Hydrogen fluoride

Long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Reference 1

Endpoint:

long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Type of information:

other: review

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

21 days

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

data from handbook or collection of data

Remarks:

Review of available data. Methodologcial data for individual studies are incomplete, however the studies have been assessed as part of the EU RAR and are therefore considered to be suitably reliable.

Qualifier:

no guideline followed

Principles of method if other than guideline:

The publication is a review article of various studies using a number of different methods.

GLP compliance:

no

Specific details on test material used for the study:

Not applicable.

Analytical monitoring:

not specified

Details on sampling:

No details of sampling in review article.

Vehicle:

not specified

Details on test solutions:

No details on test solutions in review.

Test organisms (species):

Daphnia magna

Details on test organisms:

No details on test organisms in the review.

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

21 d

Post exposure observation period:

No post exposure observation period.

Hardness:

250 mg CaCO3/L

Test temperature:

Not stated

pH:

Not stated

Dissolved oxygen:

Not stated

Salinity:

Not stated

Nominal and measured concentrations:

In one test the concentrations were measured. In all others a nominal concentration is given.

Details on test conditions:

No further details on test conditions.

Reference substance (positive control):

not specified

Duration:

21 d

Dose descriptor:

NOEC

Effect conc.:

3.7 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

reproduction

Remarks on result:

other: (Janssen et al., 1989)

Duration:

21 d

Dose descriptor:

NOEC

Effect conc.:

14.1 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

meas. (initial)

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

reproduction

Remarks on result:

other: (Kühn et al., 1988)

Key result

Duration:

21 d

Dose descriptor:

NOEC

Effect conc.:

8.9 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

not specified

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

reproduction

Remarks on result:

other: Arithmetic mean calculated from the NOEC values from both tests (above), as reported in the EU RAR (2001)

Details on results:

In both long-term tests with daphnids the NOEC is based on effects on reproduction. The arithmetric mean of both tests gives a value of 8.9 mg/L for the NOEC.

Results with reference substance (positive control):

Not applicable

Reported statistics and error estimates:

No reported statistics and error estimates.

The NOEC values for long-term toxicity to daphnids were 3.7 and 14.1 mg F-/L after 21 d of exposure, based on effects on reproduction, but exposure concentrations were analytically confirmed only in the study that gave the higher endpoint. The arithmetric mean of both endpoints is a NOEC of 8.9 mg F-/L.

Validity criteria fulfilled:

not specified

Conclusions:

The 21-day NOEC for D. magna exposed to sodium fluoride ranged between 3.7 and 14.1 mg F-/L. The arithmetic mean value was 8.9 mg F-/L. .

Executive summary:

The EU RAR summarises the findings of two long-term toxicity studies with D. magna exposed to sodium fluoride. The two studies provide reproductive NOEC values of 3.7 and 14.1 mg F-/L and the arithmetic mean NOEC is 8.9 mg F-/L.

Reference 2

Endpoint:

long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Type of information:

other: review

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Study period:

Not reported

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

data from handbook or collection of data

Remarks:

The ICD reviews the available data on the long-term toxicity of fluorides to aquaric invertebrates

Qualifier:

no guideline followed

Principles of method if other than guideline:

The ICD reviews the available data on the long-term toxicity of fluorides to aquaric invertebrates

GLP compliance:

no

Test organisms (species):

other: various

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

10 - 48 mg/L

Remarks on result:

other: Freshwater invertebrates

EC50 values of 10-48 mg/L are reported for freshwater invertebrates

Validity criteria fulfilled:

not specified

Conclusions:

EC50 values of 10-48 mg/L are reported for freshwater invertebrates.

Executive summary:

The ICD reviews the available data on the long-term toxicity of fluorides to aquaric invertebrates and reports EC50 values of 10-48 mg/L. No long-term toxicity studies were available for marine invertebrates.

Reference 3

Endpoint:

long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Type of information:

read-across from supporting substance (structural analogue or surrogate)

Adequacy of study:

key study

Justification for type of information:

It is considered appropriate to address the long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates data requirement for hydrogen fluoride (HF) by read-across to available data on sodium fluoride (NaF).

In water, HF (as hydrofluoric acid when in water) dissociates rapidly to form hydrogen (H+) and fluoride (F−) ions, whereas NaF (the highly soluble sodium salt of fluoride) will be fully hydrated in water as separate sodium (Na+) and F- ions. Both HF and NaF (as well as other fluorides) will therefore dissociate rapidly to form F- ions in the aquatic environment, with any effects observed being directly attributable to the F- ion. The Na+ ion is naturally occurring and regulated by organisms (i.e. by homeostatic mechanisms) and consequently is not considered to have an impact on the read-across of ecotoxicological data. On this basis, the profile of HF is comparable to that of NaF with respect to the environment.

