Diethylamine

Short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Description of key information

The test substance is acutely harmful to aquatic invertebrates.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Fresh water invertebrates

Fresh water invertebrates

Effect concentration:

58 mg/L

Additional information

Under supervision of the Japanese Ministry of the Environment, a Daphnia magna immobilisation test according to OECD 202 was conducted under GLP and published in 2000. The daphnids were exposed for 48 hours under static conditions to nominal test concentrations of 0.79 to 15.0 mg/L diethylamine. In addition, in a supplemental test, test concentrations of 27.0 to 157.5 mg/L were tested. The test concentrations were analytically verified and deviated more than 20% from the nominal test concentrations. Therefore, measured geomean concentrations were used to assess the effect values. A 48 -h EC50 was determined to be 58 mg/L (95% CL: 49.9 - 68.1 mg/L,based on measured geomean concentrations; NITE 2000).

In addition, supporting information is available.

The toxicity of diethylamine towards Ceriodaphnia dubia was assessed according to ASTM guideline (1993). The test duration was 48 hours, the test solutions were renewed daily. The test concentrations were analytically verified and deviated less than 20% from the nominal values. Nevertheless, the results are based on the mean measured test concentrations. The pH values were not adjusted and ranged from 7.6 to 8.6 throughout the test. The 48 -h LC50 was assessed to be 4.6 mg/L (95% CL: 3.1 - 6.7 mg/L, based on measured test concentrations). The 48 -h NOAEL (No-Observed-Acute Effects Level) is 3.1 mg/L (based on measured test concentrations, Arkema, 1994, report no.: 94 -6 -5329). The results demonstrate that the aquatic invertebrate Ceriodaphnia dubia is considerably more sensitive to diethylamine than Daphnia magna (>= factor 10). However, the study does not fulfill the requirements of the OECD 202 guideline, therefore it is not considered for the environmental risk assessment.

In addition, in an OECD 202 guideline study van Leeuwen and co-workers (1985) determined an EC50 of 56 mg/L (95% CL: 32.0 - 100 mg/L, nominal) for the mobility of Daphnia magna after a 48 -hour exposure to the test substance. This result is in accordance with a publication which also demonstrate, that diethylamine is acutely harmful to aquatic invertebrates. Not following a specific guideline, a nominal 48 -h EC50 of 100 mg/L for Daphnia magna and diethylamine was found (Bringmann & Kuehn, 1959).

Two studies with 24 -h values for Daphnia magna are available, ranging from 41 mg/L to 77 mg/L (Trenel & Kuehn, 1982, IRCHA ED, 1993). In addition, Trenel and Kuehn, 1982, observed an 24 -h EC50 of 288 mg/L when using neutralised test substance solutions.

In conclusion, diethylamine is acutely harmful to aquatic invertebrates.