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Long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

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In water, dimethyl ether - boron trifluoride rapidly decomposes to form dimethyl ether and boron trifluoride dihydrate. The latter reacts further to boric acid and fluoroboric acid, which finally hydrolyses to yield hydrofluoric acid/ fluoride ions (BUA, 2005). The assessment of long-term toxicity is therefore based on the products of hydrolysis.

The data available for long-term toxicity of boron to aquatic invertebrates is reviewed in the EU Risk Assessment Report for boron. Hooftman et al (2000a) report a NOEC for growth and reproduction of 10 mg-B/L in the only study that fully complied with standard guidelines. Other values (14 to 21 day tests) for Daphnia magna growth and reproduction range from 6 to 27 mg-B/L.

Maier and Knight (1981) report a chronic NOEC for Chironomus decorus of 10 mg-B/L in a 4 -day test of the 4th instar stage.

Older studies report NOEC values for emergence of mosquito species range from 4.4 to 18 mg-B/L (Fay, 1959), although these studies are probably too old to be used in derivation of a PNEC or SSD.