Sulphuric acid, compound with graphite

Toxicity to birds

Description of key information

According to ECHA Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment, performing a risk assessment for secondary poisoning, usually the exposure of birds is only considered for the fish and earthworm food chains. 
Sulphuric acid, compound with graphite is an inorganic solid, consisting of natural graphite and variable amounts of intercalated sulphuric acid. Graphite is a naturally occurring solid substance which is insoluble in water. Due to its physico-chemical properties it is not systemically and biologically available and does not cross biological membranes. In the aquatic compartment it can be considered as an inert substance. The intercalated sulphuric acid is partially leached out by water and dissociated into the environmentally ubiquitous sulphate and hydronium ions. Due to their ionic character, they do not cross biological membranes. Sulphate is a normal biological constituent of the body, a normal biological metabolite and degradation product of sulphur-containing amino-acids. In the soil compartment the sulphate ions are precipitated in form of naturally occurring minerals.
A study on acute oral toxicity of sulphuric acid, compound with graphite to rats (see chapter 7.2.1 of the IUCLID dossier) demonstrated absence of toxicity of this substance to animals after oral uptake up to a concentration of 2,000 mg/kg bw indicating no acute toxicological potential to laboratory animals. 
Concluding, due to its physico-chemical properties, sulphuric acid, compound with graphite is not bioavailable and does not show toxicological potential. Against this background and in accordance with ECHA Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment and ECHA’s principle of avoiding unnecessary animal testing, performance of a study on toxicity to birds is considered to be unnecessary.