o-cresol

Toxicity to birds

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

long-term toxicity to birds

Data waiving:

study scientifically not necessary / other information available

Justification for data waiving:

other:

Justification for type of information:

No experimental study on birds is available. In accordance with REACH Annex X there is no indication from the CSA on the need to investigate further the atmospheric compartment (Annex X requirement). The study does not need to be conducted as avian toxicity data are used in the assessment of secondary poisoning which is required for substances indicating a bioaccumulation potential. o-Cresol was assessed as readily biodegradable. Therefore, it is generally assumed that the substance will not enter the terrestrial environment. Furthermore, o-cresol has a low potential for bioaccumulation (exp. BCF=10.7) and no adverse effects to birds due to bioaccumulation in food chains would be expected. No further testing is considered necessary with respect to animal welfare. In accordance with REACh Guidance document R.10 only a qualitative assessment is performed an no PNEC derived.

Description of key information

There are no data on avian toxicity available.
In accordance with section 1 of REACH Annex XI, the study does not need to be conducted as avian toxicity data are used in the assessment of secondary poisoning which is required for substances indicating a bioaccumulation potential. o-Cresol has a low potential for bioaccumulation (exp. BCF=10.7), no adverse effects to birds due to bioaccumulation in food chains would be expected.

Additional information

No appropriate avian toxicology data are available for o-cresol. Avian toxicity data are used in the assessment of secondary poisoning risks for the aquatic and terrestrial food chains. Secondary poisoning concerns the potential toxic impact of a substance on a predatory bird or mammal following ingestion of prey items (i.e. fish and earthworms) that contain the chemical. Accumulation of chemicals through the food chain may follow many different pathways along different trophic levels. As assessment is solely required for substances for which there is an indication for bioaccumulation potential (ECHA, R.7c, 2008). Bioconcentration factors (BCF) can be used for assessment. The experimental BCF value indicates no significant potential for bioaccumulation of o-cresol in aquatic organisms. Furthermore, biodegradability of the substance strongly determines the ability of a substance to bioaccumulate in organisms. As o-cresol is readily biodegradable no risk of bioaccumulation arises. Therefore, based on these properties no adverse effects to birds due to bioaccumulation in food chains would be expected and there is no need for testing.