Effects of chemicals microorganisms

Staples et al. (1997) reviewed and summarized the database of acute and chronic aquatic toxicity data for 18 phthalate esters for freshwater and saltwater aquatic microorganisms and algae as well as freshwater and saltwater invertebrates and fish. Phthalate esters are commonly used in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and are found in plastic tubing, floor tiles, automobile upholstery, etc. The results of most studies indicate that acute and chronic toxicity to microorganisms, algae, aquatic invertebrates, and fish are limited to the lower molecular weight phthalate esters (i.e., dimethylphthalate, diethylphthalate, diallylphthalate, dipropylphthalate, dibutylphthalate, diisobutylphthalate, and butylbenzylphthalate). In contrast, higher molecular weight phthalate esters are not acutely or chronically toxic to aquatic organisms. Altogether, nearly 400 test results covering more than 60 species of microorganisms, algae, invertebrates, and fish are reported for both freshwater and saltwater aquatic species.