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Piperonyl butoxide (Ref: ENT 14250)
Last updated: 07/03/2024
(Also known as: PBO; butacide; butoxide)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Description
An unclassified synergist used in a wide variety of insecticides to provide enhanced performance of the active ingredient
Availability status
Current
Introduction & key dates
circa 1950, introduced
Examples of veterinary uses
Typically used in products for lice, flea and fliy infestations
Examples of species treated
Cats; Dogs; Horses; Pigeons; Caged birds
Approval status
VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)
Approved
EU Regulatory approval status
Approved
Chemical structure
Isomerism
-
Chemical formula
C₁₉H₃₀O₅
Canonical SMILES
CCCCOCCOCCOCC1=CC2=C(C=C1CCC)OCO2
Isomeric SMILES
No data
International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)
FIPWRIJSWJWJAI-UHFFFAOYSA-N
International Chemical Identifier (InChI)
InChI=1S/C19H30O5/c1-3-5-7-20-8-9-21-10-11-22-14-17-13-19-18(23-15-24-19)12-16(17)6-4-2/h12-13H,3-11,14-15H2,1-2H3
2D structure diagram/image available?
Yes
General status
Veterinary substance type
Product performance enhancer
Other constituent type
Synergist
Substance groups
Cyclic aromatic substance; Synergist
Minimum active substance purity
-
Known relevant impurities
-
Substance origin
Synthetic
Mode of action
Blocks pests natural detoxification system. Synergist. P450-dependent monooxygenase inhibitor.
Molecular targets
[Cytochrome P-450, Inhibitor]
CAS RN
51-03-6
EC number
200-076-7
CIPAC number
33
US EPA chemical code
067501
PubChem CID
-
Therapeutic Class
Sensory organs: Otological substances
ATCvet Code
QS02QA
Controlled Drug?
No
Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification
Allowed substance (Table 1: Bovine, Ovine, Caprine, Equidae)
Molecular mass
338.44
PIN (Preferred Identification Name)
-
IUPAC name
5-[2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethoxymethyl]-6-propyl-1,3-benzodioxole
CAS name
5-((2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethoxy)methyl)-6-propyl-1,3-benzodioxole
Other status information
Listed on USA Toxic Release Inventory
Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards
-
Physical state
Colourless to yellow oily liquid
Related substances & organisms
Formulations
Property
Product
Manufacturer
Authorisation Route
Legal Class (GB/UK)
Example products (past and present) using this active
Beaphar Cat Flea Spray Sinclair Animal & Household Care Ltd UK National authorisation Authorised veterinary medicine for general sale (AVM-GSL)
Beaphar Ear Drops Solution Sinclair Animal & Household Care Ltd UK National authorisation Authorised veterinary medicine for general sale (AVM-GSL)
Johnson's Anti Pest Insect Spray Johnsons Veterinary Products Ltd UK National authorisation Authorised veterinary medicine for general sale (AVM-GSL)
Pets with Wilko Insectidal Shampoo Sinclair Animal and Household Care Ltd UK National authorisation Authorised veterinary medicine for general sale (AVM-GSL)
Formulation and application details
Formulated for topical application such as cutaneous sprays, shampoos and powders
ENVIRONMENTAL FATE
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)
14.3
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Low
Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Melting point (°C)
Not applicable
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Boiling point (°C)
- - -
Degradation point (°C)
164
E3 E = Manufacturers safety data sheets
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Flashpoint (°C)
179
E3 E = Manufacturers safety data sheets
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C
P
5.62 X 1004 Calculated -
Log P
4.75
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 High
Fat solubility of residues
Solubility
- - -
Data type
- - -
Density (g ml⁻¹)
1.06
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C
- - -
-
Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)
2.00 X 10-02
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)
2.30 X 10-06
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Non-volatile
Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost
From plant surface
- - -
From soil surface
- - -
Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹
- - -
Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)
50.39
E3 E = Manufacturers safety data sheets
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Refractive Index
1.497-1.507
Q2 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources
2 = Unverified data of unknown source
 -
Environmental release
-
Degradation
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)
DT₅₀ (typical)
13
K4 K = Research datasets (e.g. Pandora, Demetra; these datasets no longer available). Norman Ecotoxicology database. (click here )
4 = Verified data
 Non-persistent
DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)
- - -
DT₅₀ (field)
- - -
DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)
- - -
DT₉₀ (field)
- - -
Note
Best available data
Manure DT₅₀ (days)
- - -
Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7
Value
- - -
Note
-
Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7
Value
250
H3 H = The US ARS pesticide properties database. Dataset is no longer available.
