Calcium

Endpoint summary

Additional information

Testing of the terrestrial toxicity endpoints are not considered applicable based on the following:

1. In accordance with REACH Annex XI.2 testing of elemental Ca is technically not possible, and


2. In accordance with REACH Annex XI.3, and Annex IX and Annex X Column 2 adaptation statements, information requirements 9.4 effects on terrestrial organisms, testing is not necessary as direct or indirect exposure of elemental Ca to the soil compartment in unlikely to occur (see exposure assessment in CSR Chapter 9).

 

1. Testing of terrestrial endpoints data is not considered applicable for elemental Ca as such because terrestrial testing of elemental Ca is not technically feasible based on the existing data on Ca reactivity in water and air.


2. Also, because Ca is not naturally found in its elemental state, the decision which environmental endpoints are relevant is based on the exposure and the bioavailability considerations of Ca in its whole life-cycle. Elemental Ca is used in iron, steel and alloy manufacturing processes.The life cycle of Ca metal in these processes ends with reaction on use; thereforethe exposure of Ca (metal form) into soil compartment is unlikely. Ca metal will immediately react under the extreme heat conditions of these processes to form calcium oxide (CaO) which becomes part of the slag. The slag may be applied to soil, but adverse environmental effects are not expected based on the non-hazardous properties of these by-products produced in the end of the life cycle of Ca use in steel and iron manufacture. The main by-products in Ca use in metallurgical processes are furnace and steel slags. Because of the non-hazardous nature, these slags are widely re-used in soil and ground construction all over the Europe. These by-products are also used as calcification materials to replace limestone in the soil improvement purposes. Certain iron slags (e.g. Thomas slag) are presented in the list of fertilizers in the regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 of the European Parliament and the Council relating to fertilizers (OJ L 304; 21.11.2003). Also, the national list of fertilizers exists were steel and furnace slags are approved by-products to be used as calcification in soil improvement (e.g. Annex 1C 2 (the list of Finnish national fertilizers) of the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry regulation No 12/2007). See also supporting information in CSR in Chapter 9.

Semi-quantitative risk characterisation was applied to soil compartment. For this purpose, PNEC value of Ca(OH)2was applied.See further information in CSR Chapter 10.

Soil: 21 d NOEC value for the shoot fresh weight ofBrassica napus= 1080 mg/kg soil dw (Friedrich S., 2007)

- PNEC soil: 1080 mg/kg soil dw, assessment factor 1, justification: lowest NOEC value: 1080 mg Ca(OH)2/kg dw for growth (shoot fresh weight) of Brassica napus