Hydrogenated rosin alcohols

Short-term toxicity to fish

Administrative data

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to fish

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Guideline study conducted under GLP

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

study report

Title:

Unnamed

Year:

2011

Report date:

2011

Materials and methods

Test guideline

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 203 (Fish, Acute Toxicity Test)

GLP compliance:

yes (incl. QA statement)

Test material

Test material information

1

Reference substance name:

Hydrogenated rosin alcohols

EC Number:

701-057-0

Cas Number:

2156595-41-2

IUPAC Name:

Hydrogenated rosin alcohols

Test material form:

liquid: viscous

Details on test material:

Sponsor's identification: Technical Hydroabietyl Alcohol
Description: Light amber coloured extremely viscous liquid
Lot number: HR-078
Purity: 100% (UVCB)
Expiry date: 21 December 2012
Storage conditions: Room temperature in the dark

Sampling and analysis

Analytical monitoring:

yes

Details on sampling:

The water temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen concentrations were recorded daily throughout the test. The measurements at 0 hours, and after each test media renewal at 24, 48 and 72 hours, represent those of the freshly prepared test preparations while the measurements taken prior to each test media renewal, and on termination of the test after 96 hours, represent those of the used or 24-Hour old test preparations. The pH and dissolved oxygen concentration were measured using a Hach HQ30d pH and dissolved oxygen meter whilst the temperature was measured using a Hanna Instruments HI 93510 digital thermometer.

Water samples were taken from the control and each replicate test vessel at 0 (fresh media, 24 and 96 hours (old media) for quantitative analysis. 0 and 24 hour samples were stored at approximately -20°C and taken for analysis at 96 hours.

Test solutions

Vehicle:

no

Details on test solutions:

In view of the difficulties associated with the evaluation of aquatic toxicity of poorly water soluble test items, a modification of the standard method for the preparation of aqueous media was performed. An approach endorsed by several important regulatory authorities in the EU and elsewhere, is to expose organisms to a Water Accommodated Fraction (WAF) of the test item in cases where the test item is a complex mixture and is poorly soluble in water and in the permitted auxiliary solvents and surfactants. Using this approach, aqueous media are prepared by mixing the test item with water for a prolonged period. Pre-study work showed that a preparation period of 24 hours was sufficient to ensure equilibration between the test item and water phase. At the completion of mixing, the test item phase is separated by siphon and the test organisms exposed to the aqueous phase or WAF (which may contain dissolved test item and/or leachates from the test item). Exposures are expressed in terms of the original concentration of test item in water at the start of the mixing period (loading rate)
irrespective of the actual concentration of test item in the WAF.

Based on the results of a range-finding test a "Limit test" was conducted at a single loading rate of 100 mg/L to confirm that no mortalities or sub-lethal effects of exposure were observed. An amount of test item (2100 mg) was added to the surface of 21 litres of dechlorinated tap water to give the 100 mg/L loading rate. After the addition of the test item, the dechlorinated tap water was stirred by magnetic stirrer using a stirring rate such that a vortex was formed to give a dimple at the water surface. This was stirred for 23 hours. The stirring was stopped after 23 hours and the mixture allowed to stand for 1 hour. A wide bore glass tube, covered at one end with Nescofilm was submerged into the vessel, sealed end down, to a depth of approximately 5 cm from the bottom of the vessel. A length of Tygon tubing was inserted into the glass tube and pushed through the Nescofilm seal. The aqueous phase or WAF was removed by mid-depth siphoning (the first 75-100 ml discarded) to give the 100 mg/L loading rate WAF. Microscopic inspection of the WAF showed no micro-dispersions or undissolved test item to be present. This method of preparation was conducted in duplicate to give replicates R1 and R2.

Test organisms

Test organisms (species):

Oncorhynchus mykiss (previous name: Salmo gairdneri)

Details on test organisms:

The test was carried out using juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Fish were obtained from Brow Well Fisheries Limited, Hebden, near Skipton, Yorkshire, UK and maintained in-house since 25 January 2011. Fish were maintained in a glass fibre tank with a "single pass" water renewal system. Fish were acclimatised to test conditions from 23 February 2011 to 7 March 2011. The lighting cycle was controlled to give a 16 hours light and 8 hours darkness cycle with 20 minute dawn and dusk transition periods. The water temperature was controlled at approximately 14°C with a dissolved oxygen content of greater than or equal to 10.9 mg O2/L. There was 0% mortality in the 7 days prior to the start of the test and the fish had a mean standard length of 4.8 cm (sd = 0.5) and a mean weight of 1.42 g (sd = 0.53) at the end of the definitive test. Based on the mean weight value this gave a loading rate of 0.50 g bodyweight/L. At the start of the test 7 fish were placed in each test vessel at random, in the test preparations.

Study design

Test type:

semi-static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

yes

Total exposure duration:

96 h

Test conditions

Hardness:

140 mg/L as CaCO3

Test temperature:

13-15C

pH:

7.2-8.0

Dissolved oxygen:

9.8-10.8 mg/L

Nominal and measured concentrations:

The WAF were prepared at a 100 mg/L nominal loading rate. Chemical analysis of the test preparations showed measured values ranging from less
than the limit of quantitation to 0.022 mg/L.

Details on test conditions:

The test was conducted as a limit test with a single control and 2 replicates of the 100 mg/L loading rate test substance. 20 litre glass exposure vessels were used for each test concentration. At the start of the test 7 fish were placed in each test vessel at random, in the test preparations. The test vessels were then covered to reduce evaporation and maintained at approximately 14°C in a temperature controlled room with a photoperiod of 16 hours light and 8 hours darkness with 20 minute dawn and dusk transition periods for a period of 96 hours. The test vessels were aerated via narrow bore glass tubes.

Results and discussion

Effect concentrations

Effect concentrations 1

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

LL50

Effect conc.:

>= 100 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Effect concentrations 2

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

NOELR

Effect conc.:

100 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Details on results:

There were no mortalities in the control or 100 mg/L loading rate WAF for a period of 96 hours.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Executive summary:

A study was performed to assess the acute toxicity of the test item to rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The method followed was designed to be compatible with the OECD Guidelines for Testing of Chemicals (1992) No 203, "Fish, Acute Toxicity Test". Following a preliminary range-finding test fish were exposed, in two groups of seven, to a Water Accommodated Fraction (WAF) of the test item, at a single nominal loading rate of 100 mg/1 for a period of 96 hours at a temperature of approximately 14°C under semi-static test conditions. The number of mortalities and any sub-lethal effects of exposure in each test and control vessel were determined 3 and 6 hours after the start of exposure and then daily throughout the test until termination after 96 hours. Results. The 96-Hour LL50 based on nominal loading rates was greater than 100 mg/L loading rate WAF. The No Observed Effect Loading rate was 100 mg/L loading rate WAF. Chemical analysis of the test preparations showed measured values ranging from less than the limit of quantitation to 0.022 mg/L. Given that toxicity cannot be attributed to a single component or a mixture of components but to the test item as a whole, the results were based on nominal loading rates only.