Polyphosphoric acids, esters with triethanolamine, sodium salts

Short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Description of key information

Two acute toxicity studies on aquatic invertebrates are available (one freshwater study in Daphnia magna and one marine study in Acartia tonsa).
In the freshwater Daphnia magna study the substance showed no toxicity at the maximum test concentration used in the study, 2000 mg/l (1040 mg/l active ingredient).. 
In the marine study in Acartia tonsa, the substance showed toxicity at the maximum test concentration used in the study (10000 mg/l). No toxicity was seen at 3200 mg/l.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Fresh water invertebrates

Fresh water invertebrates

Effect concentration:

1 040 mg/L

Marine water invertebrates

Marine water invertebrates

Effect concentration:

7 267 mg/L

Additional information

Freshwater study (Craig W J (2003))

The test substance was assessed for Acute Toxicity (48 h EC₅₀) to Daphnia magnia.

The test was conducted using static test conditions equivalent to OECD Guideline for Testing of Chemicals, Daphnia sp., Acute Immobilisation Test, reference 202, OECD 1984.

Preliminary range finding studies had indicated that the test substance was of low toxicity to Daphnia, therefore in order to limit the number of organisms exposed the definitive test was performed with only four concentrations.

Test concentrations were prepared at 0 (control), 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/l.

The 48 hour EC₅₀value of test substance to Daphnia magna was estimated to be > 2,000 mg/L. The highest no observed effect concentration (NOEC) after 48 hours was 2,000 mg/L.

The lowest test concentration, which immobilised all twenty Daphnia within 48 hours, could not be determined since there was 0% immobilisation at the highest test concentration (i.e. 2,000 mg/L).

Based on an active ingredient composition the EC₅₀ of the substance was estimated to be > 1040 mg/l (as active ingredient) and NOEC to be 1040 mg/l (active ingredient).

The results of the above study is based on nominal concentration. No analysis for the measurement of test substance concentration in the test samples was performed.

 

Marine study (Hudson B (2006))

An assessment of the toxicity of the test substance to the marine copepod Acartia tonsa was performed.

Test methods were consistent with ISO 14669 (1999) Water Quality, Determination of acute lethal toxicity to marine adult copepods (Copepoda; Crustacea).

The method estimates the effect of chemicals on the mortality/immobility on adult copepods over period of 48 h at a temperature of 20 +/- 2^OC.

Test concentrations (nominal) were 1000, 1800, 3200, 5600 and 10000 mg/l.

4 of 20 Acartia were immobile at 48 hrs at 5600 mg/l. All Acartia were immobile at 48 hrs at 10000 mg/l.

The test material exhibited a 48-Hour LC₅₀value of 7267.19 mg/l (dilution series) to the marine copepod Acartia tonsa in the aqueous phase. The No Observed Effect Concentration at 48 hours was 3200 mg/L.

The result is based on nominal concentrations.