Acrylic acid

Short-term toxicity to fish

Description of key information

Acrylic acid is acutely harmful for freshwater and marine fish.

LC50 (96 h, flow through) = 27 mg/L (measured) (Salmo gairdneri, EPA OTS 797.1400)

LC50 (96 h, semi-static) = 222 mg/L (nominal) (Brachydanio rerio, 92/69/EEC part C1)

LC50 (96 h, flow through) = 236 mg/L (measured) (Cyprinodon variegatus, OECD TG 203)

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Fresh water fish

Fresh water fish

Effect concentration:

27 mg/L

Marine water fish

Marine water fish

Effect concentration:

236 mg/L

Additional information

Acrylic acid was tested in an acute toxicity test with Salmo gairdneri under flow-through conditions. Biological and chemical procedures followed the U.S. EPA-TSCA, 40 CFR, Part 797 Guideline 797.1400. Based on mean measured concentrations, the 96-hour LC50 was determined to be 27 mg/L. Reported behavioural effects were: loss of equilibrium, on bottom orientation, quiescence and erratic swimming (BAMM, 1990).

As supporting study, an acute fish test according to the 92/69/EEC part C1 with Brachydanio rerio using a semi-static test design is available. Analytical concentration control by spectrophotometrical measurements revealed a recovery rate of > 80 %. Therefore, effect values were based on nominal concentrations. The 96-hour LC50 was determined to be approx. 222 mg/L (Huels, 1995).

 

In a saltwater study conducted in the sheepshead minnow (BAMM, 1995), the 96-hour LC50 was estimated to be 236 mg/L. This study was conducted according to OECD Guideline 203 using a flow-through design. The LC50 value was based on analytically determined concentrations. Analytical recovery was between 90 and 110 % of nominal. Mortality occurred only in the highest concentration of 297 mg/L. Clinical signs and symptoms observed were: lying on bottom, lethargy, surfacing, loss of equilibrium. The NOEC was determined to be 187 mg/L. Even though being a OECD-TG-study conducted in compliance with GLP regulations, this study is only valid with restrictions since during a seven-hour-period a malfunction in the diluter occurred that caused test substance concentrations to rise up to 200 % of nominal.

 

Taking all these data into consideration, LC50 values for freshwater and marine fish are between 27 and 236 mg/L for acrylic acid. Salmo gairdneri appears to be the most sensitive fish species.

Several secondary literature sources reported short-term LD50 values with different fish species. Some species were not sensitive to the test item at other while other showed some effects.