Bensulide (Ref: R 4461)	Last updated: 13/01/2023
(Also known as: benzulfide)

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SUMMARY

Bensulide is an organophosphate herbicide. It has a low aqueous solubility, miscible with most common organic solvents and shows a low to moderate volatility. It may persist in soil and water systems under certain conditions. They is a low risk of leaching to groundwater. Bensulide has a moderate toxicity to humans as well as being a cholinesterase inhibitor and a neurotoxin. It is moderately toxic to birds, fish, aquatic plants and honeybees.

Data alerts

The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement.

Environmental fate	Ecotoxicity	Human health
Environmental fate High alert: Persistent; Potential for particle bound transport: High	Ecotoxicity High alert: Daphnia chronic ecotoxicity: High	Human health High alert: Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor; Neurotoxicant

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description	A selective, pre-emergence organophosphorus herbicide
Example pests controlled	Bluegrass; Crabgrass; Pigweed; Red deadnettle; Goosegrass; Lambsquarters; Shepherd's purse; Fescue; Bentgrass
Example applications	Carrots; Cucumbers; Melon; Peppers; Lettuce; Brassicas; Squash; Tomatoes; Cotton; Turf
Efficacy & activity	-
Availability status	Current
Introduction & key dates	1962

UK regulatory status

UK COPR regulatory status	Not approved
Date COPR inclusion expires	Expired
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	-
Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires	Expired
EU Candidate for substitution (CfS)	-
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

Additional information

Also used in	Australia

Chemical structure

Isomerism	None
Chemical formula	C₁₄H₂₄NO₄PS₃
Canonical SMILES	CC(C)OP(=S)(OC(C)C)SCCNS(=O)(=O)C1=CC=CC=C1
Isomeric SMILES	No data
International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)	RRNIZKPFKNDSRS-UHFFFAOYSA-N
International Chemical Identifier (InChI)	InChI=1S/C14H24NO4PS3/c1-12(2)18-20(21,19-13(3)4)22-11-10-15-23(16,17)14-8-6-5-7-9-14/h5-9,12-13,15H,10-11H2,1-4H3
2D structure diagram/image available?	Yes

Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams

Common Name	Relationship	Link
bensulide	-

General status

Pesticide type	Herbicide
Substance groups	Organophosphate herbicide
Minimum active substance purity	-
Known relevant impurities	-
Substance origin	Synthetic
Mode of action	Selective, acts by inhibiting germination, absorbed through leaves and roots
CAS RN	741-58-2
EC number	212-010-4
CIPAC number	295
US EPA chemical code	009801
PubChem CID	12932
CLP index number	015-083-00-9
Molecular mass	397.51
PIN (Preferred Identification Name)	S-[2-(benzenesulfonamido)ethyl] O,O-di(propan-2-yl) phosphorodithioate
IUPAC name	O,O-diisopropyl S-2-phenylsulfonylaminoethyl phosphorodithioate
CAS name	O,O-bis(1-methylethyl) S-[2-[(phenylsulfonyl)amino]ethyl] phosphorodithioate
Other status information	Potential groundwater contaminant; PAN Bad Actor Chemical
Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards	-
Herbicide Resistance Classification (HRAC)	N
Herbicide Resistance Classification (WSSA)	8
Insecticide Resistance Classification (IRAC)	Not applicable
Fungicide Resistance Classification (FRAC)	Not applicable
Examples of recorded resistance	-
Physical state	Colourless to yellow viscous liquid

Formulations

Property	Value
Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically	Scotts Co Gowan Co PBI Stauffer
Example products using this active	Exporsan Betasan Pre-San Betamec Prefar Agway Betasan Acme Stopit Crabgrass Preventer
Formulation and application details	Usually supplied as an emulsifiable concentrate or as granules.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property		Value	Source; quality score; and other information	Interpretation
Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)		25	G4 G = Extension Toxicology network database EXTOXNET (click here ) 4 = Verified data	Low
Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)		Miscible	L2 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 2 = Unverified data of unknown source Acetone	-
		Miscible	L2 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 2 = Unverified data of unknown source Ethanol	-
		Miscible	L2 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 2 = Unverified data of unknown source Xylene	-
Melting point (°C)		34.4	L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source	-
Boiling point (°C)		Decomposes before boiling	G4 G = Extension Toxicology network database EXTOXNET (click here ) 4 = Verified data	-
Degradation point (°C)		100	L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source	-
Flashpoint (°C)		157	G4 G = Extension Toxicology network database EXTOXNET (click here ) 4 = Verified data	-
Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C	P	1.58 X 1004	Calculated	-
	Log P	4.2	G4 G = Extension Toxicology network database EXTOXNET (click here ) 4 = Verified data	High
Fat solubility of residues	Solubility	-	-	-
	Data type	-	-	-
Density (g ml⁻¹)		1.25	L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source	-
Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C		Not applicable	H4 H = The US ARS pesticide properties database (click here ) 4 = Verified data	-
		No dissociation
Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)		0.133	L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source	Low volatility
Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)		2.11 X 10-03	L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source	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)	90	L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source	Moderately persistent
	DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)	-	-	-
	DT₅₀ (field)	120	Q3 Q = Miscellaneous internet resources 3 = Unverified data of known source	Persistent
	DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)	-	-	-
	DT₉₀ (field)	-	-	-
	DT₅₀ modelling endpoint	-	-	-
	Note	Best available data. May persist for up to a year
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	200	L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source	Persistent
	Note	Not pH sensitive
Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)		-	-	-
Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)		-	-	-

