SIST EN ISO 15088:2009 PDF

Overview

EN ISO 15088:2008 (ISO 15088:2007) specifies a standardized bioassay for assessing the acute toxicity of waste water to zebrafish eggs (Danio rerio). The method measures toxic effect after 48 h exposure and is applicable to raw, treated municipal waste water and industrial effluents. The test uses fertilized zebrafish eggs in a dilution series to determine the Lowest Ineffective Dilution (LID) or dose–response endpoints (e.g., EC50/LC50) expressed as percentages of waste water.

Keywords: EN ISO 15088:2008, ISO 15088:2007, water quality, acute toxicity, zebrafish eggs, Danio rerio, waste water testing.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Test organism and material: Fertilized eggs of Danio rerio (transparent, ~1 mm diameter), easy to maintain year‑round; embryonic development is well described.
• Test design: Dilution series of waste water in standard dilution water; exposure in single-use polystyrene microplates (24 wells), 2.5–5 ml per well.
• Duration and conditions: 48-hour exposure at 26 °C ± 1 °C with controlled illumination and aerated dilution water (100% O2 saturation before use).
• Endpoints: Determination of LID (dilution level with ≤10% affected eggs) and optionally EC50/LC50 values; evaluation of embryo mortality and defined developmental disturbances leading to death.
• Quality controls: Positive control using 3,4-dichloroaniline (3.7 mg/L) with 10 eggs; validity criteria and reproducibility requirements specified.
• Interferences: Guidance for coloured or turbid waste water (pre-differentiation, transfer procedures) to avoid misinterpretation.
• Apparatus & reagents: Inverse microscope (≥30×), pH and dissolved oxygen measurement (ISO 5814), standard dilution water composition per ISO 7346 series.

Practical applications and users

Who uses EN ISO 15088:2008:

• Environmental laboratories performing regulatory compliance and effluent monitoring
• Municipal wastewater treatment operators assessing final effluent toxicity
• Industrial environmental testing for discharge characterization
• Research labs studying developmental toxicity in aquatic organisms

Practical value:

• Replaces or supplements acute fish toxicity tests when egg-stage assays are preferred
• Rapid screening tool (48 h) for acute effects of complex effluents
• Facilitates dose–response determination and routine monitoring with standardized reproducibility

Related standards

• ISO 7346-1, ISO 7346-2 - acute fish toxicity methods and standard dilution water
• ISO 5667-16 - guidance on sampling for biotesting
• ISO 5814 - dissolved oxygen measurement
• OECD Guidelines (203, 204, 210) - referenced for broader fish testing practices

EN ISO 15088:2008 provides a practical, standardized approach for acute toxicity testing of waste water using zebrafish eggs, enabling consistent monitoring and regulatory reporting of effluent toxicity.