Methyl benzoate

Short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Type of information:

(Q)SAR

Adequacy of study:

weight of evidence

Study period:

March 13th, 2023

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

results derived from a valid (Q)SAR model and falling into its applicability domain, with limited documentation / justification

Justification for type of information:

See attached justification.

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other: ECHA Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment - Chapter R.06: QSARs and grouping of chemicals

Principles of method if other than guideline:

See the justification for type of information.

Analytical monitoring:

no

Test organisms (species):

other: See Details

Details on test organisms:

For freshwater invertebrates equations, species frequently include Daphnia magna or Daphnia pulex.

Water media type:

freshwater

Duration:

48 h

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect conc.:

29.12 mg/L

Nominal / measured:

estimated

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

mortality

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Conclusions:

The ECOSAR model is a reliable and appropriate QSAR model to apply to methyl benzoate, as it is based on a chemical dataset that calculates the toxicity of esters, which exhibit excess toxicity in addition to narcosis.
The predicted short-term (48-h) toxicity LC50 for daphnid is 29.12 mg/L.

Executive summary:

On test material, the predicted short-term (48-h) toxicity LC50 for daphnid is 29.12 mg/L.

Description of key information

The predicted EC50 value of methyl benzoate for acute toxicity to aquatic invertebrates (Daphnids) of 29.12 mg/L corresponds well with an available experimental EC50 value of 32.1 mg/L. The lower predicted EC50 value will be used further in the hazard assessment.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Fresh water invertebrates

Fresh water invertebrates

Dose descriptor:

EC50

Effect concentration:

29.12 mg/L

Additional information

No reliable experimental results (RL 1 or 2) are readily available that could be used to characterise the endpoint. The LC50 value after 48 hours as predicted with the ECOSAR modelling tool is 29.12 mg/L. This corresponds well with an available experimental EC50 value of 32.1 mg/L found in an acute toxicity test with Daphnia magna over a period of 48 hours, which was published in the context of the US EPA High Production Volume Challenge (Cunningham 1997). The lower predicted EC50 value of 29.12 mg/L will be used further in the hazard assessment of the substance. The substance is considered to be moderately toxic to aquatic invertebrates in acute tests and further testing is deemed not necessary.