methyl acrylate; methyl propenoate

Short-term toxicity to fish

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Reference 1

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to fish

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

16 Nov 1994 - 17 Aug 1995

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: GLP-guideline study.

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 203 (Fish, Acute Toxicity Test)

GLP compliance:

yes

Analytical monitoring:

yes

Details on sampling:

- Sampling method: samples were collected in glass scintillation vials at test inition, on day 3 in the 10 mg methyl acrylate treatment only, and at test termination.
- Sample storage conditions before analysis: at approx. 4 °C

Vehicle:

no

Details on test solutions:

PREPARATION AND APPLICATION OF TEST SOLUTION (especially for difficult test substances)
- Method: Methyl acrylate was dissolved in reverse osmosis water at concentrations of 0.648, 1.08, 1.80, 3.00 and 5.00 mg/mL. The stock solutions were injected into the diluter mixing chambers (at a rate of 250 µL/min.) where they were mixed with well water (at a rate of 125 mL/min.) to achive the desired test concentrations.

Test organisms (species):

Oncorhynchus mykiss (previous name: Salmo gairdneri)

Details on test organisms:

TEST ORGANISM
- Common name: Rainbow Trout
- Source: obtained as eyed eggs from Troutlodge, Inc. Sumner W.A. Eggs hatched at Wildlife Int. on 1995-01-18
- Age at study initiation (mean and range, SD): juvenile
- Length at study initiation (length definition, mean, range and SD): 35 mm (Range: 33 - 39)
- Weight at study initiation (mean and range, SD): 0.61 g (Range: 0.48 - 0.96)
- Feeding during test: no feeding


ACCLIMATION
- Acclimation period: 77 h
- Acclimation conditions (same as test or not): same
- Type and amount of food: no feeding


HOLDING
- Temperature: 11.9 - 12.3 °C
- pH: 7.9 - 8.1
- Oxygen: 7.6 - 8.8 mg/L
- Feeding during holding: salmon mash and/or salmon starter supplied by Zeigler Brothers, Inc., Gardners, PA

Test type:

flow-through

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

96 h

Hardness:

134 (± 2) mg/L as CaCO3

Test temperature:

12 (±2) °C

pH:

8.5 - 8.6

Dissolved oxygen:

> 60 % saturation

Nominal and measured concentrations:

Nominal test substance concentrations (mg/L): 1.3, 2.2, 3.6, 6.0, 10, control
Measured test concentrations (mg/L): 0.96, 1.4, 2.8, 4.1, 6.7, control

Details on test conditions:

TEST SYSTEM
- Test vessel:
- Type (delete if not applicable): closed
- Material, size, headspace, fill volume: Teflon-linied, 25 L polyethylene aquaria filled with approx. 15 L.
- Type of flow-through: peristaltic pump (Cole-Parmer Ind. Comp.).
- Renewal rate of test solution (frequency/flow rate): approx. 6 volumes of test water every 24 h.
- No. of organisms per vessel: 10
- No. of vessels per concentration (replicates): 2
- No. of vessels per control (replicates): 2
- Biomass loading rate: 0.4 g fish/L

TEST MEDIUM / WATER PARAMETERS
- Source/preparation of dilution water: freshwater obtained from a well 45 m deep located on the Wildlife Inter. Ltd. site.
- Total organic carbon: < 0.5 mg/L
- Alkalinity: 180 (±4) mg/L as CaCo3
- Conductivity: 315 (±5) µmhos/cm
- Culture medium different from test medium: no

OTHER TEST CONDITIONS
- Photoperiod: 16 h light, 8 h dark
- Light intensity: 136 - 151 lux

EFFECT PARAMETERS MEASURED (with observation intervals if applicable) :
- Temperature was measured in all test solutions at 0 and 96 hours of testing.
- Dissolved oxygen and pH measurements were made at test inition, at approx. 48 h and at test termination.
- Hardness, acidity, alaklinity, specific conductance and total organic carbon were measured in the dilution water at the beginning and end of the test.

Reference substance (positive control):

no

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

NOEC

Effect conc.:

2.8 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

meas. (arithm. mean)

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

other: clinical signs

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect conc.:

3.4 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

meas. (arithm. mean)

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Remarks on result:

other: 95 % CL: 2.8 - 4.1 mg/L

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

LC0

Effect conc.:

2.8 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

meas. (arithm. mean)

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Details on results:

Rainbow trout in the control, 0.96, 1.4 and 2.8 mg methyl acrylate/L treatment groups appeared healthy and normal throughout the test. After 96-hours of exposure, mortality in the 4.1 and 6.7 mg methyl acrylate/L treatment groups was 100 %.

Sublethal observations / clinical signs:

The low and variable recoveries of methyl acrylate in water samples collected during this test were thought to be due to the volatile nature of the test substance (vapour pressure 67.5 mm Hg (= 90 hPa) at 20 °C) .