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property		Value	Source; quality score; and other information	Interpretation
Linear	Kd	-	H3 H = The US ARS pesticide properties database (click here ) 3 = Unverified data of known source	Slightly mobile
	Koc	3900
	Notes and range	Best available data
Freundlich	Kf	43.1	F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment ) 4 = Verified data	Slightly mobile
	Kfoc	1448
	1/n	1.04
	Notes and range	Kf range 11.0-65.4 mL g⁻¹, Kfoc range 785-2037 mL g⁻¹, 1/n - no data, Soils=3
pH sensitivity		-

Fate indices

Property		Value	Source; quality score; and other information	Interpretation
GUS leaching potential index		1.74	Calculated	Low leachability
SCI-GROW groundwater index (μg l⁻¹) for a 1 kg ha⁻¹ or 1 l ha⁻¹ application rate	Value	5.79 X 10-02	Calculated	-
	Note	-
Potential for particle bound transport index		High	Calculated	-
Potential for loss via drain flow		Slightly mobile	Calculated	-
Bio-concentration factor	BCF (l kg⁻¹)	880	F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment ) 4 = Verified data Whole fish	Threshold for concern
	CT₅₀ (days)	Not available		-

Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property		Value	Source; quality score; and other information	Interpretation
Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)		270	L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source Rat	Moderate
Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL	(mg kg⁻¹)	1	L2 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 2 = Unverified data of unknown source Rat 2 year	High
	(ppm diet)	-		-
Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)		-	-	-
Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)		> 1386	L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source Colinus virginianus	Moderate
Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)		-	-	-
Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)		-	-	-
Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)		> 1000	E3 E = Manufacturers safety data sheets 3 = Unverified data of known source Eisenia foetida	Low
Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)		-	-	-
Soil micro-organisms		-	-	-
Collembola	Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)	-	-	-
	Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)	-	-	-
Non-target plants		-	-	-
		-	-	-
Honeybees (Apis spp.)	Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)	24.0	F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment ) 4 = Verified data Apis mellifera	Moderate
	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)	> 1.6	G3 G = Extension Toxicology network database EXTOXNET (click here ) 3 = Unverified data of known source	Moderate
	Chronic	-	-	-
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	-
Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)		-	-	-
Beneficial insects (Lacewings)		-	-	-
Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)		-	-	-
Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)		-	-	-
Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)		-	-	-

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property		Value	Source; quality score; and other information	Interpretation
Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)		> 1.1	L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source Oncorhynchus mykiss	Moderate
Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)		-	-	-
Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)		> 0.58	L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source Daphnia magna	Moderate
Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)		< 0.0042	F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment ) 4 = Verified data Daphnia magna	High
Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)		0.051	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 Americamysis bahia	High
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)		0.11	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 Lemna gibba	Moderate
Algae - Acute 72 hour EC₅₀, growth (mg l⁻¹)		-	-	-
Algae - Chronic 96 hour NOEC, growth (mg l⁻¹)		-	-	-
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)		270	L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source Rat	Moderate
Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)		2000	L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source Rat	-
Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)		1.75	L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source Rat	-
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		-	-	-
Exposure Routes	Public	-
	Occupational	-
MRLs	European	EU MRL pesticide database
	Great Britain	GB MRL Register
	Notes	-
Drinking Water Standards		-	-	-
Drinking Water MAC (μg l⁻¹)		-	-	-
Mammalian dose elimination route and rate		-	-	-

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 ; E3 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source) 3 = Negative No data found Reproduction / development effects Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor Neurotoxicant No data found ✓Yes, known to cause a problem ✓Yes, known to cause a problem Respiratory tract irritant Skin irritant Skin sensitiser XNo, known not to cause a problem ?Possibly, status not identified No data found Eye irritant Phototoxicant   XNo, known not to cause a problem No data found
General human health issues		Moderately toxic May cause convulsions at high doses May cause respiratory problems

Handling issues

Property	Value and interpretation
General	No information available
CLP classification 2013	Health: H302 Environment: H400, H410
WHO Classification	II (Moderately hazardous)
UN Number	2902
Waste disposal & packaging	-

TRANSLATIONS

Language	Name
English	bensulide
French	bensulide
German	Bensulid
Danish	bensulid
Italian	bensulide
Spanish	bensulida
Greek	-
Polish	bensulid
Swedish	-
Hungarian	-
Dutch	bensulide

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Record last updated:	13/01/2023
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