Bordeaux mixture

Bordeaux mixture	Last updated: 13/02/2026
(Also known as: Bordo mix; tricalcium tetracoppper sulphate)

SUMMARY

Bordeaux mixture is a copper sulfate/lime complex fungicide which also has some bactericide properties. It has a low aqueous solubility and is not volatile. It is not persistent in soil systems but can be stable in water. It is moderately toxic to most fauna and flora. Its mammalian oral toxicity is low but it is a probable eye irritant.

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
	Ecotoxicity Moderate alert: Birds acute ecotoxicity: Moderate; Fish acute ecotoxicity: Moderate; Daphnia acute ecotoxicity: Moderate; Daphnia chronic ecotoxicity: Moderate; Bees acute contact ecotoxicity: Moderate; Bees acute oral ecotoxicity: Moderate; Earthworms acute ecotoxicity: Moderate; Earthworms chronic ecotoxicity: Moderate	Human health Moderate alert: Mammals chronic toxicity: Moderate Warning: Significant data are missing	Highly Hazardous Pesticide (HHP) Type II alert

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A copper sulfate/lime complex fungicide which also has some bactericide properties

Example pests controlled

Downy mildew; Damping-off; Powdery mildew: Fire blight; Leaf curl; Blackspot

Example applications

Vines; Fruit including apples, pears, olives, peaches, nectarines; Walnuts; ornamentals including roses; Non-agricultural situations including domestic gardons and allotments

Efficacy & activity

Copper based products have been shown to be affective against many fungal pathogens in field trials.

Appearance and life cycle

Taxonomic classification

GB regulatory status

GB COPR regulatory status

Approved

Date COPR inclusion expires

31/12/2027

GB LERAP status

No data

EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)

EC Regulation 1107/2009 status

Approved

Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur

France/Germany

Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires

30/06/2029

EU Candidate for substitution (CfS)

Yes - two 'Persistent-Bioaccumulative-Toxic' criteria

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

Iran, Morocco

Chemical structure

Isomerism

None

Chemical formula

CuO₂H₂ + CaSO₄

Canonical SMILES

Isomeric SMILES

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Biopesticide type

Fungicide; Other substance

Other bioactivity & uses

Bactericide

Substance groups

Inorganic compound

Minimum active substance purity

>257 g kg⁻¹ total copper

Known relevant impurities

EU 2018 dossier: May contain heavy metals including Pb, Cd, As, Ni, CO, Sb & Hg

Substance origin

Semi-synthetic; Complex mixture

Mode of action

Contact and protectant. Prevents fungal spore germination.

Substance source

Bordeaux mixture does not occur naturally but its components do in various minerals

Mixture composition

Bordeaux mixture is a 50:50% mixture of copper sulphate and hydrated lime. These react to form a suspension of copper hydroxide and calcium sulphate. Hence, the active ingredient is copper hydroxide. Commercial “technical‑grade” unreacted Bordeaux mixture typically contains about 27% copper (as elemental Cu) on a dry‑weight basis. Once reacted 100g of Bordeaux mixture would form approximated 41.5% copper hydroxide.

Uses

Crop protection

Target pests

Downy mildew; Damping-off; Powdery mildew: Fire blight; Leaf curl; Blackspot

Target host

Vines; Fruit including apples, pears, olives, peaches, nectarines; Walnuts; ornamentals including roses; Non-agricultural situations including domestic gardons and allotments

Farming system suitability

CAS RN

8011-63-0

Alternative/old CAS RN

1333-22-8

EC number

616-932-1

CIPAC number

44.604

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

CLP index number

029-022-00-9

Molecular mass

860.5

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

mix, with or without stabilising agents, of calcium hydroxide and copper(II) sulphate

CAS name

bordeaux mixture

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

Yes []

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)

M01

Examples of recorded resistance

Physical state

Blue-green fine powder which is a mixture of naturally occurring inorganic substances

Related substances & organisms

copper II hydroxide

Burgundy mixture

Cheshunt mixture

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

1885, introduced

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

Law Fertilisers
AgriChem
Adama
Manica SpA

Example products using this active

Wetcol 3 Copper Fungicide
Bordocop
Bordoflow
Comac Macuprax
Tutor

Formulation and application details

Often supplied as a soluble concentrate but also available as concentrated suspensions, wettable dispersible granules and wettable powders.

