GULFTENE C16-18 ISOMERISED OLEFINS - NICNAS

An extensive series of ecotoxicology tests have established that chemicals, which are close
congeners of Gulftene 16-18, are generally non-toxic to both fresh water and marine
organisms. However, some toxic effects have been observed when certain organisms are
exposed to very high concentrations of the chemicals. These effects may be physical in
origin. The drill cuttings may contain up to 10% of Gulftene 16-18, and it is conceivable that
toxic levels could be exceeded in piles of drill wastes, or in the vicinity of these piles.
When used as a component of drilling mud on off shore drilling, the available data indicates
that Gulftene 16-18 may present a hazard to the marine environment when it is discarded with
waste drill cuttings. In particular, there are uncertainties surrounding issues of
biodegradation, bioaccumulation and ecotoxicity at the likely high exposure levels. Further,
it is to be noted that the physical, chemical and biological processes occurring in deposits of
marine drill cuttings are not well understood, and it is only recently that appropriate
techniques for examination of the spoil piles have been developed (Black 1999).
Consequently, while the present environmental hazard assessment has been based on all
presently available data, it is possible that future studies may indicate other factors which
should be considered in evaluating the environmental hazard of discarded organic based
drilling fluids.
12. ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
EFFECTS
Toxicological data were not available on the notified chemical, Gulftene 16-18. However,
the notifier submitted studies that had been conducted on a range of analogous alkenes (C12,
C14, C16 & C18 alpha olefins; a blend of C12-C16 alpha olefins; C16 & C18 internal
alkenes; and C20-C24 branched and linear alkenes).
Analogue alkenes have very low acute oral, dermal and inhalation toxicity. They are slight
eye irritants, but not sensitising to skin. Kinematic viscosity measurements, including that for
Gulftene 16-18, and investigations of aspiration potential in rats on a range of alkenes
indicates that these alkenes present as an aspiration hazard.
In acute skin irritation tests, analogue alkenes (except C20-C24 branched and linear alkenes)
caused prolonged slight or slight to moderate skin irritation associated with desquamation.
Repeat dermal application of C12-C16, C16-C18, or C16 caused severe skin irritation.
Repeated oral dose studies show that C20-24 alkenes branched and linear at high doses target
the liver and adrenals. 1-Tetradecene at high doses also targets the liver and in male rats the
kidney (hydrocarbon nephropathy – not relevant to human health). These alkenes are not
neurotoxic, do not produce adverse effects on reproduction or foetal development and are not
genotoxic.
Assessment of the toxicological data of the alkene analogues against the NOHSC Approved
Criteria for Classifying Hazardous Substances, indicate that Gulftene 16-18 would be
considered hazardous based on potential aspiration hazard and skin drying effects. The
overall hazard classification is Harmful (Xn) and the following risk phrase and safety phrases
relevant to health effects:
FULL PUBLIC REPORT 26 April 2000
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