Registration Dossier
Registration Dossier
Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.
The new ECHA CHEM database has been released by ECHA, and it now contains all REACH registration data. There are more details on the transition of ECHA's published data to ECHA CHEM here.
Use of this information is subject to copyright laws and may require the permission of the owner of the information, as described in the ECHA Legal Notice.
EC number: 204-699-5 | CAS number: 124-41-4
Toxicity to soil microorganisms
Administrative data
Link to relevant study record(s)
- Endpoint:
- toxicity to soil microorganisms
- Data waiving:
- other justification
- Justification for data waiving:
- other:
Reference
Description of key information
Key value for chemical safety assessment
Additional information
In contact with water, sodium methanolate rapidly hydrolyses to methanol and sodium hydroxide (OECD, 2002). Thus, the degradation products of sodium methanolate are of relevance for the assessment of environmental toxicity.
No studies on the toxicity to soil microorganisms are available for sodium methanolate or the degradation products methanol and sodium hydroxide. All available data on terrestrial organisms as well as activated sludge microorganisms do not indicate a need to investigate the effects of the substance and relevant degradation products on soil microorganisms.
Sodium hydroxide
Sodium hydroxide further dissociates in the environment
to sodium (K+) and hydroxyl ions (OH-). Sodium belongs to the alkali
metals and is one of the most common elements in the earth crust.
Together with potassium ions (K+), sodium ions (Na+) are responsible for
maintaining the cell membrane potential and essential for the function
of all living cells (Clausen&Poulsen, 2013). Many physiological
processes in organisms are driven by the influence of sodium. Thus,
sodium ions are not considered to be relevant for aquatic toxicity.
Hydroxyl ions may cause a change (increase) of pH of the receiving
environmental compartment. This may result in effects on aquatic
organisms in case the pH is changed outside of the tolerable pH-range.
Thus, hydroxyl ions do not have an intrinsic toxicity but may cause
physical effects depending on the buffer capacity of the aqueous medium
(OECD, 2002). It has to be noted that effluents from sewage treatment
plants are measured frequently for its pH and are appropriately adapted
before release if needed. In addition, due to the dilution effects and
buffer capacity of natural aquatic ecosystems significant pH changes
followed by effects on aquatic species are not expected (OECD, 2002). In
conclusion, any observed effects after exposure of terrestrial organisms
to sodium hydroxide is considered to be solely caused by a potential
change of pH. Sodium ions are not considered to contribute to
terrestrial toxicity.
Methanol
Data on methanol investigating the long-term toxicity
to soil organisms are available for terrestrial plants, earthworms and
terrestrial arthropods (Stantec 2006).
All available studies indicate a low toxicity of methanol to terrestrial organisms with NOEC values≥1000 mg/kg.
Thus, no further testing on soil microorganisms is deemed necessary for sodium methanolate.
Information on Registered Substances comes from registration dossiers which have been assigned a registration number. The assignment of a registration number does however not guarantee that the information in the dossier is correct or that the dossier is compliant with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (the REACH Regulation). This information has not been reviewed or verified by the Agency or any other authority. The content is subject to change without prior notice.
Reproduction or further distribution of this information may be subject to copyright protection. Use of the information without obtaining the permission from the owner(s) of the respective information might violate the rights of the owner.
