Ecotoxicology

Synthetic amorphous silica is an inorganic water insoluble substance. For this reason its bioavailability is very low for aquatic organisms. In acute tests according to OECD test guidelines with fish and daphnia nominal concentrations of 1,000 and 10,000 mg/l respectively showed no effects.

Based on the physical-chemical and acute toxicological data no chronic effects and no bioaccumulation are expected in aquatic organisms. The general guidelines for the examination of the biodegradability of substances (OECD-, EEC-guidelines) can be used only for organic substances. Synthetic amorphous silica is an inert inorganic substance and will not biodegraded by microorganisms.

The German commission for the evaluation of water polluting substances has classified synthetic amorphous silica as a not water endangering substance (KBwS-No: 849). Silica is also included in the OSPAR List of Substances/Preparations Used and Discharged Offshore which Are Considered to Pose Little or No Risk to the Environment (PLONOR).