Ethyl chloroacetate

Endpoint summary

Description of key information

Key studies: Experimental studies conducted with the substance ethyl chloroacetate: 
LD50 oral (rat) = 180 mg/kg bw (no guideline was followed but the test method was similar to OECD 401). 
LD50 dermal (rat) = 161,2 mg/kg bw (no guideline was followed but the test method was similar to OECD 402). 
LC50 inhalation (rat) =  3.33 ml/m3  (no guideline was followed but the test method was similar to OECD 403). 

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Acute toxicity: via oral route

Endpoint conclusion

Dose descriptor:

LD50

Value:

180 mg/kg bw

Acute toxicity: via inhalation route

Endpoint conclusion

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Value:

3 800 mg/m³ air

Acute toxicity: via dermal route

Endpoint conclusion

Dose descriptor:

LD50

Value:

161.2 mg/kg bw

Additional information

Acute oral toxicity: key study in rats which is considered the relevant specie for acute oral toxicity classification. Although no guideline was followed, the test method was similar to OECD 401. There is a value obtained in rats from a handbook with a result for the oral LD50 of 50 mg/kg. However there is no information of the method, number of animals that were used in the study, etc. Furthermore, this value is on the borderline between classification in Category 2 or Category 3. Therefore based on the results obtained with the substance in the first study the proposed classification for the substance is Acute toxicity Category 3 (oral).

Acute dermal toxicity: one study in rats and one study in rabbits. Both species are considered relevant for acute dermal toxicity classification. Therefore, the lowest effect level has been determined as the key study in order to be used for classification in the most severe category. The lowest dermal LD50 was observed in rats and supports the classification of substance in the Acute toxicity Category 2 (dermal).

Acute inhalation toxicity: key study in rats which is considered the relevant species for acute inhalation toxicity classification. The acute inhalation toxicity of Monochloressigsäureäthylester was tested in rats in an apparatus for spraying dynamically an aerosol. The LC50 was 3.33 ml/m3. Taking into account that the density of 1.15 g/cm3 at 20 ºC, the LC50 is 3.8 mg/l. Since the substance was administered to the animals as an aerosol, these results support the classification of the substance in the Acute toxicity Category 4 (inhalation). However, since the substance is included in the harmonised classification and labelling list and it is classified as Category 3 (minimum classification), the substance will be classified as Acute toxicity Category 3.

Justification for classification or non-classification

The oral LD50 was 180 mg/kg bw with a 95% confidence interval between 151 and 215 mg/kg bw. Therefore, the substance is classified as Acute Toxicity Category 3.

The dermal LD50 was 161.2 mg/kg bw with a 95% confidence interval between 129.2 and 201.1 mg/kg bw. Therefore, the substance is classified as Acute Toxicity Category 2.

The 4-h inhalation LC50 in rats was determined to be 3.33 ml/m3 (3.8 mg/l). Since the substance was administered to the animals as an aerosol, these results support the classification of the substance in the Acute toxicity Category 4 (inhalation). However, since the substance is included in the harmonised classification and labelling list and it is classified as Category 3 (minimum classification), the substance will be classified as Acute toxicity Category 3.