Esfenvalerate (Ref: OMS 3023)

Esfenvalerate (Ref: OMS 3023)	Last updated: 03/06/2025
(Also known as: fenvalerate-U; DPX YB656; S-5602-alpha)

SUMMARY

Esfenvalerate is a pyrethroid insecticide which is currently approved for use in both the UK and the EU. It is highly soluble in most organic solvents but not in water. It is considered moderately persistent in soil and is non-mobile. Based on its physico-chemical parameters, esfenvalerate is not expected to leach to groundwater. It demonstrates a high level of toxicity to mammals, earthworms, honeybees and aquatic life. Limited data is available on its toxicity to humans it is considered highly toxic via the oral route and is a reproduction/developmental toxin.

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: Potential for particle bound transport: Medium	Ecotoxicity High alert: Fish acute ecotoxicity: High; Fish chronic ecotoxicity: High; Daphnia acute ecotoxicity: High; Daphnia chronic ecotoxicity: High; Bees acute contact ecotoxicity: High; Bees acute oral ecotoxicity: High; Earthworms acute ecotoxicity: High	Human health High alert: Mammals acute toxicity: High; Mammals chronic toxicity: High; Reproduction/development effects

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A pyrethroid insecticide especially effective against Coleoptera, Diptera and Hemiptera

Example pests controlled

Aphids; BYDV vectors; Ticks; Fleas; Cucumber beetles; Carpenter ants; Cockroaches; Crickets; Earwigs; Millipedes; Silverfish; Sowbugs; Scorpions

Example applications

Potatoes; Peas & beans; Curcubits; Grassland; Cereals including wheat, barley; Ornamentals; Non-agricultural situations such as schools, industrial sites, public buildings

Efficacy & activity

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

1979 & 1985, first reported; 1987, first marketed

GB regulatory status

GB COPR regulatory status

Approved

Date COPR inclusion expires

31/12/2025

GB LERAP status

Cat A

EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)

EC Regulation 1107/2009 status

Approved

Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur

United Kingdom/Portugal

Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires

31/05/2026

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

Also used in

Australia; USA; Egypt

Chemical structure

Isomerism

A mixture of four stereoisomers (S,S-; R,S-; S,R-; R,R-)

Chemical formula

C₂₅H₂₂ClNO₃

Canonical SMILES

CC(C)C(C1=CC=C(C=C1)Cl)C(=O)OC(C#N)C2=CC(=CC=C2)OC3=CC=CC=C3

Isomeric SMILES

CC(C)[C@@H](C1=CC=C(C=C1)Cl)C(=O)O[C@H](C#N)C2=CC(=CC=C2)OC3=CC=CC=C3

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

NYPJDWWKZLNGGM-RPWUZVMVSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C25H22ClNO3/c1-17(2)24(18-11-13-20(26)14-12-18)25(28)30-23(16-27)19-7-6-10-22(15-19)29-21-8-4-3-5-9-21/h3-15,17,23-24H,1-2H3/t23-,24+/m0/s1

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Pesticide type

Insecticide; Other substance

Other bioactivity & uses

Biocide; Wood preservative

Substance groups

Pyrethroid insecticide

Minimum active substance purity

830 g kg⁻¹

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

Contact and stomach action. Sodium channel modulator.

CAS RN

66230-04-4

EC number

613-911-9

CIPAC number

481

US EPA chemical code

109303

PubChem CID

10342051

CLP index number

608-058-00-4

Molecular mass

419.91

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

(S)-cyano(3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl (2S)-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutanoate

IUPAC name

(S)-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl (S)-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutyrate

CAS name

(S)-cyano(3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl (αS)-4-chloro-α-(1-methylethyl)benzeneacetate

Other status information

Severe Marine Pollutant

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)

Fungicide Resistance Class (FRAC MOA class)

Not applicable

Examples of recorded resistance

Aphis gossypii, Earias vittella, Heliothis virescens, Plutella xylostella, Scirtothrips citri, Blattella germanica, many others

Physical state

Amber solid

Related substances & organisms

fenvalerate

brofenvalerate

Formulations

Property

Value

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

BASF
Greencrop
Standon

Example products using this active

Sumi-Alpha
Hounddog
Sven
Asana
Esfenvalerate 5EC

Formulation and application details

Often supplied as an emulsifiable 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)

0.001

Low

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

26000

n-Hexane

82000

Methanol

500000

Acetone

Melting point (°C)

59.1

Boiling point (°C)

356

Degradation point (°C)

356

Decomposes on boiling

Flashpoint (°C)

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

1.74 X 10⁰⁶

Calculated

Log P

6.24

High

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Soluble

Data type

Regulatory data - observed in metabolism and farm animal feeding studies

Density (g ml⁻¹)

1.23

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Not applicable

No dissociation

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

1.17 X 10^-06

Low volatility

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

4.92 X 10^-04

Non-volatile

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Acid: 277nm=2242.6
Neutral: 277.1nm=2237
Basic: 223,6nm=31353, 305.3nm=1247.7

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

General biodegradability

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

66.6

Moderately persistent

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

66.6

Moderately persistent

DT₅₀ (field)

19.2

Non-persistent

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

249

Persistent

DT₉₀ (field)

125.2

DT₅₀ modelling endpoint

Note

EU dossier Lab studies DT₅₀ range 36.5 - 198.7 days, DT₉₀ range 90 - 439 days, Field studies DT₅₀ range 0.3 - 38.8 days, DT₉₀ range 31.3 - 259 days

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on plant matrix

Value

2.0

Note

Published literature RL₅₀ range 1.0-3.5 days, 2 field crops, various matrices, n=3

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on and in plant matrix

Value

Note

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Moderately fast

Note

DT₅₀ 10 days in natural sunlight and pure water, 6 days in artifical sunlight and sterilised water