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Persistent
Note
Stable pH 5 to pH 9 at 25 °C
Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)
- - -
Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)
- - -
Air degradation
As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.
Soil adsorption and mobility
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Linear
Kd
-
W3 W = French database provided by ARVALIS-Institut du Végétal. Dataset no longer available.
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Non-mobile
Koc
89125
Notes and range
Other data: Koc range 399-830 mL g⁻¹ (L3)
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
-1.06 Calculated Low leachability
Bio-concentration factor
BCF (l kg⁻¹)
260
E3 E = Manufacturers safety data sheets
3 = Unverified data of known source
Lepomis macrochinis		 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)
> 7220
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Rat		 Low
Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL
(mg kg⁻¹)
30
L2 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
2 = Unverified data of unknown source
Rat 2 yr		 High
(ppm diet)
- -
Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
- - -
Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
> 2250
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Colinus virginianus		 Low
Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)
- - -
Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
- - -
Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
- - -
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)
294
E3 E = Manufacturers safety data sheets
3 = Unverified data of known source
Apis mellifera		 Low
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)
- - -
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 bee species (1)
Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)
- - -
Mode of exposure
-
Other bee species (2)
Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)
- - -
Mode of exposure
-
Beneficial insects (Ladybirds) as Mortality LC₅₀ mg l⁻¹
> 1644
F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data
Coccinella septempunctata Adult		 -
Beneficial insects (Lacewings) as Mortality, Contact LD₅₀ g l⁻¹
> 1.71
F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data
Chrysoperla carnea Larva		 -
Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)
- - -
Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)
- - -
Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)
- - -
Aquatic ecotoxicology
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
5.3
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Cyprinidae spp.		 Moderate
Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
3.84
F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source
Danio rerio Embryo		 Moderate
Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
0.51
J4 J = Pesticide Action Network database (click here )
4 = Verified data
Daphnia magna		 Moderate
Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)
0.12
F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source
Daphnia magna LOEC		 Moderate
Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (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)
- - -
Algae - Acute 72 hour EC₅₀, growth (mg l⁻¹)
0.24
K3 K = Research datasets (e.g. Pandora, Demetra; these datasets no longer available). Norman Ecotoxicology database. (click here )
3 = Unverified data of known source
Unknown species		 Moderate
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)
> 7220
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Rat		 Low
Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)
1880
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Rabbit		 -
Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
> 5.9
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Rat		 -
Other Mammal toxicity endpoints
Intraperitoneal LDLo = 1000 mg kg⁻¹
V3 V = ChemID Online Databases; Chemspider; PubChem. (ChemID )
3 = Unverified data of known source
Mouse		 -
ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)
0.2
F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data
JMPR 1995		 -
ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)
None allocated
F5 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
JMPR 2002		 -
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
-
Mammalian dose elimination route and rate
Majority of dose eliminated in faeces
R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Health issues
Specific human health issues
Carcinogen
Genotoxic
Endocrine disruptor
?Possibly, status not identified
A3 A = Chromosome aberration (EFSA database)
3 = Negative
;
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
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
Reproduction / development effects Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor Neurotoxicant
?Possibly, status not identified
XNo, known not to cause a problem
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
Respiratory tract irritant Skin irritant Skin sensitiser
XNo, known not to cause a problem
XNo, known not to cause a problem
XNo, known not to cause a problem
Eye irritant Phototoxicant  
?Possibly, status not identified
 No data found  
General human health issues
Possible liver toxicant
IARC Group 3 carcinogen - not classifiable; US EPA - possible human carcinogen; Some sources dispute carcinogenicity
Handling issues
Property
Value and interpretation
General
Not explosive
IMDG Transport Hazard Class 9
CLP classification 2013
Health: H330, H361
Environment: H400, H410
WHO Classification
U (Unlikely to present an acute hazard)
UN Number
UN3082
Waste disposal & packaging
Packaging Group III (minor danger)
Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity
-
TRANSLATIONS
Language
Name
English
piperonyl butoxide
French
pipéronyl butoxyde
German
Piperonylbutoxid
Danish
piperonylbutoxyd
Italian
piperonil butossido
Spanish
butoxido de piperonilo
Greek
-
Polish
piperonyl butoksydu
Swedish
piperonylbutoxid
Hungarian
-
Dutch
-
Norwegian
-
Record last updated: 07/03/2024
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