Formaldehyde, oligomeric reaction products with phenol

Short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: peer reviewed journal

Justification for type of information:

Data is from peer reviewed journal

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 202 (Daphnia sp. Acute Immobilisation Test)

GLP compliance:

not specified

Analytical monitoring:

not specified

Vehicle:

no

Details on test solutions:

Details on test solutions
PREPARATION AND APPLICATION OF TEST SOLUTION (especially for difficult test substances)
- Method: standard sock solution were prepared in distilled water according to the standard method. Appropriate dilutions of industrial wastewater were then prepared using water from the source of the receiving stream.

Test organisms (species):

Daphnia pulex

Details on test organisms:

- Common name: water flea
- Age at study initiation: neonates <24 h old
- Feeding during test: yes
- Food type: dry yeast solution and algae Scenedesmus quadricauda
- Frequency: three times a week

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

48 h

Test temperature:

20 ± 1 °C

pH:

7.8

Details on test conditions:

- Test vessel: 3-L aquariums and beakers
-fill volume: 3L
- Photoperiod: 12 h per day
- Light intensity: 40 W fluorescent lamps 4500 K and a 40WSylvania lamp.

Reference substance (positive control):

yes

Remarks:

phenol and formaldehyde

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

EC10

Effect conc.:

2.9 other: v/v%

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mobility

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

17.2 other: v/v%

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mobility

Remarks on result:

other: Range: 12.2-24.2

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

other: EC90

Effect conc.:

100 other: v/v%

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mobility

Details on results:

Study was conducted to determine median effective concentration of test chemical. Based on the mobility of Daphnia pulex by the test chemical exposure for 48 hrs, the EC10, EC50 and EC90 was determine to be 2.9, 17.2 (Range: 12.2–24.2) and 100 % v/v, respectively.

Reported statistics and error estimates:

EC10, EC50 with 95% confidence limits (f value), EC90 for daphnids were calculated using probit analysis.

Table: Toxicity of phenol and formaldehyde to Daphnia pulex

Oncorhynchus mykiss	Phenol (mg/L)	Formaldehyde (mg/L)
48h EC10	4.1	1.9
48h EC50 (conf. limit)	25.0 (19.4–32.2)	5.8 (4.3–7.8)
48h EC90	150.0	16.5

Validity criteria fulfilled:

not specified

Conclusions:

Study was conducted to determine median effective concentration of test chemical. Based on the mobility of Daphnia pulex by the test chemical exposure for 48 hrs, the EC10, EC50 and EC90 was determine to be 2.9, 17.2 (Range: 12.2–24.2) and 100 % v/v, respectively.

Executive summary:

Short term toxicity of test chemical present in industrial wastewater was determine on the mobility of aquatic invertebrates. The toxicity test of test chemical with Daphnia pulex was performed according to the OECD Standard. Toxicity to Daphnia was evaluated by determining the percentage of immobile daphnids following a 48-hr exposure period in test solution. Study also involves the finding out whether the effect of pure phenol and formaldehyde to aquatic organisms was similar to that produced by the mixture of both in the wastewater. Chemical was analytically monitored. Standard sock solution were prepared in distilled water according to the standard method. Appropriate dilutions of industrial wastewater were then prepared using water from the source of the receiving stream. <24 h old neonates were used to test toxicity of test chemical. Daphnids were cultured in 3-L aquariums and beakers were illuminated for 12 hr per day with a pair of 40 W fluorescent lamps 4500 K and a 40WSylvania lamp. During this period, they were fed with dry yeast solution and algae Scenedesmus quadricauda three times a week. The pH and dissolved oxygen were measured daily. Based on the mobility of Daphnia pulex by the test chemical exposure for 48 hrs, the EC10, EC50 and EC90 was determine to be 2.9, 17.2 (Range: 12.2–24.2) and 100 % v/v, respectively.

On the basis of above effect concentration (EC50) test material was considered to be not classified for short term toxicity to aquatic invertebrate.

Description of key information

Short term toxicity to aquatic invertebrate:

Study was conducted to determine median effective concentration of test chemical. Based on the mobility of Daphnia pulex by the test chemical exposure for 48 hrs, the EC10, EC50 and EC90 was determine to be 2.9, 17.2 (Range: 12.2–24.2) and 100 % v/v, respectively.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Fresh water invertebrates

Fresh water invertebrates

Effect concentration:

100 mg/L

Additional information

Short term toxicity to aquatic invertebrate:

Based on the various experimental data for the target chemical study have been reviewed to determine the toxic nature of target chemical test material on the mobility of aquatic invertebrates. The studies are as mentioned below: 

Short term toxicity of test chemical present in industrial wastewater was determine on the mobility of aquatic invertebrates. The toxicity test of test chemical with Daphnia pulex was performed according to the OECD Standard. Toxicity to Daphnia was evaluated by determining the percentage of immobile daphnids following a 48-hr exposure period in test solution. Study also involves the finding out whether the effect of pure phenol and formaldehyde to aquatic organisms was similar to that produced by the mixture of both in the wastewater. Chemical was analytically monitored. Standard sock solution were prepared in distilled water according to the standard method. Appropriate dilutions of industrial wastewater were then prepared using water from the source of the receiving stream. <24 h old neonates were used to test toxicity of test chemical. Daphnids were cultured in 3-L aquariums and beakers were illuminated for 12 hr per day with a pair of 40 W fluorescent lamps 4500 K and a 40WSylvania lamp. During this period, they were fed with dry yeast solution and algae Scenedesmus quadricauda three times a week. The pH and dissolved oxygen were measured daily. Based on the mobility of Daphnia pulex by the test chemical exposure for 48 hrs, the EC10, EC50 and EC90 was determine to be 2.9, 17.2 (Range: 12.2–24.2) and 100 % v/v, respectively. On the basis of above effect concentration (EC50) test material was considered to be not classified for short term toxicity to aquatic invertebrate.

The aim of this investigation was to determine the effect of test chemical present in industrial wastewater on the aquatic invertebrates Daphnia pulex by providing the exposure period of 48 hrs. The untreated wastewater samples from a chemical industry producing test chemical were taken at the site of wastewater discharge into the river. The 24 h flow proportional wastewater samples were collected and transported to the laboratory in coolers with icepacks. The samples were stored in the dark at 4°C for analyses performed within three days, or frozen at –18°C until use. All wastewater samples were used for testing without any pre-treatment. Daphnids were cultured at 21 ± 1°C in 3-L aquariums containing 2.5 L of modified M4 medium and illuminated with fluorescent lamps for 12 h per day at a light intensity of approximately 1800 lux. The test animals were exposed with different concentrations of test chemicals. After the exposure of test chemical mobility of test organism were measured by Probit analysis. Based on the mobility of Daphnia pulex by the test chemical exposure for 48 hrs. The median effect concentration (EC50) of test material on  Daphnia pulex was observed to be 17.3 v/v% (range: 13.2–22.7v/v%). Based on EC50 value and as chemical readily biodegradable in water thus we concluded that chemical was consider as nontoxic and not classified as per the CLP classification criteria.

Hence, on the basis of median effect concentration of test material on daphnia we can consider that the test chemical has no toxic effect on aquatic invertebrates.