Acrylaldehyde

Toxicity to other aquatic organisms

Description of key information

Xenopus laevis (tadpole): 96 h LC50=0.007 mg/l (measured)

Additional information

1. European Union Risk Assessment Report of Acrolein (EU, 2001)

In addition to the information on the toxicity of acrolein to fish, also a short-term LC₅₀-value for amphibia is available. In a 96-hours multiple species test a LC₅₀ of 7 μg/l is reported for the tadpole Xenopus laevis, based on measured concentrations. It is clear that acrolein is also highly toxic to amphibia.

2. Agreement with further international Reports and Studies published after finalisation of the EU Risk Assessment Report 2001  

WHO (2002): The frog Xenopus laevistadpole is the most sensitive aquatic species tested, with a 96-h LC50 of 7 μg/litre.

3. Substantial disagreements in comparison to further international Reports to European Union Risk Assessment Report 2001

None

4. Additional aspects in further international Reports

None

5. Additional information in newer Studies, not included in the European Union Risk Assessment Report 2001 or further cited international reports

The 96h acute toxicity of acrolein to the toad larvae of Bufo arenarum was studied under semi static conditions. The 96h-LC₅₀was 0.023 mg/l, based on initial measured concentrations. The 96h-NOEC based on mortality was 0.005 mg/L.

Bufo arenarum larvae were also subjected to three repeated exposures to acrolein of 0.01 and 0.023 mg/L (based on initial measured concentration) for 24 h followed by 13d of recovery. Lethal effects were observed mainly in the first exposure. However, the final number of surviving larvae was statistically the same for control and treated groups. Also the number of individuals completing metamorphosis and reaching the adult stage at the end of the study was similar. Finally, B. arenarum larvae surviving the three pulses of acrolein arrived to metamorphosis at the same time and proportion as control larvae. No evidence of cumulative effects was seen for the repeated exposures to 0.010 or 0.023 mg/L of acrolein.

6. Conclusions

In a 96-hours multiple species test a LC₅₀ of 7 μg/l is reported for the tadpole Xenopus laevis, based on measured concentrations. Bufo arenarumlarvae were subjected to three repeated exposures to acrolein up to 0.023 mg /L (based on initial measured concentration) for 24 h followed by 13d of recovery. No cumulative effects on mortality and completing metamorphosis were seen for the repeated exposures up to 0.023 mg/L of acrolein.