(Also known as: tetrachlorocarbon; methane tetrachloride; tetrachloromethane; carbon chloride)
SUMMARY
Carbon tetrachloride was once widely used a a grain and animal feed fumigant for post-harvest insect control. It is now largely obsolete. It is highly soluble in water and a volatile organic compound. It is not expected to be persistent in soil systems but may be in water/sediment systems depending on local conditions. It is mo expected to leach to groundwaters. It is moderately toxic to most biodiversity. Carbon tetrachloride has a low mammalian oral toxicity, is considered to be carcinogenic, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and a neurotoxin.
Data alerts
The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement.
Environmental fate
Ecotoxicity
Human health
Environmental fate Moderate alert: Drainflow: Moderately mobile
Warning: Significant data are missing
Ecotoxicity Moderate alert: Fish acute ecotoxicity: Moderate; Fish chronic ecotoxicity: Moderate; Daphnia acute ecotoxicity: Moderate; Earthworms acute ecotoxicity: Moderate
Human health High alert: Carcinogen; Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor; Neurotoxicant
GENERAL INFORMATION
Description
Once used widely as a grain and animal feed fumigant for post-harvest storage either alone or mixed with other substances. Also added to some formulations to aid distribution and to act as a fire suppressant.
Example pests controlled
Grain and livestock feed insects
Example applications
Post-harvest grains and livestock feeds
Efficacy & activity
-
Availability status
Current
Introduction & key dates
1908
UK regulatory status
UK COPR regulatory status
Not approved
Date COPR inclusion expires
Not applicable
UK LERAP status
No UK approval for use
EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)
EC Regulation 1107/2009 status
Not approved
Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur
Not applicable
Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires
Not applicable
EU Candidate for substitution (CfS)
Not applicable
Listed in EU database
No
Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 in the following EU Member States
EU Directive 2008/105/EC EQS surface waters: annual average12 µg l⁻¹ UK statutory standard for protection of aquatic life in inland, coastal and territorial surface waters: annual average12 µg l⁻¹ Other standards exist
Herbicide Resistance Classification (HRAC)
Not applicable
Herbicide Resistance Classification (WSSA)
Not applicable
Insecticide Resistance Classification (IRAC)
2A
Fungicide Resistance Classification (FRAC)
Not applicable
Examples of recorded resistance
-
Physical state
Clear, colourless, volatile liquid
Formulations
Property
Value
Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically
Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242