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

Value

428

Very persistent

Note

pH4 stable, pH9 5.3 days

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Moderately fast

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Stable

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)

4075

Non-mobile

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

251717

Notes and range

EU dossier K_d range 600-15500 mL g⁻¹, K_oc range 85700 - 596200 mL g⁻¹

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

-1.80

Calculated

Low leachability

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

Value

5.35 X 10^-03

Calculated

Note

Estimated concentrations of chemicals with Koc values greater than 9995 ml g⁻¹ are beyond the scope of the regression data used in SCI-GROW development. If there are concerns for such chemicals, a higher tier groundwater exposure assessment should be considered, regardless of the concentration returned by SCI-GROW

Potential for particle bound transport index

Medium

Calculated

Potential for loss via drain flow

Non-mobile

Calculated

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

11.52

Calculated using the Atkinson method. Assumed 1.5E+06 OH/cm³, 12 hr

Below the level of concern for long-range air transport

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

3250

Threshold for concern

CT₅₀ (days)

Not available

Known soil metabolites

Metabolite

Major/Minor fraction

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

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

Notes

3-phenoxybenzoic acid

Major fraction

0.271

(2RS)-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutanoic acid

Major fraction

0.444

(2RS,3RS)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-methyl-2-(3-phenoxyphenyl)pentanenitrile

Photolysis

(1RS)-2-amino-2-oxo-1-(3-phenoxyphenyl)ethyl (Ref: SD 47117)

Major fraction

0.320

Known groundwater metabolites

Metabolite

EC SANCO/221/2000 relevancy

ADI (mg kg⁻¹ bodyweight day⁻¹)

WHO drinking water guidance value (μg L⁻¹ day⁻¹)

(2RS)-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutanoic acid

Relevancy unknown

(2RS,3RS)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-methyl-2-(3-phenoxyphenyl)pentanenitrile

Relevancy unknown

(1RS)-2-amino-2-oxo-1-(3-phenoxyphenyl)ethyl (Ref: SD 47117)

Relevancy unknown

3-phenoxybenzoic acid

Relevancy unknown

Other known metabolites

Metabolite name and reference

Aliases

Formation medium / Rate

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

(2RS,3RS)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-methyl-2-(3-phenoxyphenyl)pentanenitrile

Dec-Fen

Plant; Surface water; Sediment

N-[(1RS)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-methylpropyl]-2-(3-phenoxyphenyl)acetamid

PA-fen

Surface water; Sediment

3-phenoxybenzaldehyde

PBald

Water (hydrolysis)

2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutanamide

CPIA-carboxamide

Water (hydrolysis)

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

88.5

Rat

High

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

5.0

Rat

High

(ppm diet)

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

Rat Reproductive NOAEL

High

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

1312

Colinus virginianus

Moderate

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

> 5000 ppm

Colinus virginianus as fenvalerate

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

18.7

Colinus virginianus NOEC

Moderate

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

5.3

Eisenia foetida corr

High

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

0.55

Eisenia foetida corr

Moderate

Soil micro-organisms

Nitrogen mineralisation: No significant adverse effect
Dehydrogenase activity: Acceptable risk

Dose: 1.28 kg ha⁻¹

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

0.4

Folsomia candida

Non-target plants

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

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

0.07

Apis mellifera

High

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

0.21

Apis mellifera

High

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) as Mortality LR₅₀ g ha⁻¹

0.291

Coccinella septempunctata Larva

Beneficial insects (Lacewings) as Mortality, Contact LD₅₀ g l⁻¹

> 0.1

Chrysoperla carnea Larva

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

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

> 0.084

Typhlodromus pyri

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)

0.0001

Unknown species

High

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

0.00025

Oncorhynchus mykiss

High

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

0.00002

Danio rerio Embryo

High

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

0.00027

Daphnia magna

High

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

0.000052

Daphnia magna

High

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

0.00015

Ceriodaphnia dubia

High

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

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

0.00013

Chironomus riparius

High

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

0.16

Chironomus riparius

Moderate

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

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

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth) - Acute 14 day EC₅₀, biomass (mg l⁻¹)

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

0.0065

Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata

High

Algae - Chronic 96 hour NOEC, growth (mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

0.00008

Fish and aquatic invertebrates

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

0.00025

Fish (NOEC)

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)

88.5

Rat

High

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

5000

Rat

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 0.48

Rat

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

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

0.0175

Rat SF=100

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

0.0175

Rat SF=100

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

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

0.011

Rat SF=100

Dermal penetration studies (%)

3-13%

concentration dependent

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Minimal risk from dietary exposure
Risk assessment indicates ARfD would not normally be execeeded

Occupational

PPE/PPC required

MRLs

European

EU MRL pesticide database

Great Britain

GB MRL Register

Notes

Drinking Water Standards

Drinking Water MAC (μg l⁻¹)

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

Highly toxic
Some studies point to endocrine effects
May cause nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain if ingested

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

IMDG Transport Hazard Class 6.1
Not explosive or oxidising
Not expected to auto-ignite; Flammable

CLP classification 2013

Health: H301, H317, H331, Environment: H400, H410

WHO Classification

II (Moderately hazardous)

UN Number

UN2811

Waste disposal & packaging

Packaging Group III (minor danger)

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

Chemically stable under standard ambient conditions

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

esfenvalerate

French

esfenvalerate

German

Esfenvalerat

Danish

esfenvalerat

Italian

esfenvalerate

Spanish

esfenvalerato

Greek

esfenvalerate

Polish

esfenwalerat

Swedish

esfenvalerat

Hungarian

eszfenualerat

Dutch

esfenvaleraat

Norwegian

Record last updated:	03/06/2025
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