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EPTC (Ref: R 1608)
Last updated: 14/03/2022
(Also known as: ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate; epthame; eptam)
SUMMARY
EPTC is a selective herbicide. It is moderately soluble in water and is highly volatile. It is not expected to be persistent in soil systems but may be in water depending on local conditions. There may be a risk of drift. EPTC is moderately toxic to most biodiversity. This substance is also moderateoly toxic to mammals via the oral route. EPTC is an acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor, a neurotoxin and an irritant.
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:
GUS: Transition state; Drainflow: Moderately mobile
Ecotoxicity
Moderate alert:
Birds acute ecotoxicity: Moderate; Fish acute ecotoxicity: Moderate; Daphnia acute ecotoxicity: Moderate; Daphnia chronic ecotoxicity: Moderate; Bees acute oral ecotoxicity: Moderate; Earthworms acute ecotoxicity: Moderate
Human health
High alert:
Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor; Neurotoxicant
GENERAL INFORMATION
Description
A herbicide used for pre-emergence control of annual and perennial grasses plus some broad-leaved weeds
Example pests controlled
Couch; Sedges; Bermudagrass; Pigweed; Lambsquarters; Nightshade; Foxtails; Barnyard grass; bents
Example applications
Vegetables including peas, beans; Alfalfa; Forage legumes; Potatoes; Corn; Sweet potatoes
Efficacy & activity
-
Availability status
Current
Introduction & key dates
circa 1957
UK regulatory status
UK COPR regulatory status
Not approved
Date COPR inclusion expires
Expired
UK LERAP status
No UK approval for use
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)
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
                 
Additional information
Also used in
USA
Chemical structure
Isomerism
None
Chemical formula
C₉H₁₉NOS
Canonical SMILES
CCCN(CCC)C(=O)SCC
Isomeric SMILES
No data
International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)
GUVLYNGULCJVDO-UHFFFAOYSA-N
International Chemical Identifier (InChI)
InChI=1S/C9H19NOS/c1-4-7-10(8-5-2)9(11)12-6-3/h4-8H2,1-3H3
2D structure diagram/image available?
Yes
General status
Pesticide type
Herbicide
Substance groups
Thiocarbamate herbicide; Carbamate herbicide
Minimum active substance purity
-
Known relevant impurities
-
Substance origin
Synthetic
Mode of action
Selective, systemic absorbed by roots and shoots. Lipid synthesis inhibitor.
CAS RN
759-94-4
EC number
212-073-8
CIPAC number
155
US EPA chemical code
041401
PubChem CID
12968
Molecular mass
189.3
PIN (Preferred Identification Name)
S-ethyl dipropylcarbamothioate
IUPAC name
S-ethyl dipropyl(thiocarbamate)
CAS name
S-ethyl dipropylcarbamothioate
Other status information
Potential groundwater contaminant; PAN listed Highly Hazardous Chemical; Risk of drift.
Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards
-
Herbicide Resistance Classification (HRAC)
K3
Herbicide Resistance Classification (WSSA)
15
Insecticide Resistance Classification (IRAC)
Not applicable
Fungicide Resistance Classification (FRAC)
Not applicable
Examples of recorded resistance
-
Physical state
Pale yellow liquid
Formulations
Property
Value
Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically
  • Stauffer
Example products using this active
  • Eradicane
  • Eptam
  • Genep
  • Shortstop
Formulation and application details
Usually formulated as an emulsifiable concentrate or as granules
ENVIRONMENTAL FATE
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)
370
K4 K = Research datasets, e.g. Pandora, Demetra
4 = Verified data
 Moderate
Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)
Miscible
C4 C = AGRITOX (click here )
4 = Verified data
Acetone		 -
Miscible
C4 C = AGRITOX (click here )
4 = Verified data
Benzene		 -
Miscible
C4 C = AGRITOX (click here )
4 = Verified data
Xylene		 -
Miscible
C4 C = AGRITOX (click here )
4 = Verified data
Ethanol		 -
Melting point (°C)
Not applicable
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Boiling point (°C)
127
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Degradation point (°C)
200
L2 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
2 = Unverified data of unknown source
 -
Flashpoint (°C)
110
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C
P
1.58 X 1003 Calculated -
Log P
3.2
G4 G = Extension Toxicology network database EXTOXNET (click here )
4 = Verified data
 High
Fat solubility of residues
Solubility
- - -
Data type
- - -
Density (g ml⁻¹)
0.96
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C
Not applicable
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous internet resources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
No dissociation
Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)
4500
G3 G = Extension Toxicology network database EXTOXNET (click here )
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Highly volatile
Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)
5.00 X 10-06
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Non-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)
6
