Fate, weathering, behaviour and toxicity of priority Hazardous and Noxious Substances

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On this database it is collected information on fate, weathering, behaviour and toxicity of priority Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) from different sources. This systematized information is a useful tool to predict the behaviour of priority HNS in accidental spills, backing spill preparedness and effective decision-making process. This database also provides an important support to environmental and human health risk assessment, and monitoring actions.

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Name: m-Xylene

CAS Number: 108-38-3

UN Number: 1307

Formulae: C8H10

Name: m-Xylene

CAS Number: 108-38-3

UN Number: 1307

Formulae: C8H10

Physicochemical properties/Characteristics

FE

Physical behaviour (GESAMP, 2016)

1, 2

106.168

Molecular Weight
(g/mol)

2

0.87

Density
(kg/L)

2

1.11

Vapour pressure
(KPa; 25ºC)

2

161

Water solubility
(mg/L; 25ºC)

2

0.58

Dynamic viscosity
(mPa.s; 25ºC)

2, 3

-47.8

Melting point (ºC)

2

139.1

Boiling point (ºC)

2

27.0

Volatilization half-life (days)

4
  1. G: gas; D: dissolver; E: evaporator; F: floater; S: sinker; GD: gas/dissolver; DE: dissolver/evaporator; FD: floater/dissolver; FE: floater/evaporator; FED: floater/evaporator/dissolver; Fp: persistent floater; SD: sinker/dissolver
  2. Values collected from the literature and public databases e.g. PubChem
  3. “-“ corresponds to values not found
  4. Values estimated with models of the EPI suiteTM

Fugacity/Persistence

3.13

Air

4, 5

95.40

Water

4, 5

0.01

Soil

4, 5

1.48

Sediment

4, 5

8.2

Persistence (days)

4
  1. Values estimated with models of the EPI suiteTM
  2. In the present study, only emissions in water were considered

Physicochemical degradation/Biodegradation

9.5

Atmosferic Oxidation (hours)

4

NR

Biodegradation rate (GESAMP, 2016)

6, 7

0.64

Aerobic biodegradation probability

4

3.56 days-weeks

Primary aerobic biodegradation half-life

4, 8

2.81 weeks

Ultimate aerobic biodegradation half-life

4, 8

4.4

Hydrocarbon Biodegradation half-life (days)

3, 4

0.29

Anaerobic Biodegradation probability

4
  1. “-“ corresponds to values not found
  2. Values estimated with models of the EPI suiteTM
  3. Results obtained from the literature
  4. GESAMP criteria consider substances to be “readily biodegradable” (R) if, in 28-day biodegradation studies, the following levels of degradation are achieved: in tests based upon dissolved organic carbon (DOC) die-away: ≥ 70%; or in tests based upon oxygen depletion or carbon dioxide generation: ≥ 60% of the theoretical maxima; or where only chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) data are available, the ratio of BOD5/COD ≥ 0.5; or where other convincing scientific evidence is available to demonstrate that the substance can be degraded (biotically and/or abiotically) in the aquatic environment to a level of > 70% within a 28-day period. Otherwise they are “not readily biodegradable” (NR) (GESAMP, 2014).
  5. See Table 1 in the supplementary material for more information on the rating reported by Boethling et al. (1994)

Bioaccumulation/Biotransformation

0.99

Biotransformation half-life (days)

2

3.20

Partition coefficient (log Kow)

2

119.2

Bioconcentration factor (BFC)

4

3

Bioaccumulation rate (GESAMP, 2016)

9

2.53

Adsorption coefficient (log koc)

2
  1. Values collected from the literature and public databases e.g. PubChem
  2. Values estimated with models of the EPI suiteTM
  3. See Table 2 in the supplementary material for more information on Bioaccumulation rate classification (GESAMP, 2014)

Aquatic Toxicity

3

Acute toxicity (GESAMP, 2016)

10

0

Chronic toxicity (GESAMP, 2016)

3, 10
  1. “-“ corresponds to values not found
  2. See Table 3 in the supplementary material for more information on Aquatic Toxicity classification (GESAMP, 2014)

Acute Mammals/Human health effects

0

Oral Toxicity (GESAMP, 2016)

11

0

Dermal toxicity (GESAMP, 2016)

11

0

Inhalation toxicity (GESAMP, 2016)

11

2

Skin irritation & corrosion (GESAMP, 2016)

11

2

Eye irritation & corrosion (GESAMP, 2016)

