Benzoic acid, C12-15-alkyl esters

Endpoint summary

Description of key information

Short-term toxicity to fish:

A short-term study is not required since a chronic toxicity study in fish is available.

 

Long-term toxicity to fish:

The chronic toxicity of the test item to early life stage of zebrafish (Danio rerio) was studied under static renewal conditions (according to Annex 2 of OECD guideline 210). Freshly fertilized eggs of D. rerio were exposed to the test chemical at concentrations of 10 mg/L nominal, corresponding to 2.53 µg test item/L (geometric mean measured concentration). There were no significant differences between test and control regarding hatching success (6 dpf), post-hatch survival, total length, wet weight, dry weight and behavioral abnormalities. Therefore, the 35 day NOEC value was determined to be ≥ 2.53 µg test item/L (geometric mean measured concentration), corresponding to a NOELR of ≥ 10 mg test item/L (nominal loading).
The LOEC was > 2.53 µg test item/L (geometric mean measured concentration), corresponding to a LOELR > 10 mg test item/L (nominal loading).

 

Short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates:

The purpose of this study was to determine the 48 hour ED50 of Finsolv TN to juvenile (<24 hour old) Daphnia magna.

The test was conducted under semi-static conditions. Daphnia were not fed during the test. Daphnia were exposed to a range of loading rates of Water Accommodated Fractions (WAFs) of the substance prepared by slowly stirring the appropriate volume of Finsolv TN into Elendt M7 medium for 23 hours. The 24 hour ED50 (Effect Dose) based on nominal concentrations was >320 mg/L. The 24 hour NOED (No Observed Effect Dose) based on nominal concentrations was ≥320 mg/L. The 48 hour ED50 based on nominal concentrations was >320 mg/L (76.8 μg/L measured total substance concentration). The 48 hour NOED based on nominal concentrations was ≥320 mg/L (76.8 μg/L measured total substance concentration).

The results contained in this report are the findings from a range finder experiment only. A definitive test was not necessary as the 48 hour EC50 was greater than 320 mg/L.

 

Long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates:

The influence of the test item on the reproduction of Daphnia magna was investigated in a limit test with one loading rate during a 21-day semi-static exposure according to the OECD guideline 211.
Effects on the reproductive performance, survival, growth (adult length at test termination), development rate and intrinsic rate r of population increase were investigated. The test item concentrations in the treatment level were measured in aqueous samples at fresh and representative aged test solutions three times per week at media renewal.
Due to the low water solubility of the test item, the test solution, with a nominal loading rate of 10 mg test item/L, was prepared as Water Accommodated Fraction (WAF) according to the OECD guidance No. 23 in dilution water (tap water).
The evaluation of the results was based on the time weighted mean (TWM) concentration of the test item in the treatment level, calculated to be 1.12 µg/L (0.011 % of nominal).
After 21 days, mortality was 0% in both control and treatment level. The cumulative offspring per survived and introduced parent was at 109.5 in the control and at 132.3 in the treatment level.
No statistical significant effect was observed for all investigated endpoints.
The NOEC was determined to be ≥ 1.12 µg/L (measured), corresponding to ≥ 10 mg/L nominal loading. The LOEC was determined at > 1.12 µg/L (measured), corresponding to > 10 mg/L nominal loading.

 

Toxicity to aquatic algae:

In 2018 -2019, a study was performed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME) to determine the toxicity of C12-C15 alkyl benzoates on the growth of the unicellular freshwater green alga Raphidocelis subcapitata. Exponentially-growing cultures of the green alga were exposed to five loadings of the test item plus a control over several generations under defined conditions for 72 hours according to the OECD guideline 201. There was no concentration-dependent inhibiting effect on the growth of the freshwater green algae over the range of the tested loadings. The 72-hour ErL50 and EyL50 for the inhibition of growth rate and yield, respectively, was above the highest nominal loading of 1000 mg test item/L and therefore also above the limit of solubility (i.e. >2.47 μg test item/L). A NOEL above or equal to the highest nominal loading of 1000 mg test item/L and above the limit of solubility was determined for the inhibition of growth rate and yield.