Formic acid, manufacture of, by-products from

Toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria

Type of information:

read-across from supporting substance (structural analogue or surrogate)

Adequacy of study:

weight of evidence

Justification for type of information:

It is considered appropriate to address the data requirements for reaction mass of 2,2-bis(formyloxymethyl)propane-1,3-diyl diformate and formic acid by read-across to the available studies on structurally similar substances.
Reaction mass of 2,2-bis(formyloxymethyl)propane-1,3-diyl diformate and formic acid is comprised of formic acid (free) up to 59%, propylidynetrimethanol (trimethylolpropane, TMP) up to 35%, and pentaerythritol up to 19.6%.
Aquatic algae toxicity studies are available on ammonium formate (which is structurally similar to formic acid), propylidynetrimethanol (trimethylolpropane, TMP), and dipentaerythritol (which is analogous to pentaerythritol). The data requirements for reaction mass of 2,2-bis(formyloxymethyl)propane-1,3-diyl diformate and formic acid are addressed by read-across to ammonium formate, propylidynetrimethanol (TMP) and dipentaerythritol.

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

read-across source

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

read-across source

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

read-across source

Specific details on test material used for the study:

Ammonium formate, propylidynetrimethanol (trimethylolpropane, TMP), and dipentaerythritol are being used as a read across for 2,2-bis(formyloxymethyl)propane-1,3-diyl diformate and formic acid.

Duration:

72 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

1 240 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

act. ingr.

Basis for effect:

growth rate

Remarks on result:

other: Key data from ammonium formate study

Duration:

72 h

Dose descriptor:

NOEC

Effect conc.:

< 76.8 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

act. ingr.

Basis for effect:

growth rate

Remarks on result:

other: Key data from ammonium formate study

Duration:

72 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

> 1 000 mg/L

Basis for effect:

biomass

Remarks on result:

other: Key data from TMP study

Key result

Duration:

72 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

> 100 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

biomass

Remarks on result:

other: Key data from dipentaerythritol study

Key result

Duration:

72 h

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect conc.:

> 100 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

growth rate

Remarks on result:

other: Key data from dipentaerythritol study

Details on results:

The key data from aquatic algae toxicity studies on ammonium formate, propylidynetrimethanol (trimethylolpropane, TMP), and dipentaerythritol are used for weight of evidence read across to reaction mass of 2,2-bis(formyloxymethyl)propane-1,3-diyl diformate and formic acid.

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Conclusions:

The toxicity of the target substance, reaction mass of 2,2-bis(formyloxymethyl)propane-1,3-diyl diformate and formic acid, to aquatic algae was estimated to be 72 h NOEC = <76.8 mg/L and 72 h EC50 = >100 mg/L, based on worst case read-across studies on Desmodesmus subspicatus exposed to ammonium formate and Pseudokirchnerella subcapitata exposed to dipentaerythritol, respectively.

Executive summary:

Studies are available to assess the toxicity of the read-across substances formic acid, propylidynetrimethanol (trimethylolpropane, TMP) and dipentaerythritol to aquatic algae:

A 72 h static test was carried out to determine the toxicity of ammonium formate to Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata. The 72 h EC50 was found to be 1240 mg/l and the 72 h NOEC was <76.8 mg/L.

The toxicity of TMP on the green algae P. subcapitata (reported as Selenastrum carpicornutum) was tested according to an OECD guideline. The 72 h EbC50 was determined to be >1000 mg/L (based on nominal concentrations). Being performed by EA Japan according to an OECD-Guideline, the study is considered to be acceptable.

The freshwater algae, Scenedesmus subspicatus was exposed to a nominal exposure concentration of 100 mg/L dipentaerythritol (used as a read across substance) for 72 h under static conditions. The mean measured concentration of the 100 mg/L test treatment was 114 mg/L. As the measured concentration was within ± 20% of the nominal concentration the results of the study was based on the nominal exposure concentration. No effects were seen on either growth rate or biomass, therefore the 72 hour EbC50 and 72 hour ErC50 were both >100mg/L, the corresponding no-observed effect concentration (NOEC) were both observed to be 100 mg/L.

Description of key information

The lowest available EC50 was found to be 100 mg/L.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

EC50 for freshwater algae:

100 mg/L

EC10 or NOEC for freshwater algae:

76.8 mg/L

Additional information

Studies are available to assess the toxicity of the read-across substances formic acid, propylidynetrimethanol (trimethylolpropane, TMP) and dipentaerythritol to aquatic algae:

A 72 h static test was carried out to determine the toxicity of ammonium formate to Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata. The 72 h EC50 was found to be 1240 mg/L and the 72 h NOEC was <76.8 mg/L.

The toxicity of trimethylolpropane on the green algae P. subcapitata (reported as Selenastrum carpicornutum) was tested according to an OECD guideline. The 72 h EbC50 was determined to be >1000 mg/L (based on nominal concentrations). Being performed by EA Japan according to an OECD-Guideline, the study is considered to be acceptable.

The freshwater algae, Scenedesmus subspicatus was exposed to a nominal exposure concentration of 100 mg/L dipentaerythritol (used as a read across substance) for 72 h under static conditions. The mean measured concentration of the 100 mg/L test treatment was 114 mg/L. As the measured concentration was within ± 20% of the nominal concentration the results of the study was based on the nominal exposure concentration. No effects were seen on either growth rate or biomass, therefore the 72 h EbC50 and 72 h ErC50 were both >100mg/L, the corresponding no-observed effect concentration (NOEC) were both observed to be 100mg/L.