Calcium carbide	Last updated: 12/01/2021
(Also known as: calcium acetylide; carburo calcico )

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Description	Gas generating compound used, in combination with calcium phosphide, as a repellent aganst small mammals in a wide variety of situations.
Example pests controlled	-
Example applications	-
Efficacy & activity	-
Availability status	Current
Introduction & key dates	-

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	Approved
Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur	Estonia/Czech Republic
Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires	31/08/2022
EU Candidate for substitution (CfS)	No
Listed in EU database	Yes
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

Also used in	-

Chemical structure

Isomerism	None
Chemical formula	CaC₂
Canonical SMILES	[C-]#[C-].[Ca+2]
Isomeric SMILES	-
International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)	UIXRSLJINYRGFQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
International Chemical Identifier (InChI)	InChI=1S/C2.Ca/c1-2;/q-2;+2
2D structure diagram/image available?	Yes

General status

Pesticide type	Mammal repellent
Substance group	Inorganic compound
Minimum active substance purity	765-810 g kg⁻¹
Known relevant impurities	EU dossier - Calcium phosphide 0.08-0.52 g/Kg
Substance origin	Synthetic
Mode of action	Action arised from the garlic like odour of phosphine generated when product comes in contact with moisture
CAS RN	75-20-7
EC number	200-848-3
CIPAC number	910
US EPA chemical code	-
PubChem CID	95697
Molecular mass	64.10
Chemical name	calcium carbide
PIN (Preferred Identification Name)	-
IUPAC name	calcium carbide
CAS name	-
Other status information	-
Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards	-
Herbicide Resistance Classification (HRAC)	Not applicable
Herbicide Resistance Classification (WSSA)	Not applicable
Insecticide Resistance Classification (IRAC)	Not applicable
Fungicide Resistance Classification (FRAC)	Not applicable
Examples of recorded resistance	-
Physical state	Crystalline solid of various colours including white, drey, reddish brown and black depending upon purity
Related substances & organisms	calcium phosphide

Formulations

Property	Value
Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically	Prontox-Vole Gas
Example products using this active	Chemesche Fabrik Wulfel GmbH Shell
Formulation and application details	Often formulated as solid gas generating products, that release moisture when in contact with soil moisture

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property		Value	Source; quality score; and other information	Interpretation
Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)		-	A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes Reacts with water to form acetylene	-
Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)		-	-	-
Melting point (°C)		1845	A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes	-
Boiling point (°C)		2300	L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source	-
Degradation point (°C)		-	-	-
Flashpoint (°C)		-	-	-
Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C	P	-	-	-
	Log P	-	-	-
Bulk density (g ml⁻¹)		-	-	-
Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C		Not applicable	A3 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 3 = Unverified data of known source	-
		-
Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)		-	A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes Non-volatile	-
Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)		1.0	A3 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 3 = Unverified data of known source Non-volatile	Moderately 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)	0.01	A2 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 2 = Unverified data of unknown source	Non-persistent
	DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)	-	-	-
	DT₅₀ (field)	-	-	-
	DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)	-	-	-
	DT₉₀ (field)	-	-	-
	DT₅₀ modelling endpoint	-	-	-
	Note	Rapid decomposition to calcium hydroxide and aceteylene caused by soil moisture
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	-	A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes	-
	Note	Rapid decomposition in water to calcium hydroxide and aceteylene
Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7	Value	-	A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes	-
	Note	Rapid decomposition in water to calcium hydroxide and aceteylene
Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)		-	-	-
Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)		-	-	-

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property		Value	Source; quality score; and other information	Interpretation
Linear	Kd	-	-	-
	Koc	-
	Notes and range	-
Freundlich	Kf	-	-	-
	Kfoc	-
	1/n	-
	Notes and range	-
pH sensitivity		-

Fate indices

Property		Value	Source; quality score; and other information	Interpretation
GUS leaching potential index		-	-	-
SCI-GROW groundwater index (μg l⁻¹) for a 1 kg ha⁻¹ or 1 l ha⁻¹ application rate	Value	Cannot be calculated	-	-
	Note	-
Potential for particle bound transport index		Low	Calculated	-
Potential for loss via drain flow			Calculated	-

Key metabolites

Metabolite	Formation medium	Estimated maximum occurrence fraction	1107/2009 relevancy
calcium hydroxide	Soil	-	Not relevant

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Property		Value	Source; quality score; and other information	Interpretation
Bio-concentration factor	BCF (l kg⁻¹)	-	-	-
	CT₅₀ (days)	-		-
Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)		-	-	-
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)		> 50	A4 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 4 = Verified data Oncorhynchus mykiss	Moderate
Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)		-	-	-
Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)		4.62	A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes 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)		12.4	A4 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 4 = Verified data Scenedesmus subspicatus Biomass	Low
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)		-	-	-
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	-	-	-
	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)		-	-	-
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)		None allocated	A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes	-
ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)		None allocated	A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes	-
AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)		-	-	-
AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)		None allocated	A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes	-
Dermal penetration studies (%)		-	-	-
Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464		-	-	-
Exposure Routes	Public	Negligible risk to bystanders from the proposed pattern of use
	Occupational	Negligible risk to operators from the propsed pattern of use but PPE/PPC advised
European MRLs		EU MRL pesticide database
Drinking Water Standards		-	-	-
Drinking Water MAC (μg l⁻¹)		None allocated	A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes	-

Health issues

Specific human health issues		Carcinogen Genotoxic Endocrine disruptor XNo, known not to cause a problem A0 A = Chromosome aberration (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; B0 B = DNA damage/repair (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; C0 C = Gene mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; D0 D = Genome mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; E0 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source) 0 = No data XNo, known not to cause a problem Reproduction / development effects Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor Neurotoxicant No data found XNo, known not to cause a problem No data found Respiratory tract irritant Skin irritant Skin sensitiser ✓Yes, known to cause a problem ✓Yes, known to cause a problem No data found Eye irritant Phototoxicant   ✓Yes, known to cause a problem No data found
General human health issues		May cause dermatitis

Handling issues

Property	Value and interpretation
General	Corrosive Highly flammable Avoid generation of dusts Highly flammable acetylene gas is formed on contact with water IMDG Transport Code is usually 4.3
CLP classification 2013	Handling: H260
EC Risk Classification	H - Handling risks: R15
EC Safety Classification	S2, S8, S43
WHO Classification	NL (Not listed)
UN Number	Usually 1402
Waste disposal & packaging	Packaging Group II (medium danger)

TRANSLATIONS

Language	Name
English	calcium carbide
French	carbure de calcium
German	Kalziumkarbid
Danish	-
Italian	carburo di calcio
Spanish	carburo calcico
Greek	-
Polish	-
Swedish	-
Hungarian	-
Dutch	-

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Record last updated:	12/01/2021
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