Cyanamide (Ref: LH 21,810A)

Cyanamide (Ref: LH 21,810A)	Last updated: 14/06/2024
(Also known as: amidocyanogen; carbanonitrile; aminoformonitrile; cyanogenamide; hydrogen cyanamide; carbodiimide)

SUMMARY

Cyanamide, sometimes referred to as hydrogen cyanamide, is a plant growth regulator. It is highly soluble in water, is volatile and would not normally be expected to leach to groundwater. It is not persistent in soil systems but could be persistent in water under certain conditions. Cyanamide is moderately toxic to mammals, is an irritant and has a high potential for bio-concentration. It is moderately toxic to birds, fish, aquatic invertebrates, aquatic fauna, honeybees and earthworms.

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 High alert: Drainflow: Very mobile	Ecotoxicity Moderate alert: Birds acute ecotoxicity: Moderate; Fish acute ecotoxicity: Moderate; Fish chronic ecotoxicity: Moderate; Daphnia acute ecotoxicity: Moderate; Daphnia chronic ecotoxicity: Moderate; Bees acute unknown ecotoxicity: Moderate; Earthworms acute ecotoxicity: Moderate	Human health Moderate alert: Mammals acute toxicity: Moderate; Possible Carcinogen; Reproduction/development effects

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A plant growth regulator to promote bud break

Example pests controlled

Growth

Example applications

Fruit including blueberries, grapevines, apples, cherries, kiwi, peaches, nectarines; Onions, leeks, shallots, garlic & chives

Efficacy & activity

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

2005, first registration US

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

Germany

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

Also used in

Australia, USA, Morocco

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Isomeric - the most stable cyanamide isomer is carbodiimide (HNCNH)

Chemical formula

CH₂N₂

Canonical SMILES

C(#N)N

Isomeric SMILES

N#CN

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

XZMCDFZZKTWFGF-UHFFFAOYSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/CH2N2/c2-1-3/h2H2

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams

Common Name	Relationship	Link
cyanamide	-

General status

Pesticide type

Plant Growth Regulator

Substance groups

Nitrile PGR

Minimum active substance purity

488 g kg⁻¹

Known relevant impurities

EU dossier - None declared

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

Contact. Inhibits photosynthesis.

CAS RN

420-04-2

EC number

206-992-3

CIPAC number

685

US EPA chemical code

014002

PubChem CID

9864

CLP index number

No data found

Molecular mass

42.04

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

cyanamide

IUPAC name

cyanamide

CAS name

hydrogen cyanamide

Other status information

Chemical subject to PIC regulations; Potential groundwater contaminant

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Herbicide Resistance Class (HRAC MoA class)

Not known

Herbicide Resistance Class (WSSA MoA class)

Not known

Insecticide Resistance Class (IRAC MoA class)

Not applicable

Fungicide Resistance Class (FRAC MOA class)

Not applicable

Examples of recorded resistance

Physical state

Colourless solid

Formulations

Property

Value

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

Degussa AG
SKW Trostberg

Example products using this active

Alzodef
Dormex
Hi-Cane
Pudpro

Formulation and application details

Usually supplied as a soluble concentrate that is mixed with water and applied as a spray

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

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

560000

High

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

210000

Acetone

210000

Methanol

2.4

n-Hexane

670

Toluene

Melting point (°C)

46.1

Boiling point (°C)

Decomposed before boiling

Degradation point (°C)

141

Flashpoint (°C)

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

1.91 X 10^-01

Calculated

Log P

-0.72

Low

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Likely to be insoluble

Data type

Regulatory data based on LogP

Density (g ml⁻¹)

1.23

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Not applicable

No dissociation

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

510

Highly volatile. If applied directly to plants or soil, drift is a concern & mitigation is advisable

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

2.68 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

No maxima above 290nm

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

72.86

at 20°C

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)

1.4

Non-persistent

DT₅₀ (field)

0.9

Non-persistent

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

7.0

Non-persistent

DT₉₀ (field)

DT₅₀ modelling endpoint

Note

Lab studies DT₅₀ range 0.7-4.56 days, DT₉₀ range 1.94-17.7 days; field studies DT₅₀ range 0.29-1.63 days, 2 locations, DT₉₀ ~ 2 weeks

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

38.5

Stable

Note

Quicker in sunlight and under acidic conditions

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

2300

Very persistent

Note

pH and temperature sensitive: DT₅₀ 1200 days at pH 5 and 22 °C, 2.5 days at pH 5 and 80 °C, 810 days at pH 9 and 22 °C, 7.2 hours at pH 9 and 80 °C

