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EC number: 204-589-7 | CAS number: 122-99-6
Toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria
Administrative data
Link to relevant study record(s)
Description of key information
The EC50 (72h) for 2-phenoxyethanol regarding effects on algal biomass was > 100 mg/L, the corresponding NOEC (72h) was 46 mg/L.
Key value for chemical safety assessment
- EC50 for freshwater algae:
- 100 mg/L
- EC10 or NOEC for freshwater algae:
- 46 mg/L
Additional information
The key study examined the effects of 2-phenoxyethanol on growth rate on Desmodesmus subspicatus according to OECD 201 (BASF and DOW 2012). The test was repeated three times. The first one was not reported since the validity criteria failed. The toxicity was determined in a static system at nominal concentrations of 0, 10, 22, 46 and 100 mg/L (second test) and at nominal 100 mg/L (third test). The EC50 after 72 hours based on growth rate was > 100 mg/L and the NOEC was 46 mg/L. The measured concentrations were within 20% of the nominal concentrations and thus the endpoints were related to the nominal levels.
In the further study, an algal growth inhibition test was performed on the toxicity of 2-phenoxyethanol to the freshwater algae Scenedesmus subspicatus according to DIN 38412 Part 9 (BASF AG, 1989). The toxicity was determined in a static system at the nominal concentrations 0, 7.812, 15.625, 31.25, 62.5, 125, 250 and 500 mg a.i./L resulting in an EC50 for growth after 72 hours of > 500 mg/L and a NOEC of ≥ 500 mg/L.
Another study examined the effects of 2-phenoxyethanol on biomass, growth rate and growth inhibition on Scenedesmus subspicatus according to EU method C.3 (Sasol Germany GmbH, 1994). The toxicity was determined in a static system at nominal concentrations of 0, 70, 120, 200, 360, 600 and 1000 mg/L resulting in an EC50 for biomass after 72 hours of 443 mg/L and an EC10 (72h) of 159 mg/L. The EC50 after 72 hours based on growth rate was 625 mg/L and the EC10 (72 h) was 333 mg/L. The NOEC (72h) based on growth rate was 70 mg/L.
A publication that documented a guideline limit study using Psuedokirchneriella subcapitata reported that no effects were seen at the single tested concentration of 130mg/l. This result is consistent with those reported above.
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