Sodium monochloroacetate |

Last updated: 24/08/2025
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(Also known as: sodium chloroacetate) |
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 |
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A post-emergence herbicide used to control a broad-spectrum of annual weeds |
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Chickweed; Speedwell; Groundsel; Docks |
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Brussel sprouts; Cabbages; Kale; Leeks; Onions |
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- |
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- |
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- |
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Not approved |
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Not applicable |
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No UK approval for use as a plant protection agent |
EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414) |
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Not approved |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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- |
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Yes |
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ATAustria |
BEBelgium |
BGBulgaria |
CYCyprus |
CZCzech Republic |
DEGermany |
DKDenmark |
EEEstonia |
ELGreece |
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ESSpain |
FIFinland |
FRFrance |
HRCroatia |
HUHungary |
IEIreland |
ITItaly |
LTLithuania |
LULuxembourg |
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LVLatvia |
MTMalta |
NLNetherlands |
PLPoland |
PTPortugal |
RORomania |
SESweden |
SISlovenia |
SKSlovakia |
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ISIceland |
NONorway |
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None |
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C₂H₂ClNaO₂ |
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C(C(=O)[O-])Cl.[Na+] |
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- |
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FDRCDNZGSXJAFP-UHFFFAOYSA-M |
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InChI=1S/C2H3ClO2.Na/c3-1-2(4)5;/h1H2,(H,4,5);/q;+1/p-1 |
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Yes |
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Herbicide |
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Inorganic compound |
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- |
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- |
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Natural |
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Thought to interfere with plant metabolism, leading to growth inhibition and eventual plant death. |
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Sodium monochloroacetate occurs naturally in various plants |
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Crop protection |
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Chickweed; Speedwell; Groundsel; Docks |
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Brussel sprouts; Cabbages; Kale; Leeks; Onions |
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- |
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3926-62-3 |
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223-498-3 |
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- |
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355200 |
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23665759 |
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607-158-00-5 |
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116.5 |
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- |
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Sodium monochloroacetate |
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Chloroacetic acid, sodium salt |
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- |
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Highly toxic to poultry |
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- |
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None allocated |
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None allocated |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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- |
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Colourless crystalline solid |
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Current |
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- |
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Usually formulated as a soluble powder |
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Sodium monochloroacetate is commercially produced through a neutralisation reaction involving monochloroacetic acid and sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate. This process typically takes place in a controlled reactor system where monochloroacetic acid is gradually added to an aqueous solution of the sodium base, maintaining precise temperature and pH conditions to ensure complete conversion and minimize side reactions. The resulting material is then purified, often via crystallization or filtration and dried. |
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- |
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850000 |
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
High |
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199 |
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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269 |
R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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3.72 X 10-04 |
Calculated |
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-3.43 |
R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications 3 = Unverified data of known source |
Low |
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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. |
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Soil adsorption and mobility |
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None
Terrestrial ecotoxicology |
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650 |
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source Rat |
Moderate |
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2000 |
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source Oncorhynchus mykiss |
Low |
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0.009 |
Desmodesmus subspicatus |
High |
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HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION |
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High (class III) |
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650 |
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source Rat |
Moderate |
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Carcinogen |
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Endocrine disruptor |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
A0 A = Chromosome aberration (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; 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 ; E0 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source) 0 = No data |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
Reproduction / development effects |
Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor |
Neurotoxicant |
✓Yes, known to cause a problem |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
✓Yes, known to cause a problem |
Respiratory tract irritant |
Skin irritant |
Skin sensitiser |
No data found |
✓Yes, known to cause a problem |
No data found |
Eye irritant |
Phototoxicant |
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✓Yes, known to cause a problem |
No data found |
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Liver, kidney, heart, CNS toxicant |
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IMDG Transport Hazard Class 6.1 |
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- |
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Not listed (Not listed) |
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UN2659 |
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Packaging Group III (minor danger) |
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sodium monochloroacetate |
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Record last updated: |
24/08/2025 |
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 |