Propionyl chloride

Ecotoxicological Summary

Hazard for aquatic organisms

Freshwater

Hazard assessment conclusion:

PNEC aqua (freshwater)

PNEC value:

0.464 mg/L

Assessment factor:

1 000

Extrapolation method:

assessment factor

PNEC freshwater (intermittent releases):

4.64 mg/L

Marine water

Hazard assessment conclusion:

PNEC aqua (marine water)

PNEC value:

0.046 mg/L

Assessment factor:

10 000

Extrapolation method:

assessment factor

STP

Hazard assessment conclusion:

PNEC STP

PNEC value:

347 mg/L

Assessment factor:

1

Extrapolation method:

assessment factor

Sediment (freshwater)

Hazard assessment conclusion:

PNEC sediment (freshwater)

PNEC value:

3.53 mg/kg sediment dw

Extrapolation method:

equilibrium partitioning method

Sediment (marine water)

Hazard assessment conclusion:

PNEC sediment (marine water)

PNEC value:

0.353 mg/kg sediment dw

Extrapolation method:

equilibrium partitioning method

Hazard for terrestrial organisms

Soil

Hazard assessment conclusion:

PNEC soil

PNEC value:

0.423 mg/kg soil dw

Extrapolation method:

equilibrium partitioning method

Additional information

Effect values of the hydrolysis product HCl (7647 -01 -0) were not considered in the ecotoxicological evaluation of the substance since the observed toxicity was not due to intrinsic properties of the molecule, but is due to pH effects.

Conclusion on classification

Results are available for fish (propionyl chloride, 96-h LC50 > 464 mg/L after pH-adjustment; 96 -h LC50 = 301 mg/L, not neutralised), invertebrates (calcium propionate, 48-h EC50 > 500 mg/L) and algae (calcium propionate, 72-h ErC50 > 500 mg/L, 72-h NOErC = 125 mg/L). Effect values of the hydrolysis product HCl (7647 -01 -0) were not considered in the ecotoxicological evaluation of the substance since the observed toxicity was not due to intrinsic properties of the molecule, but is due to pH effects.

Official classification regarding environmental hazards:

Aquatic compartment

In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 Annex VI Table 3.1 or Table 3.2, propionyl chloride: officially not classified.

In accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 Annex VI Table 3.1 or table 3.2, propionic acid: officially not classified.

Self-classification:

Aquatic compartment

Following DSD/DPD, the parent compound propionyl chloride is not to be classified as dangerous for the environment. The lowest LC50/EC50 value is greater than 464 mg/L, the substance is readily biodegradable and the log Pow is <3 (no experimentally determined BCF).

Following CLP (GHS-EU), the substance is not to be classified as acutely hazardous to the aquatic environment, since the lowest acute effect value is > 1 mg/L.

Chronic data are available only for algae (calcium propionate, CAS 4075-81-4: NOEC > 1 mg/L), therefore classification is based on the available chronic and acute toxicity data. The data available for chronic classification are not adequate conclusive but not sufficient for classification. The chronic data indicate that propionyl chloride is not to be classified as hazardous to the aquatic environment. The lowest acute effect value is greater than 100 mg/L, propionic acid is readily biodegradable and its log Pow is < 4. Therefore, the substance is not be classified as chronically hazardous to the environment.

Atmospheric compartment

The test substance is not listed in Annex 1 of Regulation (EC) 2037/2000 on substances that deplete the ozone layer.

The test substance does not belong to the greenhouse gases listed in P Forster, PV Pamaswamy et al. Changes in Atmospheric Constituents and Radiative Forcing. In: Climate Change 2007: The Physical Basis. Contribution of Working Goup 1 to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on climate Change.