Copper sulphate |
![]() Last updated: 12/01/2021 |
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(Also known as: tribasic copper sulphate; Component of Bordeaux mixture; tetracopper, hexahydroxide sulphate semi hydrate) |
SUMMARY |
A widely used copper fungicide that is approved for use in many countries including at EU level. It has a low aqueous solubility and a low volatility. As a heavy metal, copper itself will not degrade in the environment. It is moderately toxic to mammals and most biodiversity. |
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A protectant foliar fungicide often used in aquatic situations to control algae | |
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Algae; Pond weeds in potable water | |
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Aquatic situations including ditches, drainage channels, streams, rivers | |
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Copper based products have been shown to be affective against many fungal pathogens in field trials. | |
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Current | |
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First used circa 1700s, first registered USA 1956 |
UK regulatory status |
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Not approved | ||
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Not applicable | ||
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Not applicable |
EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414) |
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Approved | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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France/Germany | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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31/12/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Yes - two 'Persistent-Bioaccumulative-Toxic' criteria | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Also used in |
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Chemical structure |
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None | |
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[O-]S(=O)(=O)[O-].[Cu+2] | |
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No data | |
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ARUVKPQLZAKDPS-UHFFFAOYSA-L | |
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InChI=1S/Cu.H2O4S/c;1-5(2,3)4/h;(H2,1,2,3,4)/q+2;/p-2/fCu.O4S/qm;-2 | |
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Yes |
General status |
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Fungicide, Algicide, Bactericide | |
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Inorganic compound | |
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>490 g kg⁻¹ total copper | |
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EU 2016 dossier: May contain heavy metals including Pb, Cd, As, Ni, CO, Sb & Hg | |
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Synthetic | |
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Foliar absorption, prevents spore germination. Multi-site activity. | |
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12527-76-3 | |
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1333-22-8 | |
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231-847-6 | |
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44.306 | |
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24462 | |
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copper II sulphate pentahydrate | |
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tribasic copper sulphate pentahydate | |
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Severe Marine Pollutant | |
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Not applicable | |
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Not applicable | |
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Not applicable | |
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M1/2 | |
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Blue-green powder |
Formulations |
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Supplied in a variety of formulations including soluble crystals, wettable powders and flowable suspensions. |
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3.42 | 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 |
Low | ||||||||
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1.0 | 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 ) Heptane5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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1.0 | 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 ) p-Xylene5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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1.0 | 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 ) Acetone5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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1.0 | 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 ) n-Octanol5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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360 | 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 |
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Decomposes before boiling | 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 |
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360 | 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 |
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Not expected to self ignite; Not highly flammable | 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 |
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2.75 X 1000 | Calculated | - | |||||||
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0.44 | 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 |
Low | ||||||||
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2.29 | L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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Not applicable | 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 |
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No dissociation | |||||||||||
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3.40 X 10-10 | V3 V = ChemID online databases / IPCS INCHEM (ChemID; IPCS INCHEM ) at 25 °C3 = Unverified data of known source |
Low volatility | ||||||||
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72.2 | 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 |
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Degradation |
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Not biodegradable | ||||||||||
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10000 | 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 |
Very persistent | |||||||
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1600 | F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment ) 3 = Unverified data of known source |
Very persistent | ||||||||
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EU 2018 dossier: No degradation expected | ||||||||||
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Stable | 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 |
Stable | |||||||
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Stable | 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 |
Stable | |||||||
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Soil adsorption and mobility |
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- | F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment ) 3 = Unverified data of known source |
Non-mobile | |||||||
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9500 | ||||||||||
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Other data source: Koc 1000-18000 mL g⁻¹ (US3) | ||||||||||
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Fate indices |
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0.07 | Calculated | Low leachability | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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5.65 X 10-03 | Calculated | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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High | Calculated | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Non-mobile | Calculated | - |
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Low risk | 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 ) Based on LogP < 35 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
Low risk | |||||||
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> 300 | 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 ) Rat5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
Moderate | ||||||||
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> 72.4 | 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 ) Colinus virginianus5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
High | ||||||||
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13.2 | 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 ) Oncorhynchus mykiss5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
Moderate | ||||||||
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0.97 | 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 ) Oncorhynchus mykiss4 = Verified data |
Moderate | ||||||||
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2.3 | L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources Daphnia magna3 = Unverified data of known source |
Moderate | ||||||||
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0.057 | 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 ) Daphnia magna4 = Verified data |
Moderate | ||||||||
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0.5 | 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 ) Chironomus riparius5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
Moderate | ||||||||
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0.145 | F2 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment ) Lemna minor 7 day2 = Unverified data of unknown source |
Moderate | ||||||||
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12.3 | 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 ) Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata4 = Verified data |
Low | ||||||||
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> 23.5 | 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 ) Apis mellifera5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
Moderate | |||||||
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40.0 | 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 ) Apis mellifera5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
Moderate | ||||||||
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> 155 | 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 ) Eisenia foetida5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
Moderate | ||||||||
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< 15 | 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 ) Eisenia foetida as Cu 56 days5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
Moderate | ||||||||
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134 | As Cu, Parasitisation 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 ) Aphidius rhopalosiphi5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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80 | As Cu, Mortality 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 ) Typhlodromus pyri5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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Nitrogen mineralisation: No significant adverse effect Carbon mineralisation: No significant adverse effect |
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 Dose: 11.6 kg Cu/ha; 28 days |
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General |
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High (class III) | - | - | ||||||||
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> 300 | 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 ) Rat5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
Moderate | ||||||||
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2000 | 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 ) Rat5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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1.48 | L2 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources Rat (as mg kg⁻¹)2 = Unverified data of unknown source |
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0.15 | 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 ) Dog SF=1005 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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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 |
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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 |
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0.072 | 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 |
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1-9 | 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 ) concentration dependent5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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List II | - | - | ||||||||
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Negligible risk to bystanders for proposed uses | |||||||||
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Acceptable risk to operators and workers for proposed uses with PPE/PPC | ||||||||||
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Statutory EU standard for total copper in drinking water: 2 mg l⁻¹; Non-statutory WHO guideline for total copper in drinking water: 2 mg l⁻¹ | B5 B = UK CRD and ACP evaluation documents / and other Defra (UK) documents (click here ) UK EA QS database 20185 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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2000 | 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 ) EU Dir 89/778/EC limit as Cu5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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Health issues |
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Potential heavy metal poisoning May cause nausea Mutagenic potential at high doses |
Handling issues |
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Prevent generation of dust Not explosive or oxidising |
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Health: H302 | |||
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Xn - Harmful: R22 Xi - Irritant: R36, R38 N - Dangerous for the environment: R50-53 |
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II (Moderately hazardous) | |||
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copper sulphate | ||
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cuivre de sulfate tribasique de cuivre | ||
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Kupfersulfat | ||
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kobbersulfat (blåsten) | ||
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solfato di rame | ||
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sulfato de cobre | ||
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siarczan miedzi (II) | ||
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koppar(II)sulfat | ||
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rézszulfat | ||
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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 |