UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460

OFFICE OF 

PREVENTION, PESTICIDES

AND

TOXIC SUBSTANCES

MEMORANDUM

SUBJECT: RED ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS REVIEW AND RISK ASSESSMENT

TO: Killian Swift / Julie Fairfax 

 Regulatory Branch II, PM Team No. - 36 

Antimicrobials Division (7510W)

FROM: Wanda Jakob, Biologist

 Risk Assessment and Science Support Branch, Team 2

 Antimicrobials Division (7510W)

THRU: Najm Shamim, Acting Team Leader

 Risk Assessment and Science Support Branch, Team 2

 Antimicrobials Division (7510W)

Norm Cook, Chief

Risk Assessment and Science Support Branch

 Antimicrobials Division (7510W)

Chemical Name: 1,4-bis(bromoacetoxy)-2-butene (BBAB)

DP Barcode: D251931, D251935 Submission: S553940

PC Codes: 035605 EPA Reg. No.: 1448-353

MRID’s: 432301-01, 431910-01, 432045-01, 432142-01, 432142-02

SUMMARY:

BBAB has an LD50 of 196 mg/kg to avian species on an acute oral basis and is categorized as moderately

toxic. The LC50 for BBAB is >5000 ppm and is categorized as practically nontoxic to avian species on a

subacute dietary basis. BBAB has an LC50 which falls in the range of 0.025-0.057 ppm and is categorized as

very highly toxic to freshwater fish on an acute basis. BBAB is also categorized as highly toxic to aquatic

invertebrates on an acute basis with an EC50 of 0.14 ppm.

A risk assessment will not be conducted on BBAB based on the use patterns, the available data and

chemical characteristics of the chemical. For the uses proposed for reregistration, the Agency is requiring data

to: (a) have baseline toxicity data available in the event of a transportation spill; and (b) adequately label those

products to be reregistered.
Page 2 of 7

Acute toxicity testing with estuarine/marine fish and estuarine/marine invertebrates using the TGAI is required

for BBAB. This data set is a requirement under Part 158, Subpart W and is required for labeling purposes. The

Agency will consider the data as Confirmatory Data.

1. Ecological Toxicity Data

a. Toxicity to Terrestrial Animals

I. Birds, Acute and Subacute

An acute oral toxicity study using the technical grade of the active ingredient (TGAI) is required to

establish the toxicity of 1,4-bis(bromoacetoxy)-2- butene to birds. The preferred test species is either

mallard duck (a waterfowl) or bobwhite quail (an upland gamebird). Results of this test are tabulated

below.

Avian Acute Oral Toxicity

Species % ai LD50(ppm)

Toxicity

Category

MRID No.

Author/Year

Study

Classification

Mallard duck

(Anas

platyrhynchos)

82 196 moderately

toxic

432142-02

Wildlife International,

LTD/1994

Core

1,4-bis(bromoacetoxy)-2-butene has an LD50 of 196 mg/kg and is categorized as moderately toxic to

avian species on an acute oral basis. The guideline (71-1/850.2100) is fulfilled (MRID 432142-01). 

A subacute dietary study using the TGAI of 1,4-bis(bromoacetoxy)-2-butene may be required on a

case-by-case basis depending on the results of lower tier ecological studies and pertinent environmental

characteristics to establish the toxicity to birds. The preferred test species are mallard duck and bobwhite

quail. Results of these tests are tabulated below.
Page 3 of 7

Avian Subacute Dietary Toxicity

Species % ai

5-Day

LC50(ppm)

Toxicity

Category

MRID No.