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

3.7

Fast

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

3.3

Moderately fast

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)

0.05

Very mobile

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

4.4

Notes and range

EU dossier K_d range 0-0.092 mL.g, K_oc range 0-6.81 mL g⁻¹, Soils=4

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

-0.15

Calculated

Low leachability

SCI-GROW groundwater index (μg l⁻¹) for a 1 kg ha⁻¹ or 1 l ha⁻¹ application rate

Value

1.66 X 10^-03

Calculated

Note

Potential for particle bound transport index

Low

Calculated

Potential for loss via drain flow

Very mobile

Calculated

Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀ (hrs) as indicator of long-range air transport risk

19920000000000

Calculated using the Atkinson method

Substance of concern for long-range air transport

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

Low risk

Based on LogP < 3

Low risk

CT₅₀ (days)

No data

Known soil metabolites

Metabolite

Major/Minor fraction

$Click here for further information on Major/Minor fraction$

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

Notes

dicyandiamide

Minor fraction

Anaerobic

guanylurea

Minor fraction

Anaerobic

guanidine

Minor fraction

Anaerobic

urea

Minor fraction

groundwater

Known groundwater metabolites

None

Other known metabolites

Metabolite name and reference

Aliases

Formation medium / Rate

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

N-acetylcyanamide

Rat (Urine)

urea

Surface water; Sediment

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 142

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

1.5

Rat

High

(ppm diet)

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

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

350

Colinus virginianus

Moderate

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

> 5000 mg kg feed⁻¹

Colinus virginianus

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

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

> 111.6

Moderate

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

Soil micro-organisms

Nitrogen mineralisation: No significant adverse effect [Dose: 98 kg ha⁻¹, 42 days]
Carbon mineralisation: No significant adverse effect [Dose: 100 kg ha⁻¹, 28 days]

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

671

Allium cepa
Seedling emergence, ER₅₀
as g ha⁻¹

3540

Lycopersicum lycopersicum
Vegetative vigour, ER₅₀
as g ha⁻¹

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)

> 10

Apis mellifera

Moderate

Chronic

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) as Mortality LR₅₀ g ha⁻¹

3400

Chrysoperla carnea

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps) as Mortality LR₅₀ g ha⁻¹ 14 day

432.1

Aphidius rhopalosiphi Adult

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites) as Mortality LR₅₀ g ha⁻¹ 14 day

445.6

Typhlodromus pyri Protonymph

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles) as % Mortality at dose 20 kg ha⁻¹

Poecilus cupreus

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

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

43.1

Lepomis macrochirus

Moderate

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

3.7

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Moderate

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

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

3.2

Daphnia magna

Moderate

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

0.10

Daphnia magna

Moderate

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

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

6.3

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)

18.4

Chironomus riparius Emergence

Low

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic plants - Acute 7 day EC₅₀, biomass (mg l⁻¹)

2.4

Lemna gibba

Moderate

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

6.7

Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata

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)

> 142

Rat

Moderate

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

848

Rabbit

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 1.0

Rat 4 hr (whole body)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

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

0.002

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

0.05

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

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

0.002

Dermal penetration studies (%)

5-100

concentration dependent

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Minimal risk from dietary exposure

Occupational

Exposure possible via ingestion or inhalation

MRLs

European

EU MRL pesticide database

Great Britain

GB MRL Register

Notes

Drinking Water Standards

Drinking Water MAC (μg l⁻¹)

0.1

EU Dir 89/778/EC limit

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

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

Toxic if swallowed or in contact with skin
Potential for vomiting, parasympathetic hyperactivity, dyspnea, hypotension and tachycardia
US EPA - possible human carcinogen

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Prevent generation of dust
Avoid all contact
Reacts with acids to produce very toxic gas
Not explosive
Hygroscopic,IMDG Transport Hazard Class 6.1
Not expected to auto-ignite; Not highly flammable. Incompatible with oxidising agents

CLP classification 2013

Health: H301, H312, H315, H317, H319

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

UN2922

Waste disposal & packaging

Packaging Group III (minor danger)

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

Light sensitive

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

cyanamide

French

cyanamide calcique

German

Cyanamid

Danish

cyanamid

Italian

cianamide

Spanish

cyanamida; cianamida

Greek

carbanonitril

Polish

cyjanamid

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

cyaanamide

Norwegian

Record last updated:	14/06/2024
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