Sulfuryl fluoride

Sulfuryl fluoride	Last updated: 31/10/2024
(Also known as: sulfuryl difluoride; sulfur difluoride dioxide ; sulfuric oxyfluoride )

SUMMARY

Sulfuryl fluoride is used as an alternative to methyl bromide. It is highly soluble in water and most organic solvents. It is extremely volatile. It is moderately toxic to humans and there are concerns that it may be a reproduction/fertility toxicant. It is moderately toxic to honeybees, aquatic fauna and flora.

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: Daphnia acute ecotoxicity: Moderate; Bees acute contact ecotoxicity: Moderate Warning: Significant data are missing	Human health High alert: Reproduction/development effects

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

Fumigant gas used as a replacement for methyl bromide for termite treatment in buildings and on merchantable timber. Also used as a general post harvest insect control on a range of crops.

Example pests controlled

Codling moth; Granary weevil; Flour moth (Ephestia kuehniella); Indianmeal moth (Plodia interpunctella); Red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum); Confused flour beetle (Tribolium confisum); Warehouse beetle (Trogoderma variabile); Drywood termites; Wood-infesting beetles; Spiders

Example applications

Empy grain storage areas; Structures; Wood products

Efficacy & activity

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

2004, USA first registered as a food fumigant

GB regulatory status

GB COPR regulatory status

Approved

Date COPR inclusion expires

31/10/2031

GB LERAP status

None

EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)

EC Regulation 1107/2009 status

Approved

Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur

Austria/Ireland

Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires

31/07/2027

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, Switzerland

Chemical structure

Isomerism

None

Chemical formula

F₂O₂S

Canonical SMILES

O=S(=O)(F)F

Isomeric SMILES

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

OBTWBSRJZRCYQV-UHFFFAOYSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/F2O2S/c1-5(2,3)4

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Pesticide type

Insecticide, Fungicide, Nematicide, Rodenticide, Other substance

Other bioactivity & uses

Bactericide, Wood preservative

Substance groups

Inorganic compound; Fumigant insecticide

Minimum active substance purity

998 g kg⁻¹

Known relevant impurities

EU dossier - none declared

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

Non-systemic with complex mode of action that prevents stored fats to be utilised leading to insufficent energy available for survival

CAS RN

2699-79-8

EC number

220-281-5

CIPAC number

757

US EPA chemical code

078003

PubChem CID

17607

CLP index number

009-015-00-7

Molecular mass

102.06

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

sulfuryl fluoride

CAS name

sulfuryl fluoride

Other status information

Ozone depletor, Greenhouse gas, Marine pollutant, Considered to add to fluoride contamination of fresh produce

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Herbicide Resistance Class (HRAC MoA class)

Not applicable

Herbicide Resistance Class (WSSA MoA class)

Not applicable

Insecticide Resistance Class (IRAC MoA class)

Fungicide Resistance Class (FRAC MOA class)

Examples of recorded resistance

Physical state

Colourless, odourless gas

Formulations

Property

Value

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

Dow
Drexel Chemical Co.

Example products using this active

Vikane
Zyther
Profume

Formulation and application details

Used as a fumigant gas

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

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

1040

High

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

22000

n-Heptane

33000

Methanol

71000

Acetone

25000

Xylene

Melting point (°C)

-137

Boiling point (°C)

-54

Degradation point (°C)

400

Flashpoint (°C)

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

1.38 X 10⁰⁰

Calculated

Log P

0.14

Low

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Insoluble

Data type

Regulatory data

Density (g ml⁻¹)

0.00418

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

1.6 X 10⁰⁹

Highly volatile. If applied directly to plants or soil, drift is a concern & mitigation is advisable

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

1.6 X 10⁰⁵

Volatile

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

276nm = 37, 290nm = 25, No UV absorbance above 290nm

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

68.0

at 20°C 90% soln

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

Minimal data available. Exposure to soil expected to be minimal due to usage pattern.

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

Negligible

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

Value

0.25

Non-persistent

Note

DT₅₀ 4 mins at pH 9, 5 days at pH 2.

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water 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)

Very mobile

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

Literature values range between 0 and 50 mL g⁻¹

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

25400

DT₅₀ estimated as 2.9 and 1.6 years at 0 and 10 km altitude, respectively. Method not stated.

Substance of concern for long-range air transport

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

Low risk

Based on LogP < 3

Low risk

CT₅₀ (days)

No data

Known soil metabolites

Metabolite

Major/Minor fraction

$Click here for further information on Major/Minor fraction$

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

Notes

fluorosulfonic acid

hydrofluoric acid

Known groundwater metabolites

None

Other known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

100

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)

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

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)

6.5

Moderate

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)

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 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)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

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

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

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

0.89

Danio rerio

Moderate

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

0.62

Daphnia magna

Moderate

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 - Acute 7 day EC₅₀, biomass (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute 72 hour EC₅₀, growth (mg l⁻¹)

0.58

Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata

Moderate

Algae - Chronic 96 hour NOEC, growth (mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves – Acute EC₅₀ development (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)

100

Rat

Moderate

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

9599

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 991

Rat 4 hr

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)

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

None allocated

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

Main risks arise usually after inhalational exposure

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

; ; ; ;

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

Prolonged exposure may cause pulmonary edema, nausea and abdominal pain
Possible kidney, CNS, blood and bone toxicant

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Liquid form may cause frost bite
Emits toxic fumes when heated to decomposition
Not explosive or oxidising
IMDG Transport Hazard Class 2.3
Not expected to auto-ignite; Not highly flammable

CLP classification 2013

Health, H331, H373
Environment: H400

WHO Classification

Not classified: Fumigant (Not classified: Fumigant)

UN Number

UN2191

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

sulfuryl fluoride

French

fluorure de sulfuryle

German

Danish

Italian

fluoro de sulfurilo

Spanish

Greek

Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	31/10/2024
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