Author/Year

Study

Classification

Mallard duck

(Anas

platyrhynchos)

82 >5000 practically

nontoxic

432142-02

Wildlife International,

LTD/1994

Core

1,4-bis(bromoacetoxy)-2-butene has an LC50 is >5000 ppm and is categorized as practically

nontoxic to avian species on a subacute dietary basis. The guideline (71-2(b)/850.2200) is fulfilled (MRID

432142-02 ). 

b. Toxicity to Freshwater Aquatic Animals

I. Freshwater Fish, Acute

Two freshwater fish toxicity studies using the TGAI are required to establish the toxicity of 1,4-

bis(bromoacetoxy)-2-butene to fish. However, testing with two species is required for stable chemicals

with uses that typically have some effluent (e.g. including but not limited to, egg washing, fruit and vegetable

rinses, swimming pools, or materials preservatives) and if the LC50 in the first species is greater than (>) 1

ppm. (A stable chemical could pass through a Public Owned Treatment Works (POTW) into nontarget

waters. Therefore, data on another fish species is required to determine whether such a chemical is toxic

to other species of aquatic vertebrates.) The preferred test species are rainbow trout (a coldwater fish)

and bluegill sunfish (a warmwater fish). Results of these tests are tabulated below.

Freshwater Fish Acute Toxicity

Species/

Flow-through % ai

LC50 (ppm) Toxicity

Category

MRID No.

Author/Year

Study

Classification

Rainbow trout

(Oncorhynchus

mykiss)

82 0.025 Very Highly

Toxic

431910-01

Bettencourt, MJ/1994

Core

Bluegill sunfish 

(Lepomis

macrochirus)

82 0.057 Very Highly

Toxic

432301-01

Bettencourt, MJ/1994

Core
Page 4 of 7

1,4-bis(bromoacetoxy)-2-butene has an LC50 which falls in the range of 0.025-0.057 ppm, and is

categorized as very highly toxic to freshwater fish on an acute basis. The guideline (72-1/850.1750)

is fulfilled (MRID#’s 431910-01, 432301-01).

II. Freshwater Invertebrates, Acute

A freshwater aquatic invertebrate toxicity test using the TGAI is required to establish the toxicity of

1,4-bis(bromoacetoxy)-2-butene to aquatic invertebrates. The preferred test species is Daphnia magna. 

Results of this test are tabulated below.

Freshwater Invertebrate Acute Toxicity

Species % ai EC50 (ppm) Toxicity Category

MRID No.

Author/Year

Study

Classification

Waterflea

(Daphnia

magna)

 82 0.14 Highly Toxic 432045-01

Putt, AE/1994

Core

 

1,4-bis(bromoacetoxy)-2-butene is categorized as highly toxic to aquatic invertebrates on an acute

basis with an EC50 of 0.14 ppm. The guideline (72-2/850.1010) is fulfilled (MRID 432045-01). 

c. Toxicity to Estuarine and Marine Animals

I. Estuarine/Marine Fish and Invertebrates, Acute

Acute toxicity testing with estuarine/marine animals using the TGAI is required for 1,4-

bis(bromoacetoxy)-2-butene when products are used in operations (e.g., oil/gas operations) that are

located in or near estuarine/marine environments. The preferred test species is sheepshead minnow. 

Results of these tests are tabulated below.

The guideline (72-3a/850.1025, 850.1035, 850.1045, 850.1055, 850.1075) is not fulfilled. These

studies are required for reregistration.

2. Exposure and Risk Assessment

Risk assessment integrates the results of the exposure and ecotoxicity data to evaluate the likelihood of

adverse ecological effects. A risk assessment will not be conducted on 1,4-bis(bromoacetoxy)-2-butene

based on the use patterns, the available data and chemical characteristics of the chemical. For the uses

proposed for reregistration, the Agency is requiring data to: (a) have baseline toxicity data available in the

event of a transportation spill; and (b) adequately label those products to be reregistred.
Page 5 of 7

3. Endangered Species

For the uses proposed for reregistration, the Agency has not conducted an environmental risk

assessment and has not calculated endangered species LOC’s. However, the Endangered Species

Protection Program is expected to become final in the future and at that time the Agency will determine if it

impacts chemicals such as 1,4-bis(bromoacetoxy)-2-butene.

4. Value of Information

Acute toxicity testing with estuarine/marine fish using the TGAI is required for 1,4-bis

(bromoacetoxy)-2-2 butene. This data set is a requirement under Part 158, Subpart W and is required for

labeling purposes. The Agency will consider the data as Confirmatory Data. 
Page 6 of 7

 Data Requirements For 1,4-Bis(Bromoacetoxy)-2-Butene

Data Requirements Compositio

n

Does EPA Have

Data To Satisfy

This

Requirement? 

