Peroxyacetic acid	Last updated: 26/02/2021
(Also known as: PAA; ethaneperoxoic acid; acetyl hydroperoxide; peracetic acid)

---

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: Drainflow: Very mobile Warning: Significant data are missing	Ecotoxicity Moderate alert: Fish chronic ecotoxicity: Moderate Warning: Significant data are missing	Human health Moderate alert: Mammals acute toxicity: Moderate Warning: Significant data are missing

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description	A commodity substance used as an agricultural fungicide/nematicide and as a disinfectant for plant protection purposes
Example pests controlled	Algae; Downy mildew; Fusarium root rot; Powdery mildew; Rusts; Scabs; Smuts; Grey moulds
Example applications	Fruit and vegetable storage; Ornamentals; Turf
Efficacy & activity	-
Availability status	Current
Introduction & key dates	circa 1985, registered as an antimicrobial agent

UK regulatory status

UK COPR regulatory status	Not approved
Date COPR inclusion expires	Expired
UK LERAP status	None

EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)

EC Regulation 1107/2009 status	Not applicable - not a ppp. May be authorised at national level under different legislation
Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur	Not applicable
Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires	Not applicable
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

Also used in

Also used in	-

Chemical structure

Isomerism	None
Chemical formula	C₂H₄O₃
Canonical SMILES	CC(=O)OO
Isomeric SMILES	No data
International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)	KFSLWBXXFJQRDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N
International Chemical Identifier (InChI)	InChI=1S/C2H4O3/c1-2(3)5-4/h4H,1H3
2D structure diagram/image available?	Yes

General status

Pesticide type	Fungicide, Nematicide, Microbiocide
Substance group	Inorganic compound
Minimum active substance purity	-
Known relevant impurities	-
Substance origin	Synthetic
Mode of action	Broad-spectrum, contact action, effect arises from the corrosive nature of the substance
CAS RN	79-21-0
EC number	201-186-8
CIPAC number	-
US EPA chemical code	063201
PubChem CID	6585
Molecular mass	76.05
PIN (Preferred Identification Name)	-
IUPAC name	peroxyacetic acid
CAS name	peracetic acid
Other status information	-
Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards	-
Herbicide Resistance Classification (HRAC)	Not applicable
Herbicide Resistance Classification (WSSA)	Not applicable
Insecticide Resistance Classification (IRAC)	Not applicable
Fungicide Resistance Classification (FRAC)	Not applicable
Examples of recorded resistance	-
Physical state	Colourless liquid

Formulations

Property	Value
Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically	Desoxon 1 Osbon AC Rendition
Example products using this active	Certis
Formulation and application details	-

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property		Value	Source; quality score; and other information	Interpretation
Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)		1000000	V3 V = ChemID online databases / IPCS INCHEM (ChemID; IPCS INCHEM ) 3 = Unverified data of known source at 25 °C	High
Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)		-	-	-
Melting point (°C)		0.1	Q3 Q = Miscellaneous internet resources 3 = Unverified data of known source	-
Boiling point (°C)		-	-	-
Degradation point (°C)		-	-	-
Flashpoint (°C)		-	-	-
Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C	P	8.13 X 10-02	Calculated	-
	Log P	-1.09	R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications 3 = Unverified data of known source	Low
Bulk density (g ml⁻¹)		1.226	Q3 Q = Miscellaneous internet resources 3 = Unverified data of known source	-
Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C		8.2	CA3 CA = Medical and toxicological databases and information systems e.g. TOXNET (click here ) 3 = Unverified data of known source	-
		Weak acid
Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)		190000	Q3 Q = Miscellaneous internet resources 3 = Unverified data of known source	Highly volatile
Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)		0.217	R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications 3 = Unverified data of known source	Moderately volatile
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)	-	-	-
	DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)	-	-	-
	DT₅₀ (field)	-	-	-
	DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)	-	-	-
	DT₉₀ (field)	-	-	-
	DT₅₀ modelling endpoint	-	-	-
	Note	-
Dissipation rate RL₅₀ on plant matrix	Value	-	-	-
	Note	-
Dissipation rate RL₅₀ 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	-	-	-
	Note	-
Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)		-	-	-
Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)		-	-	-

