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Pentachlorophenol
Last updated: 13/11/2024
(Also known as: PCP; penchlorol; chlorophen)
SUMMARY
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:
GUS: High leachability; Drainflow: 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 contact ecotoxicity: Moderate; Earthworms acute ecotoxicity: Moderate; Earthworms chronic ecotoxicity: Moderate
Human health
High alert:
Mammals acute toxicity: High; Endocrine disrupter; Reproduction/development effects; Neurotoxicant
GENERAL INFORMATION
Description
A multi-action pesticide used to control wood boring insects, wood fungal rots and as a general herbicide
Example pests controlled
Defoliant; Wood-damaging insects including termites; Timber rot
Example applications
Cotton; Utility wood structures such as railway sleepers, utility poles, fencing
Efficacy & activity
-
Availability status
Unknown
Introduction & key dates
circa 1936, introduced
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
Not applicable
Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires
Expired
EU Candidate for substitution (CfS)
-
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
-
Chemical structure
Isomerism
None
Chemical formula
C₆HCl₅O
Canonical SMILES
C1(=C(C(=C(C(=C1Cl)Cl)Cl)Cl)Cl)O
Isomeric SMILES
No data
International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)
IZUPBVBPLAPZRR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
International Chemical Identifier (InChI)
InChI=1S/C6HCl5O/c7-1-2(8)4(10)6(12)5(11)3(1)9/h12H
2D structure diagram/image available?
Yes
Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams
Common Name Relationship Link
pentachlorophenol -
General status
Pesticide type
Insecticide, Herbicide, Fungicide, Molluscicide, Plant Growth Regulator, Other substance
Other bioactivity & uses
Wood preservative
Substance groups
Organochloride insecticide; Organochloride herbicide; Organochloride fungicide
Minimum active substance purity
-
Known relevant impurities
-
Substance origin
Synthetic
Mode of action
Accelerates aerobic metabolism and increases heat production
CAS RN
87-86-5
EC number
201-778-6
CIPAC number
106
US EPA chemical code
063001
PubChem CID
992
CLP index number
604-002-00-8
Molecular mass
266.34
PIN (Preferred Identification Name)
-
IUPAC name
pentachlorophenol
CAS name
pentachlorophenol
Other status information
WFD priority substance; Regulated POP; Severe Marine Pollutant; Rotterdam Convention (Class Ib) - subject to PIC regulations; UK non-statutory standard for dry soil: <0.06 mg/Kg
Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards
EU Directive 2008/105/EC EQS surface waters: annual average 0.4 µg l⁻¹; max measured 1.0 µg l⁻¹
UK statutory standard for the protection of aquatic life: annual average for inland, coastal and territorial waters: 2 µg l⁻¹
Herbicide Resistance Class (HRAC MoA class)
Not known
Herbicide Resistance Class (WSSA MoA class)
Not known
Insecticide Resistance Class (IRAC MoA class)
2A
Fungicide Resistance Class (FRAC MOA class)
Not known
Examples of recorded resistance
-
Physical state
Colourless crystals
Formulations
Property
Value
Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically
-
Example products using this active
-
Formulation and application details
-
ENVIRONMENTAL FATE
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)
1000
P4 P = Other non-EU, UK or US Governments and Regulators
4 = Verified data
 High
Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)
500000
P4 P = Other non-EU, UK or US Governments and Regulators
4 = Verified data
Acetone		 -
150000
P4 P = Other non-EU, UK or US Governments and Regulators
4 = Verified data
Benzene		 -
1800000
P4 P = Other non-EU, UK or US Governments and Regulators
4 = Verified data
Methanol		 -
12000000
P4 P = Other non-EU, UK or US Governments and Regulators
4 = Verified data
Ethanol		 -
Melting point (°C)
191
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Boiling point (°C)
Decomposes before boiling
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Degradation point (°C)
309
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Flashpoint (°C)
- - -
Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C
P
2.09 X 1003 Calculated -
Log P
3.32
B5 B = UK CRD and ACP Evaluation Documents / and other DEFRA (UK) documents; Also Chemicals Regulation Division, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), UK (click here )
5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
 High
Fat solubility of residues
Solubility
Likely to be soluble
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Data type
Based on chemical group
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Density (g ml⁻¹)
1.99
B5 B = UK CRD and ACP Evaluation Documents / and other DEFRA (UK) documents; Also Chemicals Regulation Division, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), UK (click here )
5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
 -
Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C
4.73
DW4 DW = Don Wauchope personal database for Pka data: Wauchope, R. D. and Edwards, J. Dissociation constants for pesticide active ingredients: a database and comparison with predicted values. Dataset is no longer available.
4 = Verified data
 -
Weak acid
Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)
16000
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 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)
4.30 X 10-01
H4 H = The US ARS pesticide properties database. Dataset is no longer available.
