Calcium carbonate

Calcium carbonate	Last updated: 26/05/2025
(Also known as: marble dust; calcite; limestone)

SUMMARY

A multi-use substance predominately used as an animal repellent but which also has some pesticide activity. It has a moderate aqueous solubility but would not be expected to persist in the environment. Calcium carbonate as a low toxicity and is not expected to cause serious health impact but may cause skin and eye irritation. It generally has a low ecotoxicity.

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 Low alert: Non-persistent; Potential for particle bound transport: Low Warning: Significant data are missing	Ecotoxicity Low alert: Fish acute ecotoxicity: Low; Fish chronic ecotoxicity: Low; Daphnia acute ecotoxicity: Low; Bees acute contact ecotoxicity: Low; Bees acute oral ecotoxicity: Low; Earthworms acute ecotoxicity: Low; Earthworms chronic ecotoxicity: Low	Human health Low alert

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

An inorganic substance mainly used as animal repellent but which also has herbicide, fungicide and/or microbiocide activity.

Example pests controlled

Game - mammals & birds

Example applications

Forestry; Fruit orchards; Deciduous and coniferous trees; Shrubs; Ornamentals

Efficacy & activity

Appearance and life cycle

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

Taxonomic classification

GB regulatory status

GB COPR regulatory status

Not approved

Date COPR inclusion expires

Withdrawn

GB LERAP status

No data

EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)

EC Regulation 1107/2009 status

Approved

Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur

Spain/Hungary

Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires

31/10/2036

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

Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 by Mutual Recognition of Authorisation and/or national regulations in the following EEA countries

ISIceland	NONorway

Additional information

Known to be also used in the following countries

Chemical structure

Isomerism

None

Chemical formula

CaCO₃

Canonical SMILES

C(=O)([O-])[O-].[Ca+2]

Isomeric SMILES

No data

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

VTYYLEPIZMXCLO-UHFFFAOYSA-L

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/CH2O3.Ca/c2-1(3)4;/h(H2,2,3,4);/q;+2/p-2

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams

Common Name	Relationship	Link
calcium carbonate	-

General status

Biopesticide type

Herbicide; Fungicide; Semiochemical; Other substance

Other bioactivity & uses

pH adjuster; Carrier; Microbiocide

Substance groups

Inorganic compound

Minimum active substance purity

995 g kg⁻¹

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Natural

Mode of action

Unappealing texture. Elevates gastric pH. Protective, inhibiting fungal spores and pathogens from entering the host tissues.

Substance source

Calcium carbonate occurs naturally in the earths crust

Substance production

Calcium carbonate is produced by reacting calcium hydroxide (slaked lime) with carbon dioxide. The resulting product is purified to remove any impurities and dried. It can also be produced manufactured industrially for from chalk, limestone, or marble by either a wet or dry grinding process.

Uses

Landscape management

Target pests

Damaging mammals and birds - particularly game

Target host

Forestry; Fruit orchards; Deciduous and coniferous trees; Shrubs; Ornamentals

Farming system suitability

CAS RN

471-34-1

EC number

207-439-9

CIPAC number

843

US EPA chemical code

073502

PubChem CID

10112

CLP index number

No data found

Molecular mass

100.09

Chemical name

calcium carbonate

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

calcium carbonate

IUPAC name

calcium carbonate

CAS name

calcium carbonate

Other status information

Note: Substance is not approved as 'chalk'

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Herbicide Resistance Class (HRAC MoA class)

Not applicable

Herbicide Resistance Class (WSSA MoA class)

Not applicable

Insecticide Resistance Class (IRAC MoA class)

Not applicable

Fungicide Resistance Class (FRAC MOA class)

Examples of recorded resistance

Physical state

White powder

Formulations

Property

Product

Manufacturer

Example products

Formulation and application details

Usually supplied as a solution or wettable granules. When used as a repellent it can be applied with a brush to individual plants, shrubs and trees.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

14.0

Moderate

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Insoluble

Ethanol

Melting point (°C)

825

Boiling point (°C)

Decomposes before boiling

Degradation point (°C)

825

Flashpoint (°C)

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

Not applicable

Log P

Not applicable

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

2.83

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

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)

Not applicable

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

General biodegradability

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

0.1

Non-persistent

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

0.1

Non-persistent

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

DT₅₀ modelling endpoint

Note

Natural substance that rapidly disperses in the environment

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on plant matrix

Value

Note

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) 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)

Sediment 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.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 2000

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)

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

expert judgement

Low

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)

> 837

Eisenia foetida

Low

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)

343

Apis mellifera

Low

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

337

Apis mellifera

Low

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Notes

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)

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

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 100

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Low

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

> 200

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Low

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 100

Daphnia magna

Low

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

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 (free-floating, growth) - Acute 7 day EC₅₀, biomass (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth) - Acute 14 day EC₅₀, biomass (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute 72 hour EC₅₀, growth (mg l⁻¹)

> 42.0

Unknown species as product

Low

Algae - Chronic 96 hour NOEC, growth (mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

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)

> 2000

Rat

Low

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

2000

Rat

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 3.0

Rat 4 hr

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

None allocated

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

None allocated

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

None allocated

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

None allocated

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Exposure not considered significant - low risk

Occupational

Exposure not considered significant - low risk

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

No data found

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

General human health issues

May cause hypotension
May cause dose related constipation and/or mild gastrointestinal discomfort
May cause kidney damage at very high doses

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Corrosive
Not explosive or oxidising
Not expected to auto-ignite; Not highly flammable

CLP classification 2013

Health: H315, H318, H319, H335, H336, H372

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

calcium carbonate

French

caronate de calcium

German

Calciumcarbonat

Danish

calciumkarbonat

Italian

carbonato di calcio

Spanish

carbonato del calcio

Greek

Polish

weglan wapnia

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	26/05/2025
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