Carbon tetrachloride (Ref: ENT 4705)

Carbon tetrachloride (Ref: ENT 4705)	Last updated: 05/01/2021
(Also known as: tetrachlorocarbon; methane tetrachloride; tetrachloromethane; carbon chloride)

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

Example applications

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

Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 in the following EU Member States

ATAustria	BEBelgium	BGBulgaria	CYCyprus	CZCzech Republic	DEGermany	DKDenmark	EEEstonia	ELGreece

ESSpain	FIFinland	FRFrance	HRCroatia	HUHungary	IEIreland	ITItaly	LTLithuania	LULuxembourg

LVLatvia	MTMalta	NLNetherlands	PLPoland	PTPortugal	RORomania	SESweden	SISlovenia	SKSlovakia

Also used in

Algeria

Chemical structure

Isomerism

None

Chemical formula

CCl₄

Canonical SMILES

C(Cl)(Cl)(Cl)Cl

Isomeric SMILES

No data

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

VZGDMQKNWNREIO-UHFFFAOYSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/CCl4/c2-1(3,4)5

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams

Common Name	Relationship	Link
carbon tetrachloride	-

General status

Pesticide type

Insecticide, Fumigant, Other substance

Other constituent type

Dispersant, Fire suppressant

Substance group

Organochlorine

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

Interferes with transmissions of nerve impulses across axons disrupting primarily the central nervous system

CAS RN

56-23-5

EC number

200-262-8

CIPAC number

642

US EPA chemical code

016501

PubChem CID

5943

Molecular mass

153.8

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

tetrachloromethane

IUPAC name

carbon tetrachloride

CAS name

tetrachloromethane

Other status information

Banned; WFD priority substance; Montreal Protocol agreed phase out; VOC; Marine Pollutant

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

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)

None allocated

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

Dowfume

Example products using this active

Dow AgroSciences
Hoechst
ICI Chemicals

Formulation and application details

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

793

High

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Miscible

Benzene

Miscible

Ethyl ether

Miscible

Chloroform

Miscible

Ethanol

Melting point (°C)

-23

Boiling point (°C)

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

4.37 X 10⁰²

Calculated

Log P

2.64

Low

Bulk density (g ml⁻¹)

1.59

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

1.2 X 10⁰⁷

Highly volatile

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

2786.4

Volatile

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

General biodegradability

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

Non-persistent

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

DT₅₀ modelling endpoint

Note

Dispersion via volatilisation, DT₅₀ 3-7 days via sulfate reduction (CA3)

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ on plant matrix

Value

Note

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ on and in plant matrix

Value

Note

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Stable

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Stable

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d

Moderately mobile

K_oc

110

Notes and range

Log K_oc 2.04

Freundlich

K_f

K_foc

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

1.37

Calculated

Low leachability

SCI-GROW groundwater index (μg l⁻¹) for a 1 kg ha⁻¹ or 1 l ha⁻¹ application rate

Value

4.07 X 10^-03

Calculated

Note

Potential for particle bound transport index

Low

Calculated

Potential for loss via drain flow

Moderately mobile

Calculated

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

(whole body)

Low potential

CT₅₀ (days)

Not available

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

2821

Rat

Low

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

(ppm diet)

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 43

Pimephales promelas

Moderate

Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

3.4

Pimephales promelas 30 day

Moderate

Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 29

Daphnia magna

Moderate

Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic plants - Acute 7 day EC₅₀, biomass (mg l⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Algae - Acute 72 hour EC₅₀, growth (mg l⁻¹)

> 0.217

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Moderate

Algae - Chronic 96 hour NOEC, growth (mg l⁻¹)

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other pollinators (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other pollinators (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 160

Eisenia foetida

Moderate

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)

Other soil macro-organisms

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Other arthropod (1)

LR₅₀ g ha⁻¹

% Effect

Other arthropod (2)

LR₅₀ g ha⁻¹

% Effect

Soil micro-organisms

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

High (class III)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

2821

Rat

Low

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

List I

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

Main risks of exposure are via inhalation

MRLs

European

EU MRL pesticide database

Notes

Drinking Water Standards

UK statutory standard drinking water: 3 µg l⁻¹;

UK EA QS database 2018

Drinking Water MAC (μg l⁻¹)

UK EA QS database 2018

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

No data found

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

Liver and kidney toxicant

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

IMDG Transport Code is normally 6.1

CLP classification 2013

EC Risk Classification

Carcinogen category 3: R40
T - Toxic: R23/24/25, R48/23
N - Dangerous for the environment: R52, R53, R59

EC Safety Classification

S1/2, S23, S36/37, S45, S59, S61

WHO Classification

FM (Fumigant, not classified)

UN Number

2996

Waste disposal & packaging

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

carbon tetrachloride

French

tetrachlorure de carbone

German

Tetrachlormethan

Danish

Italian

tetraclorometano

Spanish

tetracloruro de carbono

Greek

Polish

czterochlorek wegla

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

tetrachloorkoolstof

Record last updated:	05/01/2021
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	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