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TCA-sodium
Last updated: 03/02/2026
(Also known as: STCA; NaTA; NaTCA)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Description
A pre-emergence herbicide used to control many annual and perennial weeds
Examples of veterinary uses
-
Examples of species treated
-
Approval status
VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)
-
EU Regulatory approval status
-
Chemical structure
Isomerism
None
Chemical formula
C₂Cl₃NaO₂
Canonical SMILES
C(=O)(C(Cl)(Cl)Cl)[O-].[Na+]
Isomeric SMILES
-
International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)
SAQSTQBVENFSKT-UHFFFAOYSA-M
International Chemical Identifier (InChI)
InChI=1S/C2HCl3O2.Na/c3-2(4,5)1(6)7;/h(H,6,7);/q;+1/p-1
2D structure diagram/image available?
Yes
General status
Veterinary substance type
-
Substance groups
Halogenated aliphatic herbicide
Minimum active substance purity
-
Known relevant impurities
-
Substance origin
Synthetic
Mode of action
Selective, systemic, absorbed by roots and translocated. Inhibition of lipid synthesis
Molecular targets
-
CAS RN
650-51-1
EC number
211-479-2
CIPAC number
67
US EPA chemical code
081001
PubChem CID
23681045
CLP index number
No data found
Therapeutic Class
-
ATCvet Code
-
Controlled Drug?
-
Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification
-
Molecular mass
185.37
PIN (Preferred Identification Name)
sodium trichloroacetate
IUPAC name
sodium trichloroacetate
CAS name
sodium trichloroacetate
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
-
Other status information
-
Physical state
Pale yellow powder
Related substances & organisms
Commercial
Property
Value
Availability status
Considered obsolete but may be available in some countries
Introduction & key dates
Circa 1950, introduced
Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically
  • Dow AgroSciences
  • DuPont
  • Hoechst
  • FBC
Example products using this active
  • NaTa
  • Tecane
Formulation and application details
Usually supplied as water-soluble granules or water-soluble powder
Commercial production
TCA-sodium is produced commercially by neutralizing trichloroacetic acid (TCA) with a sodium base, typically sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate, in a controlled aqueous reaction. The process begins with the chlorination of acetic acid or its derivatives to synthesise trichloroacetic acid. This acid is then reacted with a stoichiometric amount of sodium hydroxide in water, forming a clear solution of sodium trichloroacetate. The solution is concentrated and crystallised to yield TCA-sodium.
Impact on climate of production and use
-
ENVIRONMENTAL FATE
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Solubility - In water at 20 °C at pH 7 (mg l⁻¹)
120000
H4 H = The US ARS pesticide properties database. Dataset is no longer available.
4 = Verified data
 High
Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)
232000
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Methanol		 -
7600
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Acetone		 -
200
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Diethyl ether		 -
70
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Benzene		 -
Melting point (°C)
165
L2 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
2 = Unverified data of unknown source
Decomposes		 -
Boiling point (°C)
- - -
Degradation point (°C)
- - -
Flashpoint (°C)
- - -
Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C
P
2.14 X 1001 Calculated -
Log P
1.33
V3 V = ChemID Online Databases; Chemspider; PubChem. (ChemID )
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Low
Fat solubility of residues
Solubility
- - -
Data type
- - -
Density (g ml⁻¹)
1.62
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C
0.70
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
 -
Strong acid
Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)
0.01332
H4 H = The US ARS pesticide properties database. Dataset is no longer available.
4 = Verified data
 Low volatility
Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)
1.37 X 10-03
V3 V = ChemID Online Databases; Chemspider; PubChem. (ChemID )
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Non-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)
- - -
Refractive Index
- - -
Environmental release
-
Degradation
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)
DT₅₀ (typical)
55
M4 M = GLEAMS Model database (Groundwater Loading Effects of Agricultural Management Systems). Dataset no longer available.
4 = Verified data
 Moderately persistent
DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)
- - -
DT₅₀ (field)
- - -
DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)
- - -
DT₉₀ (field)
- - -
Note
Literature DT₅₀ range 21-90 days
Manure DT₅₀ (days)
- - -
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
Kd (mL g⁻¹)
-
H3 H = The US ARS pesticide properties database. Dataset is no longer available.
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Very mobile
Koc (mL g⁻¹)
3
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
6.13 Calculated High leachability
Bio-concentration factor
BCF (l kg⁻¹)
0.002
Q2 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources
2 = Unverified data of unknown source
Estimated		 Low potential
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)
3200
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Rat		 Low
Mammals - Short Term Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
- - -
Mammals - Long Term (Chronic) Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
- - -
Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
> 4280
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Gallus domesticus		 Low
Birds - Short term dietary LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
- - -
Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
- - -
Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)
- - -
Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)
- - -
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)
- - -
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)
> 100
L1 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
1 = Estimated data with little or no verification
 Low
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)
- - -
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)
> 11000
L1 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
1 = Estimated data with little or no verification
Percidae spp.		 Low
Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
> 3100
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		 Low
Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
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)
- - -
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)
- - -
Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹) (NOEC)
1.0
P3 P = Other non-EU, UK or US Governments and Regulators
3 = Unverified data of known source
Raphidocelis subcapitata		 Moderate
Mesocosm study data
NOEAEC mg l⁻¹
- - -
NOEAEC mg l⁻¹
- - -
Marine bivalves
- - -
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)
3200
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Rat		 Low
Mammals - Short Term Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
- - -
Mammals - Long Term (Chronic) Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
- - -
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)
365.0
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Rat 4 hr		 -
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
-
Mammalian dose elimination route and rate
- - -
Health issues
Specific human health issues (hazard-based)
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
 No data found
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
Corrosive to skin
Harmful if swallowed
Handling issues
Property
Value and interpretation
General
Corrosive
Prevent generation of dust
Reacts with strong bases producing chloroform
CLP classification 2013
Health: H314
Environment: H400, H410
WHO Classification
III (Slightly hazardous)
UN Number
-
Waste disposal & packaging
-
Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity
-
TRANSLATIONS
Language
Name
English
TCA-sodium
French
trichloracetate de sodium
German
TCA
Danish
TCA (trichloreddikesyre)
Italian
TCA
Spanish
TCA-sodio
Greek
TCA
Polish
TCA
Swedish
TCA
Hungarian
TCA
Dutch
TCA-natrium
Norwegian
-
Record last updated: 03/02/2026
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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