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

read-across source

Duration:

21 d

Dose descriptor:

NOEC

Effect conc.:

3.7 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

reproduction

Remarks on result:

other: (Janssen et al., 1989)

Duration:

21 d

Dose descriptor:

NOEC

Effect conc.:

14.1 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

meas. (initial)

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

reproduction

Remarks on result:

other: (Kühn et al., 1988)

Key result

Duration:

21 d

Dose descriptor:

NOEC

Effect conc.:

8.9 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

not specified

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

reproduction

Remarks on result:

other: Arithmetic mean calculated from the NOEC values from both tests (above), as reported in the EU RAR (2001)

Details on results:

In both long-term tests with daphnids the NOEC is based on effects on reproduction. The arithmetric mean of both tests gives a value of 8.9 mg/L for the NOEC.

Results with reference substance (positive control):

Not applicable

Reported statistics and error estimates:

No reported statistics and error estimates.

The NOEC values for long-term toxicity to daphnids were 3.7 and 14.1 mg F-/L after 21 d of exposure, based on effects on reproduction, but exposure concentrations were analytically confirmed only in the study that gave the higher endpoint. The arithmetric mean of both endpoints is a NOEC of 8.9 mg F-/L.

Validity criteria fulfilled:

not specified

Conclusions:

The 21-day NOEC for D. magna exposed to sodium fluoride ranged between 3.7 and 14.1 mg F-/L. The arithmetic mean value was 8.9 mg F-/L. .

Executive summary:

It is considered appropriate to address the long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates data requirement for hydrogen fluoride (HF) by read-across to available data on sodium fluoride (NaF). In water, HF (as hydrofluoric acid when in water) dissociates rapidly to form hydrogen (H⁺) and fluoride (F⁻) ions, whereas NaF (the highly soluble sodium salt of fluoride) will be fully hydrated in water as separate sodium (Na⁺) and F^- ions. Both HF and NaF (as well as other fluorides) will therefore dissociate rapidly to form F^- ions in the aquatic environment, with any effects observed being directly attributable to the F^- ion. The Na⁺ ion is naturally occurring and regulated by organisms (i.e. by homeostatic mechanisms) and consequently is not considered to have an impact on the read-across of ecotoxicological data. On this basis, the profile of HF is comparable to that of NaF with respect to the environment.

The EU RAR summarises the findings of two long-term toxicity studies with D. magna exposed to sodium fluoride. The two studies provide reproductive NOEC values of 3.7 and 14.1 mg F-/L and the arithmetic mean NOEC is 8.9 mg F-/L.

Reference 4

Endpoint:

long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Type of information:

read-across from supporting substance (structural analogue or surrogate)

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Justification for type of information:

It is considered appropriate to address the long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates data requirement for hydrogen fluoride (HF) by read-across to available data on sodium fluoride (NaF).

In water, HF (as hydrofluoric acid when in water) dissociates rapidly to form hydrogen (H+) and fluoride (F−) ions, whereas NaF (the highly soluble sodium salt of fluoride) will be fully hydrated in water as separate sodium (Na+) and F- ions. Both HF and NaF (as well as other fluorides) will therefore dissociate rapidly to form F- ions in the aquatic environment, with any effects observed being directly attributable to the F- ion. The Na+ ion is naturally occurring and regulated by organisms (i.e. by homeostatic mechanisms) and consequently is not considered to have an impact on the read-across of ecotoxicological data. On this basis, the profile of HF is comparable to that of NaF with respect to the environment.

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

10 - 48 mg/L

Remarks on result:

other: Freshwater invertebrates

EC50 values of 10-48 mg/L are reported for freshwater invertebrates

Validity criteria fulfilled:

not specified

Conclusions:

EC50 values of 10-48 mg/L are reported for freshwater invertebrates.

Executive summary:

It is considered appropriate to address the long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates data requirement for hydrogen fluoride (HF) by read-across to available data on sodium fluoride (NaF). In water, HF (as hydrofluoric acid when in water) dissociates rapidly to form hydrogen (H⁺) and fluoride (F⁻) ions, whereas NaF (the highly soluble sodium salt of fluoride) will be fully hydrated in water as separate sodium (Na⁺) and F^- ions. Both HF and NaF (as well as other fluorides) will therefore dissociate rapidly to form F^- ions in the aquatic environment, with any effects observed being directly attributable to the F^- ion. The Na⁺ ion is naturally occurring and regulated by organisms (i.e. by homeostatic mechanisms) and consequently is not considered to have an impact on the read-across of ecotoxicological data. On this basis, the profile of HF is comparable to that of NaF with respect to the environment.

The ICD reviews the available data on the long-term toxicity of fluorides to aquaric invertebrates and reports EC50 values of 10-48 mg/L. No long-term toxicity studies were available for marine invertebrates.

Description of key information

The EU RAR summarises the effects of two reproductive studies of sodium fluoride on Daphnia magna. The two studies report NOEC values of 3.7 and 14.1 mg/L, with an arithmetic mean of 8.9 mg/L.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Fresh water invertebrates

Fresh water invertebrates

Dose descriptor:

NOEC

Effect concentration:

8.9 mg/L

Additional information

The EU RAR summarises the effects of two reproductive studies of sodium fluoride on Daphnia magna. The two studies report NOEC values of 3.7 and 14.1 mg/L, with an arithmetic mean of 8.9 mg/L. The ICD reports additional EC50 values in the range of 10 - 48 mg/L.