-through mysid (Mysidopsis bahia) study was performed with nominal concentrations of 0, 0.89, 1.4, 2.1, 3.2, and 5.0 mg/L. These corresponded to measured concentrations of 0, 0.51, 0.86, 1.4, 1.9, and 3.3, respectively. The 24-, 48-, 72-, and 96-hour LC50's (95% confidence intervals) were calculated to be 3.3 (2.6-5.7), 1.6 (1.3-1.9), 1.2 (1.0-1.3), and 1.1 (0.92-1.2) mg/l, respectively. One mortality occurred in the control over the course of the study. The no discernable effect concentration in this study was found to be 0.51 mg/L. This concentration produced only one mortality among the 20 exposed mysids during the 96-hour study period.

 

A 48-hr Daphnia magna acute study under static conditions was performed. Daphnia were exposed to nominal concentrations ranging from 0.93 to 20.0 mg/L and a control. These nominal concentrations corresponded to measured concentrations ranging from 0.90 to 19.34 mg/L. The 24-hr and 48-hr EC50 values (and 95% confidence intervals) were 16 (14 -17) and 10.2 (9.2 -11) mg/L Bisphenol A, respectively.

 

Studies with Phenol

In a 48-h acute toxicity study Ceriodaphnia dubia (< 12 h old neonates at test start) was exposed to phenol at measured concentrations up to 6 mg/L (measured at test start, four concentrations and 1 control, 6, 4, 2, 1 mg/L, details of measured concentrations and recovery of nominal levels not reported) under static conditions at 25°C. 

The EC₅₀ was calculated to be 3.1 mg/L (95% C.I.:not calculated).

 

Studies with 2-Acetone, polymer with phenol

A study was performed to assess the acute toxicity of Bisphenolharz spezial to Daphnia magna STRAUS under static conditions.

The study was conducted in accordance with the Council Regulation (EC) No 440/2008, Method C.2 ‘Acute toxicity for Daphnia’ (2008) which is equivalent to OECD Guideline for Testing of Chemicals No. 202 'Daphnia sp., Acute Immobilisation Test' (adopted April 13, 2004). 

The Daphnia were exposed to a range of concentrations, nominally 2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/L of Bisphenolharz spezial dissolved in water. Auxiliaries used to prepare the test media were a mortar an ultrasonic bath, a magnetic stirrer and folded filters. 

Observations were made on the swimming ability and the immobilisation rate, respectively, after 24 and 48 hours of exposure. The 48 h EC50 was determined to be 8.27 mg/L.

The results are expressed in terms of initial concentrations. Effective concentrations ranged from 36.7 – 75.2% of nominal values at 0 hours, and from 51.6 – 73.6% of nominal values at 48 hours, respectively. Based on initial concentrations measured concentrations ranged from 94.3 – 99.1% of initial values after 24, 48 hours of exposure respectively.

 

Conclusion

The lowest effect level obtained in freshwater organisms for BPA was the 48 h EC50 of 10.2 mg/L in Daphnia magna; for marine organisms (Mysidopsis bahia) the 96 h EC50 was 1.1 mg/L.

The EC50 for phenol was 3.1 mg/L. 

Due to the physicochemical properties of phenol, this major constituent of the reaction mass is capable of targeting aquatic and terrestrial wildlife through a different exposure route than 4,4’-isopropylidenediphenol. Therefore, to adequately characterize the hazard of the reaction mass toward ecotoxicology endpoints, the toxicity and fate of both major constituents of the reaction mass of phenol and 4,4’-isopropylidenediphenol were considered and two sets of PNECs (one for phenol one for 4,4’-isopropylidenediphenol) were derived and an assessment entity approach was applied.