| atrazine (Ref: G 30027) |
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SUMMARY
Atrazine is a herbicide that does not have EU approval for use. It has selective, systemic action with residual and foliar activity. It has a low aqueous solubility, it is volatile and, based on its physico-chemical properties there is some concern that it could leach to groundwater. It is generally not persistent in the field nor in aquatic systems. It is moderately toxic to mammals, is not expected to bioaccumulate and is a skin, eye and respiratory system irritant. Atrazine is moderately toxic to most aquatic life, earthworms and honeybees but presents less of a risk to birds. GENERAL INFORMATION
for atrazine
Description: A triazine herbicide used pre- and post-emergence with restricted permitted uses to control broad-leaved weeds and grasses
Example pests controlled: Morning glory; Barnyard grass; Cocklebur; Lambsquarters; Crabgrass; Pigweed; Buckwheat; Ragweed; Foxtail
Example applications: Corn; Sorghum; Sugarcane; Turf; Asparagus
Availability status: Current
Introduction & key dates: 1957
EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414):
| Status | Not approved |
| Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur | UK |
| Date inclusion expires | Expired |
Approved for use (
) or known to be used (
) in the following European countries:
AT |
BE |
BG |
CY |
CZ |
DE |
DK |
EE |
EL |
ES |
FI |
FR |
HR |
HU |
IE |
IT |
LT |
LU |
LV |
MT |
NL |
PL |
PT |
RO |
SE |
SI |
SK |
UK |
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Also used in: Australia, USA
| Pesticide type | Herbicide | |
| Substance group | Triazine | |
| Minimum active substance purity | - | |
| Known relevant impurities | - | |
| Substance origin | Synthetic | |
| Mode of action | Selective, systemic action with residual and foliar activity. Inhibits photosynthesis (photosystem II). | |
| CAS RN | 1912-24-9 | |
| EC number | 217-617-8 | |
| CIPAC number | 91 | |
| US EPA chemical code | 080803 | |
| Chiral molecule | No | |
| Chemical formula | C8H14ClN5 | |
| SMILES | Clc1nc(nc(n1)NC(C)C)NCC | |
| International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey) | MXWJVTOOROXGIU-UHFFFAOYSA-N | |
| International Chemical Identifier (InChI) | InChI=1S/C8H14ClN5/c1-4-10-7-12-6(9)13-8(14-7)11-5(2)3/h5H,4H2,1-3H3,(H2,10,11,12,13,14) | |
| Structure diagram/image available? | Yes | |
| Molecular mass (g mol-1) | 215.68 | |
| PIN (Preferred Identification Name) | 6-chloro-N2-ethyl-N4-(propan-2-yl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine | |
| IUPAC name | 6-chloro-N2-ethyl-N4-isopropyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine | |
| CAS name | 6-chloro-N-ethyl-N'-(1-methylethyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine | |
| Other status information | OSPAR soc; WFD pps; Potential groundwater contaminant; Chemical subject to PIC regulations | |
| Herbicide Resistance Classification (HRAC) | C1 | |
| Herbicide Resistance Classification (WSSA) | 5 | |
| Insecticide Resistance Classification (IRAC) | Not applicable | |
| Fungicide Resistance Classification (FRAC) | Not applicable | |
| Examples of recorded resistance | Many recorded cases Alopecurus myosuroides Alopecurus myosuroides Amaranthus retroflexus Conyza canadensis Abutilon theophrasti |
|
| Physical state | White crystals | |
| Related substances & organisms | ||
Formulations:
ENVIRONMENTAL FATE
for atrazine
Key metabolites:
| Metabolite | Formation medium | Estimated maximum occurrence fraction | 91/414 relevancy ![]() |
|
6-deisopropyl atrazine (Ref: G-28279) ![]() |
Soil | 0.33 | Major, Relevant | |
deethylatrazine (Ref: G-30033) ![]() |
Soil | 0.21 | Major, Relevant | |
| 2-hydroxyatrazine (Ref: G-34048) | Soil | Non Relevant | ||
Other known metabolites:
| Metabolite name and reference | Aliases | Formation medium / Rate | Estimated maximum occurrence fraction | Metabolising enzymes |
| deisopropyldeethylhydroxyatrazine (Ref: G-17791) |
- | Soil | 0.004 | - |
| deisopropylhydroxyatrazine (Ref: G-17792) |
- | Soil | 0.08 | - |
| deethylhydroxyatrazine (Ref: G-17794) |
- | Soil | 0.08 | - |
| deisopropyldeethylatrazine (Ref: G-28273) |
- | Soil | 0.08 | - |
HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION
for atrazine
General:
Property ![]() |
Value | Source/Quality Score/Other Information ![]() |
Interpretation ![]() |
|
Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class) ![]() |
High (class III) | - | - | |
| Mammals - Acute oral LD50 (mg kg-1) | 1869 | B5 Rat | Moderate | |
| Mammals - Dermal LD50 (mg kg-1 body weight) | > 3100 | L3 Rat | - | |
| Mammals - Inhalation LC50 (mg l-1) | 5.8 | L3 Rat | - | |
| Other Mammal toxicity endpoints | - | - | ||
| ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg-1bw day-1) | 0.02 | JMPR 2007 | - | |
| ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg-1bw day-1) | 0.1 | JMPR 2007 | - | |
| AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg-1bw day-1) | 0.01 | BA5; EU 1998 | - | |
| Dermal penetration studies (%) | 10 | BA5; EU 1998 | - | |
| Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464 | - | - | - | |
| Exposure Limits | - | - | - | |
| Exposure Routes | Public | - | ||
| Occupational | May be absorbed from the lungs or through intact skin | |||
| European MRLs | Click here for the EU MRL pesticide database | |||
| Drinking Water MAC (μg l-1) | - | - | - | |
Health issues:
| Carcinogen | Mutagen | Endocrine disrupter | Reproduction / development effects | Cholinesterase inhibitor | Neurotoxicant | |||
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| Respiratory tract irritant | Skin irritant | Skin sensitiser | Eye irritant | Phototoxicant | ||||
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| General human health issues | IARC Group 3 carcinogen May cause coma, circulatory collapse and gastric bleeding May cause renal failure May disturb testosterone metabolism Endocrine issues - Androgen inhibition, weak estrogenic effect |
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: Yes, known to cause a problem
: No, known not to cause a problem
: Possibly, status not identified
- : No data found
Handling issues:
| Language | Name |
| English | atrazine |
| French | atrazine |
| German | Atrazin |
| Danish | atrazin |
| Italian | atrazina |
| Spanish | atrazina |
| Greek | atrazine |
| Slovenian | atrazin |
| Polish | atrazyna |
| Swedish | - |
| Hungarian | atrazine |
| Dutch | atrazine |
Record last updated: Tuesday 28 February 2017
Contact: aeru@herts.ac.uk