11

0

Toxicity

12

0

Severity

12
  1. See Table 4 in the supplementary material for more information on Human health (Toxic effects to mammals) classification (GESAMP, 2014)
  2. For more information on Toxicity and Severity scores consult Harold et al. (2014)

Chronic Human/Mammals health effects

1

Carcinogenicity (IARC)

3, 13

No

Mutagenicity (GESAMP, 2016)

11

No

Reprotoxicity (GESAMP, 2016)

11

No

Sensitizing to skin (GESAMP, 2016)

11

No

Aspiration hazard (GESAMP, 2016)

11

No

Target Organ Toxicity (GESAMP, 2016)

11

No

Sensitizing to respiratory system (GESAMP, 2016)

11

No

Neurotoxicity (GESAMP, 2016)

11

No

Immunotoxicity (GESAMP, 2016)

11
  1. “-“ corresponds to values not found
  2. See Table 4 in the supplementary material for more information on Human health (Toxic effects to mammals) classification (GESAMP, 2014)
  3. See Table 5 in the supplementary material for more information on IARC classification

Toxicity tests results
PNECseawater: 2 µg/L
PNECwater, intermittent: 32 µg/L

Algae

EC50

Parameter

1

4.9

Concentration
(mg/L)

Green algae - Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata

Species

Growth inhibition

Endpoint

Freshwater; Static; 72h-exposure

Observations

1

EC50

Parameter

2

3.9

Concentration
(mg/L)

Green algae - Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata

Species

Growth inhibition

Endpoint

Freshwater; Static; 8d-exposure; Exponential growth phase (log)

Observations

2

MATC

Parameter

2

1

Concentration
(mg/L)

Green algae - Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata

Species

Growth inhibition

Endpoint

Freshwater; Static; 8d-exposure

Observations

3 Lowest
  1. Galassi et al; Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 16 (2): 158-169 (1988) as cited in the ECOTOX database. Available at: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ecotox/quick_query.htm (accessed February 2, 2017)
  2. Herman et al; Impact of Volatile Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Alone and in Combination, on Growth of the Freshwater Alga Selenastrum capricornutum. Aquat Toxicol 18 (2): 87-100 (1990)

Invertebrates

EC50

Parameter

1

4.7

Concentration
(mg/L)

Water flea - Daphnia magna

Species

Intoxication, immobilization

Endpoint

Freshwater; Static; 24h-exposure

Observations

4

EC50

Parameter

2

3.53

Concentration
(mg/L)

Water flea - Daphnia magna

Species

Intoxication, immobilization

Endpoint

Freshwater; Static; 20-22 °C; 48h-exposure; ≤ 24h age (Neonate)

Observations

5

EC50

Parameter

3

9.6

Concentration
(mg/L)

Water flea - Daphnia magna

Species

Intoxication, immobilization

Endpoint

Freshwater; Static; 23 °C; 48h-exposure; 4-6d age

Observations

6

LC50

Parameter

4

4.1

Concentration
(mg/L)

Bay shrimp - Crangon franciscorum

Species

Mortality

Endpoint

Static; 16 °C; 24h-exposure; Adult

Observations

7

LC50

Parameter

4

3.2

Concentration
(mg/L)

Bay shrimp - Crangon franciscorum

Species

Mortality

Endpoint

Static; 16 °C; 96h-exposure; Adult

Observations

8 Lowest

LC50

Parameter

5

19.32

Concentration
(mg/L)

Brine shrimp - Artemia salina

Species

Mortality

Endpoint

Saltwater; Static; 24h-exposure; Nauplii

Observations

9

LC50

Parameter

6

33

Concentration
(mg/L)

Dungeness crab - Cancer magister

Species

Mortality

Endpoint

Saltwater; Static; 13 °C; 48h-exposure; 1 instar age (Zoea)

Observations

10

LC50

Parameter

6

12

Concentration
(mg/L)

Dungeness crab - Cancer magister

Species

Mortality

Endpoint

Saltwater; Static; 13 °C; 96h-exposure; 1 instar age (Zoea)

Observations

11

MATC

Parameter

7

1.7

Concentration
(mg/L)

