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Ecotoxicological information

Sediment toxicity

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Description of key information

The chemical safety assessment according to Annex I of Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 does not indicate the need to investigate further the effects on sediment organisms. Based on the presented information, toxicity to sediment organisms is not expected to be of concern.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Additional information

Fatty acids, C14-18 and C18-unsatd., branched and linear, esters with neopentyl glycol (CAS No. 85005-25-0) is readily biodegradable, chronic exposure of sediment organisms is unlikely. Furthermore, the substance is not toxic to aquatic organisms up to the limit of water solubility. In addition, Fatty acids, C14-18 and C18-unsatd., branched and linear, esters with neopentyl glycol is not expected to bioaccumulate, due to rapid metabolism. Based on the available information, toxicity to sediment organisms is not expected to be of concern.

Distribution to the environmental compartments, intrinsic properties and fate

Since direct release of Fatty acids, C14-18 and C18-unsatd., branched and linear, esters with neopentyl glycol to the aquatic system is not anticipated, release to the aquatic compartment might occur via sewage treatment plants only.

According to the Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment, Chapter R7.b (ECHA, 2012) once insoluble chemicals enter a standard STP, they will be extensively removed in the primary settling tank and fat trap and thus, only limited amounts will get in contact with activated sludge organisms. Nevertheless, once this contact takes place, these substances are expected to be removed from the water column to a significant degree by adsorption to sewage sludge (Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment, Chapter R.7b, (ECHA, 2012). Our substance of concern is characterized by a log Koc value of > 5 (KOCWIN v2.00) and is poorly water soluble (< 0.05 mg/L purified water; Frischmann, 2012) and thus will undergo the same fate as stated in the Guidance document. Furthermore, Fatty acids, C14-18 and C18-unsatd., branched and linear, esters with neopentyl glycol is readily biodegradable (60.4% CO2 evolution in 28 days; Bouillon, 2003) and according to the Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment, Chapter R.7b, readily biodegradable substances can be expected to undergo rapid and ultimate degradation in most environments, including biological Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) (ECHA, 2012). Therefore, after passing through conventional STPs, exposure of these polyol esters into the aqueous/sediment compartment are likely to be negligible.

Aquatic ecotoxicity data

Acute aquatic toxicity tests to fish, invertebrates and algae showed no adverse effects in the range of the water solubility of the substance (< 0.05 mg/L measured in aqua dest). Also, the structurally related read-across substance heptanoic acid, ester with 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol (CAS No. 68855-18-5) showed no toxicity to activated sludge organisms. Additionally, no effects occurred in the long-term toxicity tests with Daphnia magna (OECD 211) with the read-across substances Heptanoic acid, ester with 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol (CAS No. 68855-18-5) and 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediyl dioleate (CAS No. 42222-50-4) up to the highest tested concentrations 0.0019 mg/L (meas. TWA) and 1 mg/L (loading rate), respectively. The obtained results indicate that Fatty acids, C14-18 and C18-unsatd., branched and linear, esters with neopentyl glycol is also not likely to show toxicity to sediment organisms.

Metabolisms/Bioaccumulation

The test substance has a log Kow of > 10 (KOWWIN v1.67) indicating a potential for bioaccumulation. But due to the low water solubility, rapid environmental biodegradation and metabolisation via enzymatic hydrolysis, a relevant uptake and bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms is not expected. After absorption, Fatty acids, C14-18 and C18-unsatd., branched and linear, esters with neopentyl glycol is expected to be enzymatically hydrolyzed by carboxylesterases. Enzymatic breakdown will initially lead to the free fatty acid and the free alcohol (e. g. neopentyl glycol). From literature it is well known, that these hydrolysis products will be metabolized and excreted in fish effectively (Heymann, 1980; Lech & Bend, 1980; Lech & Melancon, 1980; Murphy & Lutenske, 1990). This is supported by a low calculated BCF value of 0.89 L/kg ww (BCFBAF v3.01, Arnot-Gobas, including biotransformation, upper trophic). Please refer to IUCLID Section 5.3 for a detailed overview on bioaccumulation of the NPG polyol esters. Thus, taking all information into account, the bioaccumulation of the category member Fatty acids, C14-18 and C18-unsatd., branched and linear, esters with neopentyl glycol is assumed to be low.

Conclusion

Due to its readily biodegradable nature, extensive degradation of this substance in conventional STPs will take place and only low concentrations are expected to be released (if at all) into the environment. Once present in the aquatic compartment, further biodegradation will occur and, due to the high log Kow, low water solubility and high adsorption potential, Fatty acids, C14-18 and C18-unsatd., branched and linear, esters with neopentyl glycol will be bioavailable to sediment organisms mainly via food and contact with suspended organic particles. After uptake by sediment species, extensive and fast biotransformation of the substance by carboxylesterases into fatty acids and the corresponding alcohol is expected. The supporting BCF/BAF values estimated with the BCFBAF v3.01 program, Arnot-Gobas model including biotransformation, also indicate that this substance will not be bioaccumulative (all well below 2000 L/kg). Therefore, Fatty acids, C14-18 and C18-unsatd., branched and linear, esters with neopentyl glycol is unlikely to pose a risk for sediment organisms in general and testing is thus not required.

 

References

ECHA, 2012: Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment – Chapter 7b: Endpoint specific guidance. European Chemicals Agency, Helsinki

Heymann, E. (1980): Carboxylesterases and amidases. In: Jakoby, W.B., Bend, J.R. & Caldwell, J., eds., Enzymatic Basis of Detoxication, 2nd Ed., New York: Academic Press, pp. 291-323

Lech, J.J. & Bend, J.R. (1980): Relationship between biotransformation and the toxicity and fate of xenobiotix chemicals in fish. Environ. Health Perspec. 34, 115-131

Lech, J., Melancon, M. (1980): Uptake, metabolism, and deposition of xenobiotic chemicals in fish. EPA-600 3-80-082. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, MN, USA.

Murphy, P.G., Lutenske, N.E. (1990): Bioconcentration of haloxyfop-methyl in bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus Rafinesque). Environ. Intern. 16, 219-230