Daphnia magna, Desmodesmus subspicatus and Lemna minor were used to determine the ecotoxicity of beta-blockers. Propranolol was the most toxic substance, with EC50s of 7.7 mg l-1 in the Daphnia test and 0.73 mg l-1 in the algal test. The toxicity of atenolol and metoprolol in the Daphnia test was