Daphnids

Species

Reproduction

Endpoint

-

Observations

12
  1. Galassi et al; Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 16 (2): 158-169 (1988) as cited in the ECOTOX database. Available at: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ecotox/quick_query.htm (accessed February 2, 2017)
  2. MacLean MM, Doe KG; Environment Canada, EE-111, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia: 64 p. (1989) as cited in the ECOTOX database. Available at: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ecotox/quick_query.htm (accessed January 30, 2017)
  3. Bobra et al; Chemosphere 12 (9-10): 1121-1129 (1983) as cited in the ECOTOX database. Available at: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ecotox/quick_query.htm (accessed February 15, 2017)
  4. International Programme on chemical safety; Environmental health criteria 190, Xylenes (1997). Available at: http://www.inchem.org/documents/ehc/ehc/ehc190.htm#SubSectionNumber:7.1.1 (accessed November 25, 2015)
  5. Abernethy S et al; Aquat Toxicol 8 (3): 163-174 (1986) as cited in the ECOTOX database. Available at: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ecotox/quick_query.htm (accessed February 10, 2017)
  6. Caldwell RS et al; In: Wolfe DA (Ed.), Fate and Effects of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Marine Ecosystems and Organisms, Pergamon Press, Oxford: 210-220 (1977) as cited in the ECOTOX database. Available at: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ecotox/quick_query.htm (accessed February 15, 2017)
  7. CAS-Niederlehner et al (1998) as cited in ECOSAR v1.11 (EPA) (accessed February 16, 2017)

Fish

LC50

Parameter

1

16

Concentration
(mg/L)

Goldfish - Carassius auratus

Species

Mortality

Endpoint

Freshwater; Static; 20 °C; 24h-exposure

Observations

13

LC50

Parameter

2

7.9

Concentration
(mg/L)

Striped bass - Morone saxatilis

Species

Mortality

Endpoint

Static; 16 °C; 24h and 96h-exposure

Observations

14

LC50

Parameter

2

305

Concentration
(mg/L)

Guppy - Poecilia reticulata

Species

Mortality

Endpoint

Static; 14d-exposure

Observations

15

LC50

Parameter

3

12.9

Concentration
(mg/L)

Guppy - Poecilia reticulata

Species

Mortality

Endpoint

Freshwater; Renewal; 21 ± 1 °C; 96h-exposure

Observations

16

LC50

Parameter

3

8.4

Concentration
(mg/L)

Rainbow trout - Oncorhynchus mykiss

Species

Mortality

Endpoint

Freshwater; Renewal; 12 ± 1 °C; 96h-exposure

Observations

17

LC50

Parameter

2

3.77

Concentration
(mg/L)

Rainbow trout - Oncorhynchus mykiss

Species

Mortality

Endpoint

Freshwater; Flow-through; 30 min after fertilization to 4 days after hatching (23 days); Embryo-larval stages

Observations

18

LOEC

Parameter

2

10

Concentration
(mg/L)

Atlantic cod - Gadus morhua L.

Species

Decrease of fertilization rate

Endpoint

Eggs

Observations

19
  1. Bridie et al; Water Res 13 (7): 623-626 (1979) as cited in the ECOTOX database. Available at: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ecotox/quick_query.htm (accessed February 15, 2017)
  2. International Programme on chemical safety; Environmental health criteria 190, Xylenes (1997). Available at: http://www.inchem.org/documents/ehc/ehc/ehc190.htm#SubSectionNumber:7.1.1 (accessed November 25, 2015)
  3. Galassi et al; Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 16 (2): 158-169 (1988) as cited in the ECOTOX database. Available at: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ecotox/quick_query.htm (accessed February 2, 2017)

Amphibians

LC50

Parameter

1

3.53

Concentration
(mg/L)

Leopard frog - Rana pipiens

Species

Mortality

Endpoint

Flow-through system; 30 min after fertilization to 4 days after hatching (5 days); Embryo-larval stages

Observations

20
  1. International Programme on chemical safety; Environmental health criteria 190, Xylenes (1997). Available at: http://www.inchem.org/documents/ehc/ehc/ehc190.htm#SubSectionNumber:7.1.1 (accessed November 25, 2015)

Mammals

EC50

Parameter

1

39

Concentration
(mg/L)

Rat

Species

Inhibition of hypotonic haemolysis of erythrocytes

Endpoint

In vitro

Observations

21

LC50

Parameter

1

5984

Concentration
(ppm)

Rat

Species

Mortality

Endpoint

Acute; 6h-inhalation

Observations

22

LC50

Parameter

1

5267

Concentration
(ppm)

Mice

Species

Mortality

Endpoint

Acute; 6h-inhalation

Observations

23

LD50

Parameter

1

5011

Concentration
(mg/kg)

Rat

Species

Mortality

Endpoint

Oral

Observations

24

LD50

Parameter

1

12180

Concentration
(mg/kg)

Rabbit

Species

Mortality

Endpoint

Dermal; 24h-exposure

Observations

25

LOEC

Parameter

1

425

Concentration
(mg/kg)

