Pelargonic acid, potassium salt

Pelargonic acid, potassium salt	Last updated: 03/03/2026
(Not known by any other names)

SUMMARY

Hazard alerts

The following Pesticide Hazard Tricolour (PHT) 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. The alerts for Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) are based on applying the FAO/WHO (Type 1) and the PAN (Type II) criteria to PPDB data. Further details on the HHP indicators are given in the tables below. Neither the PHT nor the HHP hazard alerts take account of usage patterns or exposure, thus they do not represent risk.

PHT: Environmental fate	PHT: Ecotoxicity	PHT: Human health	Highly Hazardous Pesticide
	Ecotoxicity Moderate alert: Fish acute ecotoxicity: Moderate; Fish chronic ecotoxicity: Moderate; Daphnia acute ecotoxicity: Moderate; Earthworms acute ecotoxicity: Moderate	Human health Low alert

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

Plant-derived substance with multiple uses including general weed control, fruit thinning in orchards and vineyards, as a potato post-harvest desiccant, and for clearing woody weeds from paths etc.

Example pests controlled

Broad spectrum of weeds and plant growth

Example applications

Fruit; Vineyards; Potatoes; Woody plants; Ornamentals

Efficacy & activity

Efficacy established via field trials and extensive use

GB regulatory status

GB COPR regulatory status

Approved (as acid)

Date COPR inclusion expires

31/08/2029

GB LERAP status

None

EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)

EC Regulation 1107/2009 status

Approved (as acid)

Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur

Greece/Austria

Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires

11/12/2026

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

USA; Japan

Chemical structure

Isomerism

None

Chemical formula

C₉H₁₇KO₂

Canonical SMILES

CCCCCCCCC(=O)[O-].[K+]

Isomeric SMILES

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

WQEDQSDEIXNCCI-UHFFFAOYSA-M

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

2D structure diagram/image available?

Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams

Common Name	Relationship	Link
pelargonic acid	Parent

General status

Pesticide type

Herbicide; Plant Growth Regulator; Other substance

Other bioactivity & uses

Rain-fast agent; Adjuvant; Biocide; Disinfectant

Substance groups

Plant-derived substance

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Natural

Mode of action

Phyotoxic, contact action, broad-spectrum

CAS RN

23282-34-0

EC number

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

Molecular mass

196.33

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

nonanoic acid, potassium salt

CAS name

nonanoic acid, potassium salt

Global Governance status: Listed (✓) under

UK Poisons List Order 1972	Rotterdam Convention	Montreal Protocol
XNo The Poisons List Order 1972	XNo Rotterdam Convention	XNo Montreal Protocol
Stockholm Convention	OSPAR	EU Water Framework Directive
XNo Stockholm Convention	XNo OSPAR	XNo EU Water Framework Directive

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Forever chemical

Highly Hazardous Pesticide (HHP)

Type I

Type II

Other status information

EU approval as a disinfectant until March 2028

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

White to cream coloured solid

Related substances & organisms

fatty acids (generic C7-C18)

isobutyric acid

isovaleric acid

valeric acid

capric acid

pelargonic acid

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

1992, acid first registered USA

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

Doff Portland
STV International
Witax Ltd
Enforcer Products Inc
Mycogen Corporation

Example products using this active

Formulation and application details

Usually supplied as an emulsifiable concentrate

Commercial production

Impact on climate of production and use

The GHG emissions from the synthesis of pelargonic acid depend heavily on the production method used. Precise data are not available but based on similar fatty acid production processes: Traditional chemical synthesis typically emits around 15–30 kg CO₂e per kg of pelargonic acid. Chemo-enzymatic synthesis produces less at between 5–15 kg CO₂e per kg. However, bio-based fermentation techniques could reduce emissions to around 5 kg CO₂e per kg.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C at pH 7 (mg l⁻¹)

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

Melting point (°C)

Boiling point (°C)

255

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

115

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

Log P

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

0.921

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

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

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)

