Iron sulphate

Iron sulphate	Last updated: 27/08/2025
(Also known as: iron sulfate; iron (II) sulphate; ferrous sulphate; ferrous sulfate)

Hazard alerts

The following Pesticide Hazard Tricolour (PHT) 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. The alerts for Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) are based on applying the FAO/WHO (Type 1) and the PAN (Type II) criteria to PPDB data. Further details on the HHP indicators are given in the tables below. Neither the PHT nor the HHP hazard alerts take account of usage patterns or exposure, thus they do not represent risk.

PHT: Environmental fate	PHT: Ecotoxicity	PHT: Human health	Highly Hazardous Pesticide
Environmental fate High alert: Drainflow: Very mobile	Ecotoxicity Moderate alert: Birds acute ecotoxicity: Moderate; Fish acute ecotoxicity: Moderate; Fish chronic ecotoxicity: Moderate; Daphnia acute ecotoxicity: Moderate; Daphnia chronic ecotoxicity: Moderate	Human health Moderate alert: Mammals acute toxicity: Moderate; Reproduction/development effects Warning: Significant data are missing

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

Common naturally occuring substance used for selective moss control

Example pests controlled

Moss

Example applications

Sports and amenity turf

Efficacy & activity

Appearance and life cycle

Taxonomic classification

GB regulatory status

GB COPR regulatory status

Approved

Date COPR inclusion expires

31/08/2029

GB LERAP status

None

EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)

EC Regulation 1107/2009 status

Approved

Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur

Hungary/Poland

Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires

30/11/2026

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

Also used in

Chemical structure

Isomerism

None

Chemical formula

FeO₄S

Canonical SMILES

[O-]S(=O)(=O)[O-].[Fe+2]

Isomeric SMILES

No data

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

BAUYGSIQEAFULO-UHFFFAOYSA-L

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/Fe.H2O4S/c;1-5(2,3)4/h;(H2,1,2,3,4)/q+2;/p-2

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Biopesticide type

Herbicide; Other substance

Other bioactivity & uses

Fertiliser

Substance groups

Inorganic compound

Minimum active substance purity

350 g kg⁻¹

Known relevant impurities

EU dossier - arsenic <10mg kg⁻¹, lead <20mg/Kg, mercury <1mg/Kg

Substance origin

Natural

Mode of action

Selective, causes a pH shift inside the moss causing enzymes production to cease thus killing the plants

Substance source

Various ferrous sulphate hydrates occur naturally in minerals including melanterite, rozenite, siderotil, szomolnokite and ferrohexahydrite

Uses

Turf management

Target pests

Moss

Target host

Sports and amenity turf

Farming system suitability

CAS RN

7720-78-7

EC number

231-753-5

CIPAC number

837

US EPA chemical code

050507

PubChem CID

24393

CLP index number

026-003-00-7

Molecular mass

151.91

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

iron(II) tetraoxosulfate

CAS name

iron (2+) sulphate

Global Governance status: Listed (✓) under

UK Poisons List Order 1972	Rotterdam Convention	Montreal Protocol
XNo The Poisons List Order 1972	XNo Rotterdam Convention	XNo Montreal Protocol
Stockholm Convention	OSPAR	EU Water Framework Directive
XNo Stockholm Convention	XNo OSPAR	XNo EU Water Framework Directive

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Forever chemical

Highly Hazardous Pesticide (HHP)

Type I

Type II

Other status information

Herbicide Resistance Class (HRAC MoA class)

None allocated

Herbicide Resistance Class (WSSA MoA class)

None allocated

Insecticide Resistance Class (IRAC MoA class)

Not applicable

Fungicide Resistance Class (FRAC MOA class)

Not applicable

Examples of recorded resistance

Physical state

Blue-green powder

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

cica 1901, introduced

Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically

Bayer CropScience
Scotts
Vitax

Example products using this active

Lawn sand
Greenmaster Autumn
Vitax Turf Tonic
CurEra mose GTI

Formulation and application details

Generally provided in a granular formulation which is scattered or spread. 30 kg product/ha, two applications per season (EU)

