Ferric phosphate

Ferric phosphate	Last updated: 27/08/2025
(Also known as: iron phosphate; E33; ferric orthophosphate; iron orthophosphate)

Hazard 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. These hazard alerts do not take account of usage patterns or exposure, thus do not represent risk.

Environmental fate	Ecotoxicity	Human health
Environmental fate Low alert: Non-persistent Warning: Significant data are missing	Ecotoxicity Moderate alert: Fish acute ecotoxicity: Moderate; Earthworms acute ecotoxicity: Moderate; Earthworms chronic ecotoxicity: Moderate	Human health Moderate alert: Neurotoxicant

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

Used to control a variety of slugs and snails on a wide range of foods and ornamental crops

Example pests controlled

Grey field slug (Deroceras reticulatum); Meadow slug (Derceras laeve); Roundback slug (Arion subfuscus)

Example applications

Food and non-food crops

Efficacy & activity

Appearance and life cycle

Taxonomic classification

GB regulatory status

GB COPR regulatory status

Approved

Date COPR inclusion expires

31/12/2030

GB LERAP status

None

EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)

EC Regulation 1107/2009 status

Approved

Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur

Germany/Poland

Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires

31/12/2030

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

FePO₄

Canonical SMILES

[O-]P(=O)([O-])[O-].[Fe+3]

Isomeric SMILES

No data

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

WBJZTOZJJYAKHQ-UHFFFAOYSA-K

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/Fe.H3O4P/c;1-5(2,3)4/h;(H3,1,2,3,4)/q+3;/p-3

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Biopesticide type

Molluscicide

Substance groups

Inorganic compound

Minimum active substance purity

703 g kg⁻¹

Known relevant impurities

EU dossier - Pb: 3mg kg⁻¹; Hg: 0.1 mg kg⁻¹; Cd: 1.0 mg kg⁻¹

Substance origin

Natural

Mode of action

Contact action, interferes with calcium metabolism in slug / snail stomach causing it to stop feeding

Substance source

Ferric phosphate occurs naturally in many foods including vegetables and fruit. In its hydrated form it can also be found in the mineral Strengite

Uses

Crop protection

Target pests

Deroceras reticulatum, Derceras laeve and Arion subfuscus

Target host

Food and non-food crops

Farming system suitability

CAS RN

10045-86-0

EC number

233-149-7

CIPAC number

629

US EPA chemical code

034903

PubChem CID

24861

CLP index number

No data found

Molecular mass

150.82

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

iron(III) phosphate

IUPAC name

Ferric phosphate

CAS name

Ferric phosphate

Forever chemical

Other status information

Note a chelating substance is usually a constituent of these products which should be considered in environmental assessments.

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)

None allocated

Fungicide Resistance Class (FRAC MOA class)

Not applicable

Examples of recorded resistance

Physical state

White to buff coloured powder

Related substances & organisms

sodium ferric EDTA

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

1997, introduced USA

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

Growing Success Organics Ltd
Neudorff GmbH
Bayer CropScience
Vitax Limited

Example products using this active

Neu 1165M Slug and Snail Bait
Ferramol Slug Killer
Slug Death XL
Ferrox
Ferramol mot snegler

Formulation and application details

Usually supplied as pellets or granules.

Commercial production

Ferric phosphate is commercially produced through a controlled chemical reaction between an iron source, commonly ferrous sulphate or iron powder, and a phosphorus source such as phosphoric acid. In one widely used method, iron powder is directly reacted with phosphoric acid under carefully regulated temperature and pH conditions to ensure efficient precipitation of ferric phosphate. The reaction mixture is then subjected to impurity removal, often using agents like sodium sulphide to eliminate unwanted metals. Following this, the ferric phosphate is precipitated and crystallised, then filtered, dried, and milled to achieve the desired particle size and purity.

Impact on climate of production and use

Exact GHG emission figures for ferric phosphate acid are not publicly available. However, a reasonable estimate would be roughly 2–3 kg CO₂e per kg of product, assuming standard industrial energy sources and no carbon capture.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

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

1.86E-09

Low

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

Insoluble

Methanol

Insoluble

Ethanol

Insoluble

Xylene

Insoluble

Ether

Melting point (°C)

Decomposes before melting

Boiling point (°C)

Decomposes before boiling

Degradation point (°C)

500

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)

2.87

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

Non-volatile

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)

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

General biodegradability

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

Non-persistent

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

Non-persistent

DT₅₀ (field)

Non-persistent

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

DT₅₀ modelling endpoint

Note

Rapidly disperses in the environment. Both iron and phosphate naturally occur in soil and are beneficial to plants

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)

> 5000

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)

> 2000

Colinus virginianus as product

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)

> 10

Eisenia foetida

Moderate

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

6.7

Eisenia foetida

Moderate

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

16.2

Folsomia candida

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)

> 100

Apis mellifera

Low

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

> 109.9

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) as Mortality LR₅₀ g ha⁻¹, Std lab test

> 1000

Aphidius rhopalosiphi

Low

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites) as Mortality LR₅₀ g ha⁻¹, Std lab test

> 1000

Typhlodromus pyri

Low

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles) as Mortality LR₅₀ g ha⁻¹, Extended lab study

> 1000

Poecilus cupreus

Low

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

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

> 17.0

Oncorhynchus mykiss as product using orthophosphate

Moderate

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

> 19

Oncorhynchus mykiss as product using orthophosphate

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)

> 100

Daphnia magna

Low

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)

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

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹) (72 hr EC₅₀)

> 100

Desmodesmus subspicatus

Low

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹) (72 hr NOEC)

> 100

Desmodesmus subspicatus

Low

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)

> 5000

Rat

Low

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

2000

Rat (data for ferric III sulphate)

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

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

0.8

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)

0.4

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Negligible risk to bystanders, very small risk for local residents

Occupational

Small risk for operators wearing PPC

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

No data found

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

Mo data

General human health issues

If inhaled, iron is a local irritant to the lung and gastrointestinal tract
Liver, cardiovascular, CNS and pancreas toxicant

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

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

CLP classification 2013

Health: H315, H319, H335
Environment: H412

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

ferric phosphate

French

orthophosphate de fer

German

Eisenorthophosphat

Danish

Italian

Spanish

ortofosfato de hierro

Greek

Polish

Swedish

jarn (III) fosfat

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

jern (III) fosfat

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