Aluminium ammonium sulphate

Aluminium ammonium sulphate	Last updated: 23/05/2026
(Also known as: aluminium ammonium sulfate; ammonium alum)

SUMMARY

Aluminium ammonium sulphate is used as a bird and animal repellent. It is highly soluble in water, non-volatile and non-persistent in soils. It is moderately toxic to mammals and a recognised irritant. It is relatively non-toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates.

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 Low alert: Non-persistent; GUS: Low leachability; Drainflow: Non-mobile; Potential for particle bound transport: Low	Ecotoxicity Low alert: Fish acute ecotoxicity: Low; Daphnia acute ecotoxicity: Low; Bees acute contact ecotoxicity: Low; Bees acute oral ecotoxicity: Low; Earthworms acute ecotoxicity: Low	Human health High alert: Genotoxic

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

An inorganic substance used as a bird and animal repellent

Example pests/issues controlled

Birds; Cats; Dogs; Rats; Possums; Rabbits

Example applications

Fruit; Ornamentals; Grassland; Row crops; Combinable crops - grains, oilseeds and pulses; Amenity areas

Efficacy & activity

Evaluated by extensive long-term use and pilot studies

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

Ireland/Portugal

Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires

31/01/2039

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

NH₄AlS₂O₈

Canonical SMILES

[NH4+].[O-]S(=O)(=O)[O-].[O-]S(=O)(=O)[O-].[Al+3]

Isomeric SMILES

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

LCQXXBOSCBRNNT-UHFFFAOYSA-K

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/Al.H3N.2H2O4S/c;;2*1-5(2,3)4/h;1H3;2*(H2,1,2,3,4)/q+3;;;/p-3

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Biopesticide type

Repellent; Rodenticide

Substance groups

Inorganic compound

Minimum active substance purity

>975 g kg⁻¹

Known relevant impurities

EU dossier - none declared

Substance origin

Natural

Mode of action

Non-toxic mode of action - repellent by taste

Substance source

Aluminium ammonium sulphate occurs naturally in the earths crust and is present in some minerals including tschermigite

Uses

Repellent

Farming system suitability

CAS RN

7784-26-1

Alternative/old CAS RN

7784-25-1 (dodecahydrate)

EC number

232-055-3

CIPAC number

840

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

3032540

CLP index number

No data found

Molecular mass (Da)

237.15

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

aluminium ammonium sufate dodecahydrate

IUPAC name

aluminium ammonium sufate dodecahydrate

CAS name

aluminium ammonium sulfate dodecahydrate

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)

Not applicable

Herbicide Resistance Class (WSSA MoA class)

Not applicable

Insecticide Resistance Class (IRAC MoA class)

Not applicable

Fungicide Resistance Class (FRAC MOA class)

Not applicable

Examples of recorded resistance

Physical state

White crystalline powder

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

First agricultural use undocumented; 1950s, recorded use as repellent

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

Sphere
Chiltern
Laronkarn Ltd
SBM Life Science Ltd
Lodi UK

Example products using this active

Formulation and application details

Available in a variety of formulations including wettable powders and liquids.

Commercial production

The production of aluminium ammonium sulphate involves several key steps. First, high-quality raw materials, typically aluminium hydroxide, sulphuric acid, and ammonia, are prepared. Aluminium hydroxide reacts with sulphuric acid to form aluminium sulphate. This solution is then treated with ammonia under controlled temperature and pH conditions to produce aluminium ammonium sulphate. The resulting compound undergoes post-treatment steps including filtration, washing, and drying to ensure purity.

Impact on climate of production and use

Manufacturing aluminium ammonium sulphate generates GHG emissions primarily from its key components: aluminium and ammonium sulphate. Ammonium sulphate contributes relatively low emissions—around 0.05 kg CO₂e per kg—while aluminium is far more carbon-intensive, especially when produced from raw bauxite, emitting up to 16–20 kg CO₂e per kg. If the compound contains roughly equal parts of each, total emissions could range from about 8–10 kg CO₂e per kg when using primary aluminium, and as low as 0.5–1 kg CO₂e per kg if recycled aluminium is used. The actual footprint depends heavily on the production method and energy sources involved.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

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

10467

High

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

10000

Heptane

10000

p-Xylene

10000

Ethyl acetate

10000

Acetone

Melting point (°C)

94.5

Boiling point (°C)

200

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

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

1.00 X 10^-02

Calculated

Log P

-2.0

Low

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

1.64

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Not applicable

No dissociation

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

1.00 X 10^-10

Low volatility

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

Not relevant

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Not relevant

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

General biodegradability

Readily biodegradable

Soil degradation (days) (Aerobic conditions)

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

Best available data. In unsterilised soil, substance is mineralised rapidly, and subsequently nitrified

Soil mineralisation

Aerobic (at 20 °C)

Anaerobic (at 20 °C)

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)

0.1

Fast

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)

Non-mobile

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

125000

Notes and range

Expert judgement

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 Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

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

33.5

Rat

Moderate

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

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

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

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

> 1000

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)

> 100

Apis mellifera

Low

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

> 100

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 48-hr LR₅₀ g ha⁻¹

> 20000

Aphidius rhopalosiphi

Low

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites) as Mortality 48-hr LR₅₀ g ha⁻¹

> 20000

Typhlodromus pyri

Low

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)

> 100

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Low

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

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, 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 ErC₅₀, Static)

23.23

Raphidocelis subcapitata

Low

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

1.15

Raphidocelis subcapitata

Low

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

Regulatory Threshold Levels (RTLs)

Note: These RTLs have been calculated using the regulatory approach used in the European Union and based on ecotoxocity values in the PPDB.

Species group

RTL

Notes

Mammals

6.7

Worst case of acute and chronic mammals

Birds

No data

No data for acute and chronic birds

Soil organisms

100

Worst case of acute and chronic earthworms

Terrestrial plants

No data

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

Pollinators

Worst case of contact and oral honeybees

Arthropods

10000

Worst case of parasitic wasps and predatory mites

Fish

Worst case of temperate acute and chronic fish

Aquatic invertebrates

Worst case of temperate acute and chronic aquatic invertebrates

Aquatic plants

1.15

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)

> 2000

Rat

Low

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

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

33.5

Rat

Moderate

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

> 2000

Rat

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

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

0.1

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

0.1

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

0.001

SF=100

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

0.01

Dermal penetration studies (%)

1.0

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Modest risk identified during the application period

Occupational

PPE/PPC recommended to reduce exposure

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Mainly eliminated via the urine

Health issues

Specific human health issues (hazard-based)

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

Harmful if swallowed
Irritant to respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts

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

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

aluminium ammonium sulphate

French

sulfate d'ammonium d'aluminium

German

Aluminiumammoniumsulfat

Danish

aluminiumammoniumsulfat

Italian

solfato di alluminio e di ammonio

Spanish

sulfato del amonio del alumino

Greek

Polish

siarczan amonowo glinowy

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	23/05/2026
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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