Rat

Species

Depletion of hepatic GSH levels

Endpoint

Intraperitoneal

Observations

26

LOEC

Parameter

2

3

Concentration
(mg/L)

Rat, female

Species

Decrease of food consumption; Decrease of fetal body weight; Decrease of preimplantation fetal success

Endpoint

Inhalation; 24h-day; 7-14 gestation-day

Observations

27

NOEC

Parameter

2

1.5

Concentration
(mg/L)

Rat, female

Species

Decrease of food consumption; Decrease of fetal body weight; Decrease of preimplantation fetal success

Endpoint

Inhalation; 24h-day; 7-14 gestation-day

Observations

28

LOEC

Parameter

1

345

Concentration
(ppm)

Rat, female

Species

Decrease of fetal body weight

Endpoint

Inhalation; 24h-day; 7-14 gestation-day

Observations

29

NOEC

Parameter

1

34

Concentration
(ppm)

Rat, female

Species

Decrease of fetal body weight

Endpoint

Inhalation; 24h-day; 7-14 gestation-day

Observations

30

LOEC

Parameter

1

690

Concentration
(ppm)

Rat, female

Species

Delayed skeletal ossification

Endpoint

Inhalation; 24h-day; 7-14 gestation-day

Observations

31

NOEC

Parameter

1

345

Concentration
(ppm)

Rat, female

Species

Delayed skeletal ossification

Endpoint

Inhalation; 24h-day; 7-14 gestation-day

Observations

32

NOEC

Parameter

1

75

Concentration
(ppm)

Rat, male

Species

Decrease in cytochrome P-450 concentrations

Endpoint

Acute; 24h-inhalation

Observations

33

LOEC

Parameter

1

400

Concentration
(ppm)

Rat, male

Species

Increase of hepatic microsomal protein; Increase of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase levels; Decrease of hepatic GSH levels

Endpoint

Inhalation; 6h-day; 5d-week; 1 week

Observations

34

NOEC

Parameter

1

50

Concentration
(ppm)

Rat, male

Species

Increase of hepatic microsomal protein; Increase of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase levels; Decrease of hepatic GSH levels

Endpoint

Inhalation; 6h-day; 5d-week; 1 week

Observations

35

LOEC

Parameter

3

1.71

Concentration
(mg/L)

Rat, male

Species

Increase in brain NADPH-diaphorase and azoreductase activities

Endpoint

Inhalation; 6h-daily; 5d-week; 2 weeks

Observations

36

NOEC

Parameter

3

0.21

Concentration
(mg/L)

Rat, male

Species

Increase in brain NADPH-diaphorase and azoreductase activities

Endpoint

Inhalation; 6h-daily; 5d-week; 2 weeks

Observations

37
  1. International Programme on chemical safety; Environmental health criteria 190, Xylenes (1997). Available at: http://www.inchem.org/documents/ehc/ehc/ehc190.htm#SubSectionNumber:7.1.1 (accessed November 25, 2015)
  2. IARC; Monographs Vol. 47, Xylene. Available at: http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol47/mono47-8.pdf (accessed November 26, 2015)
  3. Savolainen H, Pfäffli P; Dose-dependent neurochemical changes during short-term inhalation exposure to m-xylene. Arch Toxicol: 45 (2): 117-22 (1980)
References

Boethling RS, Howard PH, Meylan W, Stiteler W, Beauman J, Tirado N. 1994. Group contribution method for predicting probability and rate of aerobic biodegradation. Environ. Sci. Technol. 28: 459-465.

Bonn Agreement, 1994. European Classification System, Bonn Agreement: Counter-Pollution Manual. Bonn Agreement, London (Chapter 25).

GESAMP (IMO/FAO/UNESCO-IOC/WMO/WHO/IAEA/UN/UNEP Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection), 2014. Revised GESAMP Hazard Evaluation Procedure for Chemical Substances Carried by Ships, 2nd edition. Rep. Stud. GESAMP No. 64, 126 pp.

GESAMP Composite List, 2016. ANNEX 5 – UPDATED GESAMP COMPOSITE LIST. Available at: https://edocs.imo.org/Final Documents/English/PPR 1-CIRC.3 (E).docx (Accessed: December 12, 2016).

Harold PD, Souza AS, Louchart P, Russell D, Brunt H, 2014. Development of a risk based prioritisation methodology to inform public health emergency planning and preparedness in case of accidental spill at sea of hazardous and noxious substances (HNS). Environ. Int. 72: 157-163.