| Spinosyn A |
![]() Last updated: 27/08/2025 |
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(Not known by any other names) |
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An insecticide derived from naturally occurring soil fungi (naturalyte) used to control Lepidoptera. Usually supplied in combination with spinosyn D as spinosad. | |
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| Chemical structure |
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Spinosyn A is one of the components of spinosad. It is a chiral molecule. | |
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C₄₁H₆₅NO₁₀ | |
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Yes |
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| Common Name | Relationship | Link |
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| spinosyn A | - | ![]() |
| General status |
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Micro-organism derived substance | ||||||||||||||
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Natural | ||||||||||||||
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Contact and stomach action. Acts by exciting the insect nervous system, leading to involuntary muscle contractions and paralysis. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) channel blocker - site I | ||||||||||||||
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131929-60-7 | ||||||||||||||
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731.98 | ||||||||||||||
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(2R,3aS,5aR,5bS,9S,13S,14R,16aS,16bR)-2-(6-deoxy-2,3,4-tri-O-methyl-α-L-mannopyranosyloxy)-etradeoxy-β-D-erythropyranosyloxy)-9-ethyl-2,3,3a,5a,5b,6,7,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16a,16b-hexadecahydro-14-methyl-1H-as-indaceno[3,2-d]oxacyclododecine-7,15-dione | ||||||||||||||
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(2R,3aS,5aR,5bS,9S,13S,14R,16aS,16bR)--((6-deoxy-2,3,4-tri-O-methyl-α-L-mannopyranosyl)oxy)-13-(((2R,5S,6R)-5-(dimethylamino)tetrahydro-6-methyl-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy)-9-ethyl-2,3,3a,5a,5b,6,9,10,11,12,13,14,16a,16b-16b-tetradecahydro-14-methyl-1H-as-indaceno[3,2-d]oxacyclododecin-7,15-dione- | ||||||||||||||
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Technical substance is a white-grey crystalline solid | ||||||||||||||
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| Can be a metabolite of: |
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| Saccharopolyspora spinosa | Soil | - | - |
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1982, first identified; 1997, commercially introduced | |||
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Products containing spiniosyn A are often supplied as a soluble concentrate that is mixed with water and used as a foliar spray | |||
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Spinosyn A is commercially produced through the aerobic fermentation of the soil bacterium Saccharopolyspora spinosa. The bacterium naturally synthesises a family of macrolide compounds known as spinosyns, with spinosyn A and D being the primary components of the insecticidal mixture called spinosad. During production, S. spinosa is cultivated in large-scale bioreactors under optimised conditions to maximise yield. After fermentation, the spinosyns are extracted from the culture broth using solvent-based methods, followed by purification steps like crystallization or chromatography. | |||
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Products based on fermentation processes rather than chemical synthesis, have a lower fossil fuel input in formulation and active ingredient creation, and have reduced downstream emissions due to biodegradability and minimal soil disruption, the life-cycle GHG emissions are expected to be low. Whilst hard and precise data are not available, broad estimates suggest that typically emissions are likely to be below 5 kg CO₂e/kg. |
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14.5 | 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 |
Moderate | ||||||||
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190000 | 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 ) Methanol5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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| 168000 | 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 ) Acetone5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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| 525000 | 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 ) 1,2-Dichloroethane5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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| 448000 | 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 ) Hexane5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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107.0 | 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 |
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285.0 | 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 |
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7.94 X 1003 | Calculated | - | |||||||
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3.9 | 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 |
High | ||||||||
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Soluble | 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 |
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Regulatory data - observed in metabolism and farm animal feeding studies | 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 |
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8.1 | 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 |
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| Protonated spinosyn A | |||||||||||
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2.0 X 10-02 | 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 |
Low volatility | ||||||||
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5.0 X 10-04 | A4 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 ) 4 = Verified data |
Non-volatile | ||||||||
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1.6 | 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 |
Volatilisation is not considered critical for air pollution | |||||||
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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 |
Volatilisation is not considered critical for air pollution | ||||||||
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Neutral soln: 243.2nm=110000, 201nm=200.2 Acidic soln: 244.2nm=108000, 200.2nm=57300 Basic soln: 244.0nm=109000 |
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 |
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41.5 | 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 |
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| Degradation |
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21.0 | 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 |
Non-persistent | |||||||
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21.0 | 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 |
Non-persistent | ||||||||
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27.4 | A4 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 ) 4 = Verified data |
Non-persistent | ||||||||
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100 | 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 |
Persistent | ||||||||
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37.2 | A3 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 ) 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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EU 2025 dossier Lab studies DT₅₀ (normalised) range 7.3-51.5 days, DT₉₀ (measured) range 22.6-170.9 days, Soils=10; Field studies DT₅₀ (measured) range 0.77-100 days, Soils=8, DT₉₀ (measured) range 16.4-58.0 days, Soils=2 | ||||||||||
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0.2 | 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 |
Fast | |||||||
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Stable | 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 |
Stable | |||||||
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Stable at all relevant pH values | ||||||||||
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126 | 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 |
Slow | ||||||||
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16 | 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 |
Slow | ||||||||
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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. | ||||||||||
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[Pear homogenate: No observed residue decay @ <=20 DegC after 7 days; Lab study] | ||||||||||
| Soil adsorption and mobility |
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46.7 | 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 |
Slightly mobile | |||||||
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3205 | ||||||||||
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0.86 | ||||||||||
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EU 2025 dossier Kf range 5.4-283 mL g⁻¹, Kfoc range 647-165364 mL g⁻¹, 1/n range 0.81-1.02, Soils=10 | ||||||||||
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0.71 | Calculated | Low leachability | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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114 | 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 |
Threshold for concern | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Major fraction | 0.670 | - |
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None
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None
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| Terrestrial ecotoxicology |
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> 2000 | 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 ) Rat5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
Low | ||||||||
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> 2000 | 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 ) Anas platyrhynchos5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
Low | ||||||||
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| General |
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> 2000 | 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 ) Rat5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
Low | ||||||||
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> 5000 | 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 ) Rabbit5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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> 5.18 | 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 ) Rat 4 hr (nose only)5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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0.024 | 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 ) Rat SF=1005 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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0.1 | 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 ) Rat SF=1005 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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0.013 | 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 |
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0.1-10.0 | 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 ) concentration dependent5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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No unacceptable risks to bystanders identified | |||||||||
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No unacceptable risks to operators or other workers identified May be absorbed into the body by ingestion |
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Rapid excretion primarily via faeces | 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 |
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| Health issues |
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Possible thyroid toxicant May cause inflammation of various organs |
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Prevent generation of dust Not explosive or oxidising IMDG Transport Hazard Class 9 Not expected to auto-ignite; Not highly flammable |
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Environment: H400, H410 | |||
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III (Slightly hazardous) | |||
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UN3077 | |||
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Packaging Group III (minor danger) | |||
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spinosyn A | ||
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| Record last updated: | 27/08/2025 |
| 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 |
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