Fatty acids, C8-16, tetraesters with pentaerythritol

Short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Description of key information

No toxic effects up to the limit of water solubility for Daphnia magna (OECD 202).

Additional information

In accordance to Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 Annex XI, 1.5 a read across to structurally related category members was performed in order to fulfil the data requirements according to Annex VII-IX. This read-across is justified in detail in the overall summary (IUCLID chapter 6.1) and within the category justification in IUCLID Section 13. In this case of read-across, the best suited (highest degree of structural similarity, nearest physico-chemical properties) read-across substances were used for the assessment.

The short-term toxicity of decanoic acid, mixed esters with heptanoic acid, octanoic acid, pentaerythritol and valeric acid (CAS No. 71010-76-9) to aquatic invertebrates was investigated according to OECD 202 using Daphnia magna as test organism under static condition (Blattenberger, 2006). The test solutions were prepared by adding the appropriate amount of test substance with subsequent stirring and sampling of the aqueous portions (WAFs) through the outlet at the bottom of the vessels. Loading rate WAFs of 62, 132, 251, 503 and 1072 mg/L were tested. No immobilisation was observed in any treatment and the control throughout the test period of 48 h. Hence, the 48 h-EL50 is determined to be > 1072 mg/L based on the nominal test concentration.

One study, investigating toxic effect of fatty acids, C6-18, triesters with trimethylolpropane (CAS 91050-88-3) to Daphnia magna according to OECD 202, is available. Inhibition of mobility of daphnids casued by the test substance was determined after 24 h and 48 h of exposure to loading ratio 1 g/1000 g (Water Accomodated Fraction). The mobility of daphnids was not affected after 48 hours and mortality in control group was below 10%. The results showed that EL50 (48 h) was > 1000 mg/L.

Another read-across study of the TMP group was conducted where the short term toxicity of fatty acids, C8-10 (even numbered), di-and triesters with propylidynetrimethanol (CAS-No. 11138-60-6) was investigated according to OECD 202. All measured results indicate that the test substance is of low toxicity to Daphnia magna. The study with fatty acids, C8-10 (even numbered), di-and triesters with propylidynetrimethanol (Häner, 2007) determined an EL 50 (48h) > 100 mg/L (WAF loading rate).

These finding are supported by a study conducted with fatty acids, C8-10 mixed esters with dipenaterythritol, isooctanoic acid, pentaerythritol and tripentaerythritol (CAS 189200-48-8) investigating the short-term toxicity to daphnids according to OECD 202. Febbo (1995) observed an EL50 > 1000 mg/L (WAF loading rate) for this read-across substance (CAS 189200-48-8).

Based on these results from structurally related read-across substances (in accordance to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 Annex XI, 1.5) which are characterized by a similar ecotoxicological profile, it can be concluded that fatty acids, C8, C10, C12, C14, C16 esters with pentaerythritol, reaction product of coconut oil fatty acids, C8-10 fatty acid mix and pentaerythritol (CAS 85049-33-8) will not exhibit short-term toxic effects to aquatic invertebrates up to the limit of water solubility.

As it can be seen in the data matrix of the category justification in section 13 and the overall summary, all reliable data in the category support the hazard assessment of each category member by showing a consistent pattern of results.