Metsulfuron	Last updated: 22/02/2021
(Also known as: metsu 453)

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Description	A herbicide used to control weeds mainly in cereals and land temporarily removed from production, used as the methyl variant. It is also be a pesticide transformation product.
Example pests controlled	Some annual grasses; Broad-leaved weeds
Example applications	Cereals; Land removed from production
Efficacy & activity	-
Availability status	Current
Introduction & key dates	1984

UK regulatory status

UK COPR regulatory status	Approved
Date COPR inclusion expires	31/03/2026
UK LERAP status	Buffer probably required in UK - see product label

EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)

EC Regulation 1107/2009 status	Approved
Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur	Slovenia/Sweden
Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires	31/03/2023
EU Candidate for substitution (CfS)	Yes - two 'Persistent-Bioaccumulative-Toxic' criteria
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	-
Chemical formula	C₁₃H₁₃N₅O₆S
Canonical SMILES	CC1=NC(=NC(=N1)OC)NC(=O)NS(=O)(=O)C2=CC=CC=C2C(=O)O
Isomeric SMILES	No data
International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)	UWHURBUBIHUHSU-UHFFFAOYSA-N
International Chemical Identifier (InChI)	InChI=1S/C13H13N5O6S/c1-7-14-11(17-13(15-7)24-2)16-12(21)18-25(22,23)9-6-4-3-5-8(9)10(19)20/h3-6H,1-2H3,(H,19,20)(H2,14,15,16,17,18,21)
2D structure diagram/image available?	Yes

General status

Pesticide type	Herbicide, Metabolite
Metabolite Type	Soil
Substance group	Sulfonylurea
Minimum active substance purity	-
Known relevant impurities	-
Substance origin	Synthetic
Mode of action	Selective, systemic with contact and residual action. Inhibits plant amino acid synthesis - acetohydroxyacid synthase AHAS
CAS RN	79510-48-8
EC number	-
CIPAC number	441
US EPA chemical code	-
PubChem CID	91730
Molecular mass	367.34
PIN (Preferred Identification Name)	2-{[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)carbamoyl]sulfamoyl}benzoic acid
IUPAC name	2-(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-ylcarbamoylsulfamoyl)benzoic acid
CAS name	2-[[[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]benzoic acid
Other status information	-
Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards	-
Herbicide Resistance Classification (HRAC)	B
Herbicide Resistance Classification (WSSA)	2
Insecticide Resistance Classification (IRAC)	Not applicable
Fungicide Resistance Classification (FRAC)	Not applicable
Examples of recorded resistance	-
Physical state	White solid
Related substances & organisms	metsulfuron-methyl

Can be a metabolite of:

Parent	Formation medium	Estimated maximum occurrence fraction	1107/2009 relevancy
metsulfuron-methyl	Soil	-	-

Formulations

Property	Value
Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically	-
Example products using this active	-
Formulation and application details	Normally used as the methyl variant.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property		Value	Source; quality score; and other information	Interpretation
Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)		172	V3 V = ChemID online databases / IPCS INCHEM (ChemID; IPCS INCHEM ) 3 = Unverified data of known source at 25 °C	Moderate
Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)		-	-	-
Melting point (°C)		-	-	-
Boiling point (°C)		-	-	-
Degradation point (°C)		-	-	-
Flashpoint (°C)		-	-	-
Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C	P	5.01 X 1001	Calculated	-
	Log P	1.7	V3 V = ChemID online databases / IPCS INCHEM (ChemID; IPCS INCHEM ) 3 = Unverified data of known source	Low
Bulk density (g ml⁻¹)		-	-	-
Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C		-	-	-
		-
Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)		3.99 X 10-08	V3 V = ChemID online databases / IPCS INCHEM (ChemID; IPCS INCHEM ) 3 = Unverified data of known source at 25 °C	Low volatility
Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)		2.38 X 10-11	V3 V = ChemID online databases / IPCS INCHEM (ChemID; IPCS INCHEM ) 3 = Unverified data of known source at 25 °C	Non-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)	-	-	-
	DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)	-	-	-
	DT₅₀ (field)	-	-	-
	DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)	-	-	-
	DT₉₀ (field)	-	-	-
	DT₅₀ modelling endpoint	-	-	-
	Note	-
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	-	-	-
	Note	-
Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7	Value	-	-	-
	Note	-
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		-	-	-
Potential for loss via drain flow		-	-	-

Key metabolites

Metabolite	Formation medium	Estimated maximum occurrence fraction	1107/2009 relevancy
methyl 2-(aminosulfonyl)benzoate (Ref: IN-D5803)	Soil	0.170	Major fraction; Relevant
2-(aminosulfonyl) benzoic acid (Ref: IN-D5119)	Soil	0.100	Major fraction; Relevant
phenylurea (Ref: IN-B5685)	Soil	0.170	Major fraction; Relevant
1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one,1,1-dioxide (Ref: IN-00581)	Soil	0.470	Major fraction; Relevant
2-amino-4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazine (Ref: IN-A4098)	Soil	0.330	Major fraction; Relevant

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Property		Value	Source; quality score; and other information	Interpretation
Bio-concentration factor	BCF (l kg⁻¹)	Low risk	Q3 Q = Miscellaneous internet resources 3 = Unverified data of known source Based on LogP < 3	Low risk
	CT₅₀ (days)	-		-
Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)		> 5000	V3 V = ChemID online databases / IPCS INCHEM (ChemID; IPCS INCHEM ) 3 = Unverified data of known source 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)		> 5000	V3 V = ChemID online databases / IPCS INCHEM (ChemID; IPCS INCHEM ) 3 = Unverified data of known source Anas platyrhynchos	Low
Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)		-	-	-
Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)		-	-	-
Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)		> 150	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 as methyl variant	Low
Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)		-	-	-
Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)		150	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 Daphnia magna as methyl variant	Low
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)		-	-	-
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)	> 25	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 as the methyl variant	Moderate
	Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)	> 44.3	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 as the methyl variant	Moderate
	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)		> 1000	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 Eisenia foetida as methyl variant	Low
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)		> 5000	V3 V = ChemID online databases / IPCS INCHEM (ChemID; IPCS INCHEM ) 3 = Unverified data of known source Rat	Low
Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)		2000	V3 V = ChemID online databases / IPCS INCHEM (ChemID; IPCS INCHEM ) 3 = Unverified data of known source Rat	-
Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)		-	-	-
Other Mammal toxicity endpoints		-	-	-
ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)		0.22	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)		0.7	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	-
	Occupational	-
MRLs	European	EU MRL pesticide database
	Notes	-
Drinking Water Standards		-	-	-
Drinking Water MAC (μg l⁻¹)		-	-	-

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 No data found Reproduction / development effects Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor Neurotoxicant XNo, known not to cause a problem XNo, known not to cause a problem XNo, known not to cause a problem 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		No further information available

Handling issues

Property	Value and interpretation
General	No information available
CLP classification 2013	Environment: H400, H410
EC Risk Classification	N - Dangerous for the environment: R50, R53
EC Safety Classification	S60, S61
WHO Classification	NL (Not listed)
UN Number	-
Waste disposal & packaging	-

TRANSLATIONS

Language	Name
English	metsulfuron
French	-
German	-
Danish	-
Italian	-
Spanish	-
Greek	-
Polish	-
Swedish	-
Hungarian	-
Dutch	-

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Record last updated:	22/02/2021
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