MRID 

Must Additional Data

Be Submitted Under

FIFRA3(c)(2)(B)?

71-1(a)/850.2100 Acute Avian Oral, Quail/Mallard TGAI Yes 432142-01 No

71-2(a)/850.2200 Acute Avian Diet, Quail/Mallard TGAI Yes 432142-02 No

71-4/850.2300 Avian Reproduction (Preferably Mallard and/or

Quail)

TGAI No No

72-1(a)/850.1750 Acute Fish Toxicity, Rainbow Trout TGAI Yes 431910-01 No

72-1(a)/850.1750 Acute Fish Toxicity, Rainbow Trout TEP No No

72-1(a)/850.1750 Acute Fish Toxicity, Bluegill TGAI Yes 432301-01 No

72-1(a)/850.1750 Acute Fish Toxicity, Bluegill TEP No No

72-2/850.1010 Acute EC50 Freshwater Invertebrate Toxicity,

(Daphnia)

TGAI Yes 432045-01 No

72-3/850.1025; 850.1035; 850.1045;850.1055; 850.1075

Acute Estuarine/Marine Organisms Toxicity TGAI No

 

Yes*

72-3/850.1025; 850.1035; 850.1045;850.1055; 850.1075

Acute Estuarine/Marine Organisms Toxicity TEP No

 

No

72-4(a)/850.1300 Fish Early Life Stage TGAI No No

72-4(b)/850.1400 Aquatic Invertebrate Life Cycle (Daphnia) TGAI No No

72-5/850.1500 Fish Life Cycle TGAI No No

72-6/850.1710; 850.1730; 850.1850 Aquatic Organism

Bioavailability/Biomagnification/Toxicity Tests TGAI No No

72-7/850.1950 Simulated or Actual Field Testing for Aquatic

Organisms

TGAI No No

73-1/850.1735 Whole Sediment, Acute Freshwater

Invertebrates

TGAI No No

73-2/850.1740 Whole Sediment, Acute Marine Invertebrates TGAI No No

73-3/???? Acute Pore Water, Fish and Invertebrates TGAI No No

74-1/???? Whole Sediment, Chronic Invertebrates TGAI No No

123-1/850.4225 Seedling Emergence, Dose Response TEP No No

123-1/850.4250 Vegetative Vigor, Dose Response TEP No No

123-2/840.4400; 840.5400 Aquatic Plant Growth, Algal and

Aquatic Plant Toxicity (Tier II) TEP No

 

No

*The data are a requirement under Part 158, Subpart W and are required for labeling purposes. This data set will be

considered as Confirmatory Data. 
Page 7 of 7

Referenced Citations

Bettencourt, Michael J. 1994. BBAB - Acute Toxicity to Bluegill Sunfish, (Lepomis Macrochirus)

Under Flow-through Conditions. Guideline 72-1(a). SLI Study #995.1193.6172.105. Submitted by

Springborn Laboratories, to Buckman Laboratories International. MRID# 432301-01

Bettencourt, Michael J. 1994. BBAB - Acute Toxicity to Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Under Flow-through Conditions. Guideline 72-1(c). SLI Study #995.1193.6173.108. Submitted by

Springborn Laboratories, to Buckman Laboratories International. 

MRID# 431910-01

Putt, Arthur E. 1994. BBAB - Acute Toxicity to Daphnids (Daphnia magna) Under Flow-through

Conditions. Guideline 72-2. SLI Study #995.1193.6174.115. Submitted by Springborn

Laboratories, to Buckman Laboratories International. MRID# 432045-01 

BBAB: An Acute Oral Toxicity Study with the Mallard. Wildlife International LTD. Project No.: 210-

121. FIFRA Guideline 71-1. 1994. Submitted to Buckman Laboratories International, Inc. MRID# 

432142-01

BBAB: A Dietary LC50 Toxicity Study with the Mallard. Wildlife International LTD. Project No.:

210-120. FIFRA Guideline 71-1. 1994. Submitted to Buckman Laboratories International, Inc. 

MRID# 432142-02