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

DT₅₀ modelling endpoint

Note

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

Note

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

Value

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

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

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

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

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

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

255

Threshold for concern

CT₅₀ (days)

n/a

Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 2000

Rat as acid

Low

Mammals - Short Term Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

>= 1000

Rat 28-day as acid

Low

Mammals - Long Term (Chronic) Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

2450

Colinus virginianus as acid

Low

Birds - Short term dietary LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

> 2000

Anas platyrhynchos as acid

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

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

> 105

Eisenia foetida corr as acid

Moderate

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

250

Eisenia foetida corr as acid

Low

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

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

> 181.1

Apis mellifera as acid

Low

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

122.1

Apis mellifera as acid

Low

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

Chronic as 10-day LDD₅₀ µg bee⁻¹ day⁻¹

48.0

Apis mellifera as acid

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) as Mortality LR₅₀ g ha⁻¹, Extended lab study

> 18800

Chrysoperla carnea as acid

Low

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps) as Mortality LR₅₀ g ha⁻¹, Std lab test, Glass plate

< 3900

Aphidius rhopalosiphi Adult as acid

Low

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites) as Mortality LR₅₀ g ha⁻¹, Std lab test, Glass plate

< 3900

Typhlodromus pyri Protonymph as acid

Low

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles) as Mortality ER₅₀ g ha⁻¹, Extended lab study

> 31740

Poecilus cupreus as acid

Beneficial insects (Butterflies)

Contact

Notes

Oral

Notes

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

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

> 11.5

Oncorhynchus mykiss as acid

Moderate

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

1.62

Oncorhynchus mykiss as acid

Moderate

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

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

56.8

Daphnia magna as acid

Moderate

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

14.6

Daphnia magna as acid

Low

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

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

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

> 100

Chironomus riparius 48 hr as acid

Low

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 (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹) (ErC₅₀, Semi-static)

36.3

Lemna gibba as acid

Low

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹) (ErC₅₀)

> 140.4

Myriophyllum spicatum as acid

Low

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹) (72 hr ErC₅₀, Static)

21.9

Raphidocelis subcapitata as acid

Low

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹) (72 hr NOEC, Static)

1.0

Raphidocelis subcapitata as acid

Moderate

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

Regulatory Threshold Levels (RTLs)

Note: These RTLs have been calculated using the regulatory approach used in the European Union and based on ecotoxocity values in the PPDB.

Species group

RTL

Notes

Mammals

200

Worst case of acute and chronic mammals

Birds

245

Worst case of acute and chronic birds

Soil organisms

Worst case of acute and chronic earthworms

Terrestrial plants

No data

No data for non-target plants vegetative vigour and seedling emergence

Pollinators

2.442

Worst case of contact and oral honeybees

Arthropods

1950

Worst case of parasitic wasps and predatory mites

Fish

0.115

Worst case of temperate acute and chronic fish

Aquatic invertebrates

0.568

Worst case of temperate acute and chronic aquatic invertebrates

Aquatic plants

0.1

Worst case of free-floating plants, rooted plants, acute and chronic algae

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

Low (class I)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 2000

Rat as acid

Low

Mammals - Short Term Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

>= 1000

Rat 28-day as acid

Low

Mammals - Long Term (Chronic) Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

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

> 2000

Rat as acid

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 5.0

Rat as acid

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

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

None allocated

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

None allocated

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

None allocated

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

None allocated

Dermal penetration studies (%)

25-70%

concentration dependent

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Very low risk considerting intended uses

Occupational

Very low risk considerting intended uses

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

Rapid and extensive elimination, substance is metabolised completely for energy production, giving rise to H2O and CO2.

Health issues

Specific human health issues (hazard-based)

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

No data found

; ; ; ;

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

May cause eye damage

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Not explosive or oxidising
Not highly flammable
Corrosive

CLP classification 2013

Health: H315, H319
Environment: H412

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

pelargonic acid, potassium salt

French

German

Danish

Italian

Spanish

Greek

Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	03/03/2026
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

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