Commercial production

There are several methods for producing ferrous sulphate industrially including the action of sulphuric acid on iron (I) and as a by-product from pickling of steel

Impact on climate of production and use

The commercial production of iron sulphate for agricultural use generates approximately 0.43 kg CO₂e per kg of product, based on life cycle data from European manufacturing sources. This includes emissions from raw material extraction, chemical synthesis, energy use, and factory-level operations.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C at pH 7 (mg l⁻¹)

260000

High

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

Insoluble

Acetone

Insoluble

Methanol

Insoluble

Ethanol

Insoluble

Ethyl acetate

Melting point (°C)

Boiling point (°C)

>300

Degradation point (°C)

>300

Flashpoint (°C)

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

9.33 X 10^-02

Calculated

Log P

-1.03

Low

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

1.898

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

1.0 X 10^-02

Low volatility

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

6.0 X 10^-07

Non-volatile

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

No strong absorbance at any wavelength

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

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

Iron ion rapidly released in soil. Iron is a naturally occurring element and, as such, does not then degrade further. DT₅₀ of Fe >10,000 days

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)

Very mobile

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

EU dossier

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)

> 1185

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Short Term Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Mammals - Long Term (Chronic) Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 1231

Colinus virginianus

Moderate

Birds - Short term dietary LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

> 683

Colinus virginianus

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)

> 3829

Eisenia foetida

Low

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

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Honeybees (Apis 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)

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

> 100

Low

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)

Beneficial insects (Butterflies)

Contact

Notes

Oral

Notes

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

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

45.1

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Moderate

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

3.4

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Moderate

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

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

31.2

Daphnia magna

Moderate

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

< 1.08

Daphnia magna Reproduction

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 (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹) (ErC₅₀, Semi-static)

> 103.4

Lemna gibba

Low

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹) (96 hr ErC₅₀, Static)

> 76.6

Anabaena variabilis

Low

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

Regulatory Threshold Levels (RTLs) used to calculate Total Applied Toxicity (TAT)

Species group

RTL

Notes

Mammals

118.5

Worst case of acute and chronic mammals

Birds

123.1

Worst case of acute and chronic birds

Soil organisms

765.8

Worst case of acute and chronic earthworms

Terrestrial plants

No data

No data for non-target plants vegetative vigour and seedling emergence

Pollinators

No data

No data for contact and oral honeybees

Arthropods

No data

No data for parasitic wasps and predatory mites

Fish

0.34

Worst case of temperate acute and chronic fish

Aquatic invertebrates

0.108

Worst case of temperate acute and chronic aquatic invertebrates

Aquatic plants

7.66

Worst case of free-floating plants, rooted plants, acute and chronic algae

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)

> 1185

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Short Term Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Mammals - Long Term (Chronic) Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

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

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

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

0.8

(Fe ion) SF=none; ADI=12.5 (sulphate ion) SF=none

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

None allocated

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

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

0.38

(Fe ion) SF=100; AOEL=1.3 (sulphate ion) SF=none

Dermal penetration studies (%)

default

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Negligible risk to bystanders from proposed pattern of use

Occupational

Exposure estimates imply PPE/PPC should be used

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Health issues

Specific human health issues (hazard-based)

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

No data found

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

No data found

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

May cause gastrointestinal irritation
Ingestion may cause esophagus, bleeding of the stomach and ulcer formation
Possible liver toxicant

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

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

CLP classification 2013

Health: H302, H315, H319

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

iron sulphate

French

sulfate de fer

German

Eisensulfat

Danish

Italian

Spanish

sulfato de hierro

Greek

Polish

Swedish

jarn(II)sulfathepta

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

jern(II)sulfat

Record last updated:	27/08/2025
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

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