Commercial production

Bordeaux mixture is commercially produced by combining copper(II) sulphate and hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide) in water. This reaction creates a suspension of copper hydroxide and calcium sulphate. The process involves dissolving copper sulphate in water, slaking quicklime with water to create a lime slurry, and then carefully mixing the two solutions.

Impact on climate of production and use

Data on GHG emissions for the commercial production of Bordeaux mixture will vary significantly depending on the processes involved. Manica, a leading producer of Bordeaux mixture, has conducted a detailed carbon footprint and concluded that less than 1 kg of CO₂e per kg of finished product is emitted. This includes emissions from raw materials, transportation, production, and packaging. Notably, however, the company uses regenerated copper sourced 100% from Itay, which significantly reduces the environmental cost.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

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

2.2

Low

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

9.6

Toluene

9.8

Dichloromethane

9.8

n-Hexane

8.8

Acetone

Melting point (°C)

400

Boiling point (°C)

Decomposes before boiling

Degradation point (°C)

110

Flashpoint (°C)

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

2.75 X 10⁰⁰

Calculated

Log P

0.44

Low

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Not applicable

No dissociation

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

3.40 X 10^-10

at 25 °C

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

Acidic soln: 205nm=5923, 250nm=3119, 800nm=70, 290nm=520, 295nm=398

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

68.9

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

General biodegradability

Not biodegradable

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

10000

Very persistent

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

DT₅₀ modelling endpoint

Note

EU 2018 dossier: No degradation expected

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

Stable

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)

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)

> 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)

4.0

Rat 2-yr as copper

Moderate

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 616

Colinus virginianus as copper

Moderate

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

> 334.1

Colinus virginianus

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

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

> 195.5

Moderate

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

< 15

Eisenia foetida as copper

Moderate

Soil micro-organisms

Nitrogen mineralisation: No significant adverse effect
Carbon mineralisation: No significant adverse effect

Dose: 20 kg Cu/ha; 28 Day

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)

> 25.2

Apis mellifera

Moderate

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

> 23.3

Apis mellifera

Moderate

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 Cu/ha, Std lab test

> 14700

Aphidius rhopalosiphi

Low

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites) as Mortality LR₅₀ g Cu/ha, Std lab test

> 13200

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)

21.39

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Moderate

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

22.5

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Low

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

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

1.87

Daphnia magna

Moderate

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

0.02

Daphnia magna

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) (EC₅₀)

0.145

Lemna minor

Moderate

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

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹) (72 hr ErC₅₀, Static)

0.041

Raphidocelis subcapitata

Moderate

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

0.8

Worst case of acute and chronic mammals

Birds

61.6

Worst case of acute and chronic birds

Soil organisms

Worst case of acute and chronic earthworms

Terrestrial plants

No data

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

Pollinators

0.466

Worst case of contact and oral honeybees

Arthropods

6600

Worst case of parasitic wasps and predatory mites

Fish

0.2139

Worst case of temperate acute and chronic fish

Aquatic invertebrates

0.002

Worst case of temperate acute and chronic aquatic invertebrates

Aquatic plants

0.0041

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)

Not applicable

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)

4.0

Rat 2-yr as copper

Moderate

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

> 2000

Rat

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

1.97

Rat 4 hr (whole body)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

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

None allocated

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

None allocated

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

None allocated

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

None allocated

Dermal penetration studies (%)

1-9

concentration dependent

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

List II

Exposure Routes

Public

Negligible risk to bystanders for proposed uses

Occupational

Acceptable risk to operators and workers for proposed uses with PPE/PPC

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Health issues

Specific human health issues (hazard-based)

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

No data found

; ; ; ;

No data found

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

No data found

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

No further information available

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

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

CLP classification 2013

Health: H318, H332

WHO Classification

II (Moderately hazardous)

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

Bordeaux mixture

French

Bouillie bordelaise

German

Bordeauxbrühe

Danish

bordeauxvæske

Italian

poltiglia bordolese

Spanish

cobre de sulfato tribeisico

Greek

Polish

mieszanina Bordeaux

Swedish

Hungarian

Bordeau

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	13/02/2026
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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