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property		Value	Source; quality score; and other information	Interpretation
Linear	Kd	-	R2 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications 2 = Unverified data of unknown source	Very mobile
	Koc	4
	Notes and range	Estimated
Freundlich	Kf	-	-	-
	Kfoc	-
	1/n	-
	Notes and range	-
pH sensitivity		-

Fate indices

Property		Value	Source; quality score; and other information	Interpretation
GUS leaching potential index		-	-	-
SCI-GROW groundwater index (μg l⁻¹) for a 1 kg ha⁻¹ or 1 l ha⁻¹ application rate	Value	Cannot be calculated	-	-
	Note	-
Potential for particle bound transport index		-	-	-
Potential for loss via drain flow		-	-	-

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Property		Value	Source; quality score; and other information	Interpretation
Bio-concentration factor	BCF (l kg⁻¹)	1	CA3 CA = Medical and toxicological databases and information systems e.g. TOXNET (click here ) 3 = Unverified data of known source	Low potential
	CT₅₀ (days)	Not available		-
Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)		> 1540	Q3 Q = Miscellaneous internet resources 3 = Unverified data of known source Rat	Moderate
Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL	(mg kg⁻¹)	-	-	-
	(ppm diet)	-		-
Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)		-	-	-
Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)		-	-	-
Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)		-	-	-
Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)		-	-	-
Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)		-	-	-
Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)		0.2	P4 P = Other governments and regulators 4 = Verified data Cyprinus carpio 30 days	Moderate
Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)		-	-	-
Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (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 - Acute 7 day EC₅₀, biomass (mg l⁻¹)		-	-	-
Non-target plants		-	-	-
		-	-	-
Algae - Acute 72 hour EC₅₀, growth (mg l⁻¹)		-	-	-
Algae - Chronic 96 hour NOEC, growth (mg l⁻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)	-	-	-
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 pollinators (1)	Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)	-	-	-
	Mode of exposure	-
Other pollinators (2)	Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)	-	-	-
	Mode of exposure	-
Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)		-	-	-
Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)		-	-	-
Other soil macro-organisms	Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)	-	-	-
	Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)	-	-	-
Other arthropod (1)	LR₅₀ g ha⁻¹	-	-	-
	% Effect	-	-	-
Other arthropod (2)	LR₅₀ g ha⁻¹	-	-	-
	% Effect	-	-	-
Soil micro-organisms		-	-	-
Mesocosm study data	NOEAEC mg l⁻¹	-	-	-
	NOEAEC mg l⁻¹	-	-	-

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)		> 1540	Q3 Q = Miscellaneous internet resources 3 = Unverified data of known source Rat	Moderate
Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)		1410	Q3 Q = Miscellaneous internet resources 3 = Unverified data of known source Rabbit	-
Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)		-	-	-
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	Occupational exposure to peracetic acid can occur through dermal contact and inhalation of vapour
MRLs	European	EU MRL pesticide database
	Notes	-
Drinking Water Standards		-	-	-
Drinking Water MAC (μg l⁻¹)		-	-	-

Health issues

Specific human health issues		Carcinogen Genotoxic Endocrine disruptor No data found 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 ; E0 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source) 0 = No data XNo, known not to cause a problem Reproduction / development effects Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor Neurotoxicant No data found XNo, known not to cause a problem No data found 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		May cause severe gastrointestinal tract irritation and renal failure Vapours may cause dizziness

Handling issues

Property	Value and interpretation
General	Unstable - may explode on heating Caustic and corrosive
CLP classification 2013	-
EC Risk Classification	T - Toxic: R23, R24, R25 H - Handling risks: R5, R34
EC Safety Classification	S3, S27, S36
WHO Classification	NL (Not listed)
UN Number	-
Waste disposal & packaging	-

TRANSLATIONS

Language	Name
English	peroxyacetic acid
French	acide peracetique
German	-
Danish	-
Italian	-
Spanish	acido peroxiacetico
Greek	-
Polish	-
Swedish	-
Hungarian	-
Dutch	-

---

Record last updated:	26/02/2021
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