Cummulative mortality and treatment related effects:

Measured Conc. [mg/l]	2.5 h		24 h		48 h		72 h		96 h
	No. dead	Effects	No. dead	Effects	No. dead	Effects	No. dead	Effects	No. dead	Effects
NC	0	20 AN	0	20 AN	0	20 AN	0	20 AN	0	20 AN
0.96	0	20 AN	0	20 AN	0	20 AN	0	20 AN	0	20 AN
1.4	0	20 AN	0	20 AN	0	20 AN	0	20 AN	0	20 AN
2.8	0	20 AN	0	20 AN	0	20 AN	0	20 AN	0	20 AN
4.1	0	20 AN	0	20 AN	0	20 AN	7	7AN, 1A, 4C, 1N	20	-
6.7	0	20 AN	0	20 AN	7	13 D	20	-	20	-

AN = appears normal; A = surfacing, C = lethargic, N = lost of equilibrium

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Reference 2

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to fish

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

16 Nov 1994 - 28 Sep 1995

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: GLP-guideline study

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 203 (Fish, Acute Toxicity Test)

GLP compliance:

yes

Analytical monitoring:

yes

Details on sampling:

- Concentrations: Water samples were collected from each replicate test chamber approximately 24 hours before the test (pre-test) to determine if the test concentrations in the diluter had reached equilibrium. Water samples were collected again at test initiation, on Day 1 of the test in the 10 mg/L treatment group (due to 100 % mortality), on Day 2 of the test, on Day 3 of the test in the 3.6 mg/L treatment group (due to 100 % mortality) , and at test termination.
- Sample storage conditions before analysis: The samples were collected in glass scintillation vials and stored at approximately 4°C until analyzed.

Vehicle:

no

Details on test solutions:

PREPARATION AND APPLICATION OF TEST SOLUTION (especially for difficult test substances)
- Method: The stock solution was prepared for each test concentrations separately.

Test organisms (species):

Cyprinodon variegatus

Details on test organisms:

TEST ORGANISM
- Common name: sheepshead minnow
- Source: obtained as juveniles from cultures maintained by Wildlife International Ltd., Easton, Maryland.
- Length at study end (length definition, mean, range and SD): 22 mm (range: 19 - 25 mm)
- Weight at study initiation (mean and range, SD): .37 g (range: 0.21 - 0.58 g)
- Feeding during test: none



ACCLIMATION
- Acclimation period: 56 h
- Acclimation conditions (same as test or not): same
- Type and amount of food: no feeding during acclimatisation
- Health during acclimation (any mortality observed): no mortality observed

Test type:

flow-through

Water media type:

saltwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

96 h

Post exposure observation period:

none

Test temperature:

22 +/- 2 °C

pH:

8.1 to 8.3

Dissolved oxygen:

> 60 % of saturation

Salinity:

20 promille

Nominal and measured concentrations:

Nominal test concentrations (mg/L): 1.3, 2.2, 3.6, 6.0, 10, control
Measured test concentrations (mg/L): 0.89, 1.6, 2.6, 4.6, 7.5, control

Details on test conditions:

TEST SYSTEM
- Material, size, headspace, fill volume: 15 L
- Renewal rate of test solution (frequency/flow rate): 6 volume additions /24 h
- No. of organisms per vessel: 10
- No. of vessels per concentration (replicates): 2
- No. of vessels per control (replicates): 2
- Biomass loading rate: 0.04 g/L


TEST MEDIUM / WATER PARAMETERS
- Source/preparation of dilution water: natural seawater collected at Indian River, Inlet, Delaware, and diluted to a salinity of approximately 20 promille with well water. Filtered and aerated.

OTHER TEST CONDITIONS
- Photoperiod: 16:8 h day-night regime
- Light intensity: fluorescent tubes emmiting wavelengths similar to natural sunlight (456 LUX)



EFFECT PARAMETERS MEASURED (with observation intervals if applicable) :
Mortality and symptoms of intoxication after 16, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours.

Reference substance (positive control):

not specified

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

NOEC

Effect conc.:

< 0.89 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

meas. (arithm. mean)

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect conc.:

1.1 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

meas. (arithm. mean)

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Remarks on result:

other: 95% CL: 0.89 - 1.6 mg/L

Duration:

96 h

Dose descriptor:

LC0

Effect conc.:

< 0.89 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

meas. (arithm. mean)

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mortality (fish)

Reported statistics and error estimates:

Probit analysis

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Description of key information

Methyl acrylate is acutely toxic to freshwater and marine fish.
LC50 (96 h, flow through) = 3.4 mg/L (measured) (Oncorhynchus mykiss, OECD 203)
LC50 (96 h, flow through) = 1.1 mg/L (measured) (Cyprinodon variegatus, OECD 203)

As described in section 13.2 of IUCLID, testing information is consistent with six acrylic esters evaluated as a category.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Fresh water fish

Fresh water fish

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect concentration:

3.4 mg/L

Marine water fish

Marine water fish

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect concentration:

1.1 mg/L

Additional information

In the key study for acute toxicity to fish (BAMM, 1995), the 96-hour LC50 for rainbow trout was 3.4 mg/L based on the mean measured concentrations. This study followed OECD Guideline 203 using a flow-through design. Nominal exposure concentrations ranged from 1.3 to 10 mg/L and mean measured concentrations (0 and 96 hrs) ranged from 0.96 to 6.7 mg/L. After 96-hours of exposure, mortality in the 4.1 and 6.7 mg methyl acrylate/L treatment groups was 100%. Rainbow trout in the control, 0.96, 1.4 and 2.8 mg methyl acrylate/L treatment groups appeared healthy and normal throughout the test. The LC50 was determined based on analytical values.

In a saltwater study conducted in the sheepshead minnow (BAMM, 1995), the 96-hour LC50 was estimated to be 1.1 mg/L. This study was conducted according to OECD Guideline 203 using a flow-through design. Nominal test concentrations ranged from 1.3 to 10 mg/L, and mean measured concentrations from 0.89 to 7.5 mg/L. The LC50 value was based on analytically determined concentrations. After 96 hours of exposure, mortality was 100% in all treatment groups >= 1.6 mg methyl acrylate/L. Mortality in the 0.89 mg methyl acrylate/L treatment group was 20%.

In addition, a robust data set of acute studies is available from the other members of the acrylic ester category (2-ethylhexyl, ethyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, and tert-butyl acrylate).