Tetrachloroethylene

Short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Description of key information

The lowest valid 48-h EC50 is 8.5 mg/l for the freshwater Daphnia magna tested under static conditions.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Fresh water invertebrates

Fresh water invertebrates

Effect concentration:

8.5 mg/L

Additional information

Various tests have been carried out to study the toxicity of tetrachloroethylene to invertebrates of which the outcomes are in the same order of magnitude. Studies were evaluated as reliable when measures were taken to monitor concentrations and/or to minimise evaporation of tetrachloroethylene from the test solutions.

For freshwater toxicity the lowest 48-h EC50 reported for Daphnia magna is 8.5 mg/l (Richter et al., 1983) and is based on measured concentrations. The test conditions are fully described for this result and the test is therefore considered valid. A 24-h EC50 of 3.2 mg/l is reported by Bazin et al. (1987) based upon nominal concentrations. No details are given as to the test method used, therefore this study is considered not valid. For other freshwater invertebrates a 3-h EC50 of 1.8 mg/l is reported for Monia macrocopa (Yoshioka et al., 1986). This result is based upon nominal concentrations; the test methods used are also poorly described and therefore considered not valid. For the marine compartment a study with Americamysis bahia (tested as Mysidopsis bahia) is available (USEPA, 1980), little indication is given as to the test conditions and the results can therefore not be used in the assessment. The reported 96-h LC50 is 10.2 mg/l. For Elminius modestus a 48-h EC50 of 3.5 mg/l is reported (Pearson and McConnell, 1975). This result is based upon nominal concentrations; the test methods used are also poorly described and therefore considered not valid. Other studies were less critical and/or not reliable.