Anthraquinone

Anthraquinone	Last updated: 12/06/2024
(Also known as: anthradione)

SUMMARY

Anthraquinone is a substance used as a bird repellent. It has a low aqueous solubility, volatile with a low risk of leaching to groundwater. it is non-persistent in soil but can be persistent in water under certain conditions. It shows a low mammalian toxicity but there are some concerns regarding its potential to bioaccumulate. No serious risks to human health have been reported. It is moderately toxic to birds, most aquatic organisms and earthworms. No data is available regarding the risk to honeybees.

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 Moderate alert: Drainflow: Slightly mobile; Potential for particle bound transport: Medium Warning: Significant data are missing	Ecotoxicity Moderate alert: Fish acute ecotoxicity: Moderate; Daphnia acute ecotoxicity: Moderate	Human health High alert: Carcinogen

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

Substance used primarily as a bird repellent formulated as a seed treatment

Example pests controlled

Birds such as rooks and crows

Example applications

Agricultural cropping

Efficacy & activity

Appearance and life cycle

Availability status

Introduction & key dates

1951, introdcued France; 1999, first registered USA

Taxonomic classification

GB regulatory status

GB COPR regulatory status

Not approved

Date COPR inclusion expires

Expired

GB LERAP status

No UK approval for use as a pesticide

EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)

EC Regulation 1107/2009 status

Not approved

Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur

Belgium

Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires

Expired

EU Candidate for substitution (CfS)

Not applicable

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

USA

Chemical structure

Isomerism

None

Chemical formula

C₁₄H₈O₂

Canonical SMILES

C1=CC=C2C(=C1)C(=O)C3=CC=CC=C3C2=O

Isomeric SMILES

No data

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

RZVHIXYEVGDQDX-UHFFFAOYSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C14H8O2/c15-13-9-5-1-2-6-10(9)14(16)12-8-4-3-7-11(12)13/h1-8H

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams

Common Name	Relationship	Link
anthraquinone	-

General status

Biopesticide type

Semiochemical

Substance groups

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon; Plant-derived substance; Animal-derived susbtance

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Natural

Mode of action

Non-toxc mode of action. It induces retching in birds and so deters attack

Substance source

The anthraquinones occur widely in plants and also in a few animals.

Substance production

It is prepared commercially by oxidation of anthracene or condensation of benzene and phthalic anhydride, followed by dehydration of the condensation product

Uses

Crop protection - bird repellent

Target pests

Birds

Target host

Field crops

Farming system suitability

CAS RN

84-65-1

EC number

201-549-0

CIPAC number

290

US EPA chemical code

122701

PubChem CID

6780

Molecular mass

208.21

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

anthracene-9,10-dione

IUPAC name

anthracene-9,10-dione

CAS name

9,10-anthracenedione

Other status information

Chemical subject to PIC regulations; PAN listed Highly Hazardous Chemical

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)

Not applicable

Examples of recorded resistance

Physical state

Yellow to green-grey crystals with a weak odour.

Formulations

Property

Product

Manufacturer

Example products

Formulation and application details

Usually supplied as a seed treatment

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

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

0.084

Low

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

2314

Benzene

9030

Chloroform

3520

Ethanol

2598

Toluene

Melting point (°C)

286

Boiling point (°C)

377

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

185

(closed cup)

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

3.31 X 10⁰³

Calculated

Log P

3.52

High

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Soluble

Data type

Regulatory data - observed in metabolism and farm animal feeding studies

Density (g ml⁻¹)

1.44

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

7.4

Weak acid

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

5.00 X 10^-03

Low volatility

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

3.50 X 10^-05

Non-volatile

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)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

DT₅₀ modelling endpoint

Note

Best available data

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

Stable

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)

Slightly mobile

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

3215

Notes and range

Best available data

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)

Rat

(ppm diet)

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 2000

Coturnix japonica

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)

> 1000

Eisenia foetida

Low

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

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)

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)

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)

> 72

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Moderate

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)

> 10

Daphnia magna

Moderate

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)

> 0.942

Americamysis bahia

Moderate

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 - Acute 7 day EC₅₀, biomass (mg l⁻¹)

0.2

Lemna gibba 7 day

Moderate

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

Scenedesmus subspicatus

Moderate

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)

> 5000

Rat

Low

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

5000

Rat

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

1.33

Rat 4 hr

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

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

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

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

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

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

IARC Group 2B carcinogen; CLP data - known human carcinogen
May be harmful by ingestion, inhalation and through skin contact
May cause dermatitis

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

No information available

CLP classification 2013

Health: H350

WHO Classification

U (Unlikely to present an acute hazard)

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

anthraquinone

French

anthraquinone

German

Anthrachinon

Danish

anthraquinon

Italian

antrachinone

Spanish

antraquinona

Greek

Polish

antrachinon

Swedish

Hungarian

antrachinon

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	12/06/2024
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