M3 M = GLEAMS Model database (Groundwater Loading Effects of Agricultural Management Systems) (click here )
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Non-persistent
DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)
- - -
DT₅₀ (field)
18
C4 C = AGRITOX (click here )
4 = Verified data
 Non-persistent
DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)
- - -
DT₉₀ (field)
- - -
DT₅₀ modelling endpoint
- - -
Note
Literature DT₅₀ range 6-30 days in the field; Other sources: DT₅₀ 30-60 days (R3)
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
300
C4 C = AGRITOX (click here )
4 = Verified data
 Persistent
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
-
G3 G = Extension Toxicology network database EXTOXNET (click here )
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Moderately mobile
Koc
300
Notes and range
Other literature sources: 109-240 mL g⁻¹ (R3)
Freundlich
Kf
0.76
R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Moderately mobile
Kfoc
187.7
1/n
0.905
Notes and range
Literature data: Kf range 0.36-0.47 mL g⁻¹, Kfoc range 153-222 mL g⁻¹, 1/n range 0.826-0.984, soils=2
pH sensitivity
-
Fate indices
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
GUS leaching potential index
2.17 Calculated Transition state
SCI-GROW groundwater index (μg l⁻¹) for a 1 kg ha⁻¹ or 1 l ha⁻¹ application rate
Value
7.50 X 10-02 Calculated -
Note
-
Potential for particle bound transport index
Low Calculated -
Potential for loss via drain flow
Moderately mobile Calculated -
Bio-concentration factor
BCF (l kg⁻¹)
60
P4 P = Other governments and regulators
4 = Verified data
 Low potential
CT₅₀ (days)
Not available -
ECOTOXICOLOGY
Terrestrial ecotoxicology
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
916
V3 V = ChemID online databases / IPCS INCHEM (ChemID; IPCS INCHEM )
3 = Unverified data of known source
Rat		 Moderate
Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL
(mg kg⁻¹)
-
L2 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
2 = Unverified data of unknown source
Rat 21 day		 -
(ppm diet)
326 -
Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
- - -
Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
1000
F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source
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)
267
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Moderate
Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)
- - -
Soil micro-organisms
- - -
Collembola
Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
- - -
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)
- - -
Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
11.0
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Moderate
Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
- - -
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 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
-
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
Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
14
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Lepomis macrochirus		 Moderate
Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
14
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Daphnia magna		 Moderate
Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)
0.81
P4 P = Other governments and regulators
4 = Verified data
Daphnia magna		 Moderate
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)
2.9
F1 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
1 = Estimated data with little or no verification
Lemna gibba 96 hour		 Moderate
Algae - Acute 72 hour EC₅₀, growth (mg l⁻¹)
5.46
F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data
Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata		 Moderate
Algae - Chronic 96 hour NOEC, growth (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
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)
916
V3 V = ChemID online databases / IPCS INCHEM (ChemID; IPCS INCHEM )
3 = Unverified data of known source
Rat		 Moderate
Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)
2000
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Rat		 -
Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
3.8
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
- - -
Exposure Routes
Public
-
Occupational
-
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
XNo, known not to cause a problem
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
 No data found
Reproduction / development effects Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor Neurotoxicant
?Possibly, status not identified
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
Respiratory tract irritant Skin irritant Skin sensitiser
No data found
✓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
No further information available
Handling issues
Property
Value and interpretation
General
No information available
CLP classification 2013
Health: H302
WHO Classification
II (Moderately hazardous)
UN Number
-
Waste disposal & packaging
-
TRANSLATIONS
Language
Name
English
EPTC
French
EPTC
German
EPTC
Danish
EPTC
Italian
EPTC
Spanish
EPTC
Greek
EPTC
Polish
EPTC
Swedish
EPTC
Hungarian
EPTC
Dutch
EPTC
Record last updated: 14/03/2022
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