Fatty acids, soya, 2-ethylhexyl esters

Long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Description of key information

No chronic effects on aquatic invertebrates up to the limit of water solubility, read across. 

Additional information

Data on the long-term toxicity of Fatty acids, soya, 2-ethylhexyl esters (CAS 93572-14-6) to aquatic organisms are not available.
The assessment was therefore based on studies conducted with the structurally analogue substances 2-ethylhexyl oleate (CAS 26399-02-0) and Fatty acids, C8-16, 2-ethylhexyl esters (CAS 135800-37-2), as part of a read across approach, which is in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006, Annex XI, 1.5. Further justification is given within the overall summary chapter 6.1 and within the analogue justification section 13.
The long-term toxicity of 2-ethylhexyl oleate (CAS 26399-02-0) to Daphnia magna was tested according to OECD guideline 202, part 2 (Kuech, 1995). Nominal test substance concentrations of 1 mg/L and 100 mg/L respectively were prepared. The test solutions were filtered before the test organisms were added. The analytically determined concentration was <0.01 mg/L for both nominal substance concentrations. The test organisms were exposed to the test substance for 21 days. During the exposure period the mortality and reproduction of the test organisms was recorded. No effect was observed at a nominal substance concentration of 1 mg/L, whereas at a nominal substance concentration of 100 mg/L a reduced survival and reproduction rate was observed. The study authors related the observed detrimental effects to sample contamination. A NOEC(21 d) > 1 mg/L based on reproduction was reported.
The chronic toxicity of Fatty acids, C8-16, 2-ethylhexyl esters (CAS 135800-37-2) to aquatic invertebrates was tested according to OECD guideline 202 part II under GLP conditions (Wierich, 1998). The test organism Daphnia magna was exposed to the test substance in a semi-static system for 21 days. Filtered solutions with nominal substance concentrations of 1 and 100 mg/L were prepared. At a nominal substance concentration of 1 mg/L no effects on Daphnia magna were observed regarding mortality and reproduction. Whereas at a nominal substance concentration of 100 mg/L the reproduction rate of Daphnia magna was reduced. The study authors supposed that the observed effect was due to a better water soluble by-compound (for example a short chain fatty acid ester) or - less likely due to a toxic impurity. Therefore, a NOEC(21 d) > 1 mg/L (nominal) based on reproduction was reported.
Thus, based on the above mentioned result, and due to the structural and profile similarities of the substances, as are explained with in the overall endpoint summary 6.1 it can be concluded that no chronic toxicological effects on aquatic invertebrates are expected up to the limit of water solubility for Fatty acids, soya, 2-ethylhexyl esters (CAS 93572-14-6).