Silica

Silica	Last updated: 01/06/2024
(Also known as: silox; constituent of diatomaceous earth; amorphous silica; crystalline silica)

SUMMARY

Silica is an inert, naturally occurring mineral used as a carrier in some pesticide products and is sometimes used as an insecticide to control crawling insects, acting via its abrasive and desiccant properties. It is moderately soluble in water and stable in the environment. It is generally considered non-toxic to biodiversity and humans. However, there are some concerns that exposure to crystalline silica particles that are small enough to reach the lungs can cause lung cancer.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

Inert mineral used as a carrier in some pesticide products and sometimes used as an insecticide to control crawling insects

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

1956, silica gel first registered USA; 1960, silicon dioxide first registered US

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

SiO₂

Canonical SMILES

O=[Si]=O

Isomeric SMILES

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/O2Si/c1-3-2

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Veterinary substance type

Other bioactivity & uses

Carrier

Substance groups

Inorganic compound

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Natural

Mode of action

Inert but acts as an insecticide via its abrasive and desiccant physical properties

Molecular targets

CAS RN

7631-86-9

EC number

231-545-4

CIPAC number

None allocated

US EPA chemical code

072605

PubChem CID

24261

CLP index number

No data found

Therapeutic Class

ATCvet Code

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Molecular mass

60.08

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

dioxosilane

CAS name

silicon dioxide

Other status information

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

White powder

Formulations

Property

Product

Manufacturer

Authorisation Route

Legal Class (GB/UK)

Example products (past and present) using this active

Formulation and application details

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

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

120

Moderate

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

Melting point (°C)

1610

Boiling point (°C)

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

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

Log P

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

2.2

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)

Refractive Index

Environmental release

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

730

Very persistent

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

Note

Literature states that the substance is stable in soil

Manure DT₅₀ (days)

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Stable

Note

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

Value

Stable

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Stable

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Stable

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

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

CT₅₀ (days)

Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

5110

Rat

Low

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)

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)

> 1000

Danio rerio

Low

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

> 1000

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 - Acute 7 day EC₅₀, biomass (mg l⁻¹)

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

440

Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata

Low

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)

5110

Rat

Low

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

5000

Rabbit

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

2.2

Rat

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)

0.3

as mg m³ (inhalation)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Public may become exposed via their diets but substance is relatively benign by this route

Occupational

Serious risk to operators and other workers - PPE/PPC required

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

Dust can cause silicosis and bronchitis
May cause sensitization via inhalation
US EPA have concluded that exposure to crystalline silica particles that are small enough to reach the lungs can cause lung cancer

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Prevent generation of dust

CLP classification 2013

Health: H315, H319, H332, H335}

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

silica

French

silice cristalline

German

kristallenes Silikon

Danish

siliciumdioxid

Italian

silicone cristallino

Spanish

silicona cristalina

Greek

Polish

krystaliczna krzemionka

Swedish

Kiseldioxid

Hungarian

Dutch

kristallijn kiezelzuur

Norwegian

Record last updated:	01/06/2024
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