Benzyl 4-hydroxybenzoate

Ecotoxicological Summary

Hazard for aquatic organisms

Freshwater

Hazard assessment conclusion:

PNEC aqua (freshwater)

PNEC value:

0.036 mg/L

Assessment factor:

20

Extrapolation method:

assessment factor

PNEC freshwater (intermittent releases):

0.007 mg/L

Marine water

Hazard assessment conclusion:

PNEC aqua (marine water)

PNEC value:

0.004 mg/L

Assessment factor:

200

Extrapolation method:

assessment factor

STP

Hazard assessment conclusion:

PNEC STP

PNEC value:

0.43 mg/L

Assessment factor:

10

Extrapolation method:

assessment factor

Sediment (freshwater)

Hazard assessment conclusion:

PNEC sediment (freshwater)

PNEC value:

0.101 mg/kg sediment dw

Extrapolation method:

equilibrium partitioning method

Sediment (marine water)

Hazard assessment conclusion:

PNEC sediment (marine water)

PNEC value:

0.01 mg/kg sediment dw

Extrapolation method:

equilibrium partitioning method

Hazard for air

Air

Hazard assessment conclusion:

no hazard identified

Hazard for terrestrial organisms

Soil

Hazard assessment conclusion:

PNEC soil

PNEC value:

0.041 mg/kg soil dw

Extrapolation method:

equilibrium partitioning method

Hazard for predators

Secondary poisoning

Hazard assessment conclusion:

no potential for bioaccumulation

Additional information

Classification of p-nonyl phenol for effects in the environment

In determining the classification appropriate to p-nonyl phenol, it is necessary to consider all available evidence concerning its persistence, potential to accumulate and predicted or observed environmental fate and behaviour that may present a long-term and/or delayed danger to the structure and/or functioning of aquatic ecosystems. These points are considered below. 

 

Persistence

 

Reliable studies are available to demonstrate that p-nonyl phenol is not persistent in the water and soil compartment thought it is persistent in sediment. Moverover, the chemical is not readily biodegradable in nature and we consider the chemical to be persistent to environment. 

 

p- nonyl phenol is classified as a persistent (P) chemical. 

 

Potential to accumulate

The estimated log Kow values for p-nonyl phenol is less than 4 (Log Kow = 3.97). The potential for p-nonyl phenol to bioaccumulate in the tissues of organisms that inhabit aquatic or terrestrial matrices is negligible as the BCF factor for the substance is less than 2000.  

 

The estimated BCF of p-nonylphenol is highest 103.7 L/kg w/w and below the threshold of 2000. 

 

Thus, p-nonylphenol does not satisfy the criterion for classification as bio-accumulative (B).

 

The toxicity values of fish, invertebrates and algae are LC50 = 0.73 mg/L, EC50 = 2.1 mg/L and EC50 = 1.2 mg/L, respectively. These values of fish, invertebrate and algae suggest that classification for aquatic toxicity will be applicable in aquatic medium in acute category 1. Further, the chemical is not readily biodegradable nature and based on the chronic studies the classification of chronic category 1 has also been considered of this substance.

 

Thus, in summary, p-nonylphenol isclassified as toxic (T) in acute category 1 and chronic category 1.

 

However, in accordance with Annex XIII of the REACH regulation, p-nonylphenol does not satisfy all the 3 mentioned criteria of P, B and T and so is not a PBT (including vPvB) substance.

Conclusion on classification

Aquatic toxicity classification is triggered based on available data, according to REGULATION (EC) No 1272/2008 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, amending and repealing Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC, and amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.