4 = Verified data
 Moderately 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)
63
B5 B = UK CRD and ACP Evaluation Documents / and other DEFRA (UK) documents; Also Chemicals Regulation Division, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), UK (click here )
5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
 Moderately persistent
DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)
48
F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Moderately persistent
DT₅₀ (field)
- - -
DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)
- - -
DT₉₀ (field)
- - -
DT₅₀ modelling endpoint
- - -
Note
Data DT₅₀ range 46-63 days
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
0.03
B5 B = UK CRD and ACP Evaluation Documents / and other DEFRA (UK) documents; Also Chemicals Regulation Division, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), UK (click here )
5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
 Fast
Note
-
Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7
Value
Stable
B5 B = UK CRD and ACP Evaluation Documents / and other DEFRA (UK) documents; Also Chemicals Regulation Division, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), UK (click here )
5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
 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
Kd (mL g⁻¹)
-
G3 G = Extension Toxicology network database EXTOXNET. Available online but no longer updated. (click here )
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Mobile
Koc (mL g⁻¹)
30
Notes and range
-
Freundlich
Kf (mL g⁻¹)
- - -
Kfoc (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
4.24 Calculated High leachability
SCI-GROW groundwater index (μg l⁻¹) for a 1 kg ha⁻¹ or 1 l ha⁻¹ application rate
Value
1.43 X 1000 Calculated -
Note
-
Potential for particle bound transport index
Medium Calculated -
Potential for loss via drain flow
Mobile Calculated -
Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀ (hrs) as indicator of long-range air transport risk
- - -
Bio-concentration factor
BCF (l kg⁻¹)
216
F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source
Whole body (Other literature values Log BCF range 1.2-3.2 (R3))		 Threshold for concern
CT₅₀ (days)
Not available -
Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY
Terrestrial ecotoxicology
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
80
B5 B = UK CRD and ACP Evaluation Documents / and other DEFRA (UK) documents; Also Chemicals Regulation Division, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), UK (click here )
5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
Rat		 High
Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL
(mg kg⁻¹)
3.9
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Rat		 High
(ppm diet)
- -
Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
- - -
Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
> 380
G4 G = Extension Toxicology network database EXTOXNET. Available online but no longer updated. (click here )
4 = Verified data
Anas platyrhynchos		 Moderate
Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)
- - -
Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
- - -
Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
48
F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data
Eisenia foetida		 Moderate
Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)
10
F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data
Eisenia foetida		 Moderate
Soil micro-organisms
- - -
Collembola
Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
64.0
A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications )
5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
Folsomia candida 33 day		 -
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)
48
F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data
Apis mellifera		 Moderate
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)
> 0.17
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Oncorhynchus mykiss		 Moderate
Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)
0.05
P4 P = Other non-EU, UK or US Governments and Regulators
4 = Verified data
Carassius auratus		 Moderate
Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
0.45
F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data
Danio rerio		 Moderate
Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
> 0.45
F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data
Daphnia magna		 Moderate
Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)
> 0.18
P4 P = Other non-EU, UK or US Governments and Regulators
4 = Verified data
Daphnia magna		 Moderate
Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
0.2
F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data
Ceriodaphnia dubia		 Moderate
Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
0.11
F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source
Chironomus riparius 2 day		 Moderate
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)
0.12
F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source
Lemna gibba		 Moderate
Algae - Acute 72 hour EC₅₀, growth (mg l⁻¹)
0.08
F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data
Scenedesmus quadricauda		 Moderate
Algae - Chronic 96 hour NOEC, growth (mg l⁻¹)
> 0.4
P3 P = Other non-EU, UK or US Governments and Regulators
3 = Unverified data of known source
Chlorella pyrenoidosa		 Moderate
Mesocosm study data
NOEAEC mg l⁻¹
- - -
NOEAEC mg l⁻¹
- - -
Marine bivalves – NOEC, mortality (mg l⁻¹)
0.53
F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data
Crassostrea gigas		 -
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)
80
B5 B = UK CRD and ACP Evaluation Documents / and other DEFRA (UK) documents; Also Chemicals Regulation Division, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), UK (click here )
5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
Rat		 High
Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)
105
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Rat		 -
Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
0.355
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Rat		 -
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
List I; List II - -
Exposure Routes
Public
-
Occupational
Readily absorbed through the skin
MRLs
European
EU MRL pesticide database 
Great Britain
GB MRL Register 
Notes
-
Drinking Water Standards
Non-statutory WHO drinking water guideline 0.009 mg l⁻¹
B5 B = UK CRD and ACP Evaluation Documents / and other DEFRA (UK) documents; Also Chemicals Regulation Division, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), UK (click here )
5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
UK EA QS database 2018		 -
Drinking Water MAC (μg l⁻¹)
- - -
Mammalian dose elimination route and rate
- - -
Health issues
Specific human health issues
Carcinogen
Genotoxic
Endocrine disruptor
?Possibly, status not identified
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
;
E3 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source)
3 = Negative
✓Yes, known 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
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
 No data found
Eye irritant Phototoxicant  
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
 No data found  
General human health issues
Liver and thyroid toxicant
Heart failure may occur following acute inhalation
Bioaccumulates
IARC Group 2B carcinogen; US NTP - suspected carcinogen; CLP data - suspected carcingen; US EPA - possible human carcinogen
Endocrine issues - weak estrogenic and anti-androgenic affect
Handling issues
Property
Value and interpretation
General
Prevent generation of dust
Not expected to auto-ignite; Not highly flammable
IMDG Transport Hazard Class 6.1
CLP classification 2013
Health: H301, H311, H315, H319, H330, H335, H351
Environment: H400, H410
WHO Classification
Ib (Highly hazardous)
UN Number
UN3155
Waste disposal & packaging
Packaging Group II (moderate danger)
Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity
-
TRANSLATIONS
Language
Name
English
pentachlorophenol
French
pentachlorophénol
German
Pentachlorphenol
Danish
pentachlorphenol
Italian
pentaclorofenolo
Spanish
pentaclorofenato
Greek
-
Polish
pentachlorofenol
Swedish
-
Hungarian
-
Dutch
pentachloorfenol
Norwegian
-
Record last updated: 13/11/2024
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