Registration Dossier

Data platform availability banner - registered substances factsheets

Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.

The new ECHA CHEM database has been released by ECHA, and it now contains all REACH registration data. There are more details on the transition of ECHA's published data to ECHA CHEM here.

Diss Factsheets

Ecotoxicological information

Long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Administrative data

Endpoint:
long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates
Data waiving:
study scientifically not necessary / other information available
Justification for data waiving:
other:
Justification for type of information:
The substance is considered readily biodegradable and is of relatively low toxicity to aquatic organisms.
Potassium is present in surface water at concentrations > 1.5 mg/l and is present in seawater at 400 mg/l
Cross-reference
Reason / purpose for cross-reference:
data waiving: supporting information
Reference
Endpoint:
biodegradation in water: ready biodegradability
Type of information:
read-across based on grouping of substances (category approach)
Adequacy of study:
weight of evidence
Study period:
28 day Ready Biodegradation
Reliability:
1 (reliable without restriction)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
test procedure in accordance with generally accepted scientific standards and described in sufficient detail
Justification for type of information:
Benzoate salts – justification for read-across. As with all salts, the significance for toxicity or environmental assessment is the presence of specific ions that will form when in solution or when in biological systems. In the case of metal salts of organic acids, the cation is generally critical to determine the solubility in biological or environmental media and if the key physico-chemical properties are equivalent, the potential for hazard and environmental fate will be equivalent; this is especially so for potassium and sodium salts that share similar solubility and dissociation characteristics.The cation is only critical in determining hazard if this is itself hazardous, but if the metal cations are present in the diet or are ‘essential’ elements for health, then there should be little to differentiated long-term hazards.
It is considered that potassium and sodium salts will behave in the same way under environmental conditions.
Qualifier:
equivalent or similar to guideline
Guideline:
EU Method C.4-D (Determination of the "Ready" Biodegradability - Manometric Respirometry Test)
Version / remarks:
The aim of this ring-test programme was to examine the reliability of a method of assessing the biodegradability of chemical substances based on a UK adaptation of the Japanese MITI test so that it may be included in Annex V of the Directive 79/831/CEE.
Principles of method if other than guideline:
Test performed at 12 different laboratories as part of a method validation exercise. Sodium benzoate is usd as a reference substance for biodegradation testing
GLP compliance:
not specified
Oxygen conditions:
aerobic
Inoculum or test system:
activated sludge, non-adapted
Details on inoculum:
Inoculum sludge grown on sewage
Duration of test (contact time):
28 d
Based on:
not specified
Remarks:
Range used
Parameter followed for biodegradation estimation:
O2 consumption
Reference substance:
not required
Remarks:
The research was to confirm sodium benzoate as a reference substance
Key result
Parameter:
% degradation (DOC removal)
Value:
64 - 97
Sampling time:
10 d
Parameter:
% degradation (DOC removal)
Value:
75 - 100
Sampling time:
28 d
Details on results:
As expected, sodium benzoate was readily degraded and values of biodegradation from all laboratories exceeded 60% after 14 days, t + 10 days
Validity criteria fulfilled:
yes
Interpretation of results:
readily biodegradable
Conclusions:
As expected, sodium benzoate was readily degraded and values of biodegradation from all laboratories exceeded 60% after 14 days, t + 10 days
Executive summary:

Test performed at 12 different laboratories as part of a method validation exercise. Sodium benzoate is used as a reference substance for biodegradation testing

A good level of biodegradation is noted with both benzoic acid and the sodium salt. 

Sodium benzoate is used as a reference substance for biodegradation testing and it is considered that potassium benzoate will behave in the same way.

Potassium and sodium benzoate dissociate under environmental conditions and the organic components will behave the same irrespective of the mono-valent metal ion associated with it.

Benzoate is rapidly biodegradable under aerobic conditions

Data source

Materials and methods

Results and discussion

Applicant's summary and conclusion