E X T O X N E T
Extension Toxicology Network
A Pesticide Information Project of Cooperative Extension Offices of
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University of California at Davis. Major support and funding was provided
by the USDA/Extension Service/National Agricultural Pesticide Impact
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Pesticide
Information
Profile
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Sulfur
Publication Date: 9/95
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TRADE OR OTHER NAMES
The active ingredient sulfur is found in a variety of commercial
fungicides. Some trade names for products containing sulfur include Cosan,
Crisazufre, Hexasul, Sulflox, Tiolene, and Thiolux (3, 4). Crisazufre and
Sulflox are marketed outside the U.S. (3). The compound may be used in
combination with other fungicides that include nitrothal-isopropyl, rotenone,
thiabendazole, mancozeb, sodium pentaborate, urea, carbendazim + maneb, and
cymoxanil + copper oxychloride (1).
REGULATORY STATUS
Sulfur is a general use pesticide (GUP). Check with specific state
restrictions which may apply. Products containing the active ingredient sulfur
must bear the Signal Word "Caution" on their label (3).
INTRODUCTION
Sulfur is a non-systemic contact and protectant fungicide with secondary
acaricidal activity. It is used for control of brown rot of peaches, powdery
mildew of apples, gooseberries, hops, ornamentals, grapes, peaches,
strawberries, sugar beets, apple scab, gall mite on blackcurrant, peanut
leafspot, mildew on roses, mites on beans, carrots, lucerne, melons, and
tomatoes, etc. (1, 2, 3). Sulfur is also used on livestock and in agricultural
premises (4).
Sulfur comes in wettable, flowable and colloidal formulations (1).
Compatibility with other products is considered good. Numerous mixed products
with insecticides and fungicides are manufactured. For reasons of
phytotoxicity, mixing sulfur with oils should be avoided (1, 3). Inert
material is usually added during manufacture to prevent electrostatic
"balling" (2).
Sulfur has been known and used as a pesticide since very early times, and
has been registered for pesticidal use in the United States since the 1920s
(8). It was first used around 1880 (4). Currently, sulfur is registered in the
U.S. by EPA for use as an insecticide, fungicide, and rodenticide on several
hundred food and feed crop, ornamental, turf and residential sites. It is also
used as a fertilizer or soil amendment for reclaiming alkaline soils. Sulfur
is applied in dust, granular or liquid form, and is an active ingredient in
nearly 300 registered pesticide products (8).
Sulfur in its elemental reduced or oxidized forms represents
approximately 1.9% of the total weight of the earth. The sulfates and sulfides
are common in their various mineral forms. Most aquatic and terrestrial
environments are high in sulfur, sulfur-deficient environments being quite
rare in nature (9). Sulfur is considered non-corrosive and may cause
tarnishing of some metals (1).
TOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS
ACUTE TOXICITY
Sulfur is known to be of low toxicity, and poses very little if any risk
to human and animal health (1, 8). Short-term studies show that sulfur is of
very low acute oral toxicity and does not irritate the skin (it has been
placed in EPA Toxicity Category IV, the least toxic category, for these
effects). Sulfur also is not a skin sensitizer. However, it can cause some eye
irritation, dermal toxicity and inhalation hazards (8).
When taken orally, it has a mild laxative action (1). It may cause
irritation of skin and the mucous membranes. Sulfur is considered a skin and
eye irritant (1, 2, 3, 4). Acute exposure inhalation of large amounts of the
dust may cause catarrhal inflammation of the nasal mucosa which may lead to
hyperplasia with abundant nasal secretions. Trachiobronchitis is a frequent
occurrence, with dyspnea, persistent cough and expectoration which may
sometimes be streaked with blood (5).
Sulfur was reported to have a rat oral LD50 of greater than 5,000 mg/kg
(3, 10); and greater than 8,437 mg/kg (5). Another source reported an acute
oral LD50 of greater than 5,000 mg/kg for 51.1%, 97%, and 98% sulfur. Also,
there were no deaths of rats fed 98% sulfur at a single dose of 5,000 mg/kg
(6). The intravenous rat LDlo (Lethal dose, low. The lowest dose which causes
death in test animals.) was 8 mg/kg (5). The dermal LD50 for rats was greater
than 5,000 mg/kg (3). The acute inhalation LC50 for 98% sulfur in rats is
greater than 2.56 mg/l; and greater than 5.74 mg/l for 80 % sulfur (6).
The oral LDlo for sulfur in rabbits was 175 mg/kg (5). The acute dermal
LD50 in rabbits was greater than 2,000 mg/kg at 51.1%, 97%, and 98% sulfur.
Also, there were no deaths of rabbits fed 98% sulfur at a single dose of 2,000
mg/kg (6, 10). A rabbit eye irritation test indicated all irritation had
cleared 6 days after 98% sulfur was administered (6). The intraperitoneal
LDlo was 55 mg/kg for sulfur in guinea pigs (5).
CHRONIC TOXICITY
Chronic exposure to elemental sulfur at low levels is generally
recognized as safe. Epidemiological studies show that mine workers exposed to
sulfur dioxide throughout their lives often had eye and respiratory
disturbances, chronic bronchitis and chronic sinus effects. However, no known
risks of oncogenic, teratogenic, or reproductive effects are associated with
the use of sulfur. Also, sulfur has been shown to be non-mutagenic in
microorganisms (8).
Repeated or prolonged exposure to dust may cause irritation to the mucous
membranes. Bronchopulmonary disease may occur which, after several years, may
be complicated by emphysema and bronchiectasis. Early symptoms in sulfur
miners often include upper respiratory tract catarrh, with cough and
expectoration which is mucoid and may even contain granules of sulfur. Asthma
is a frequent complication. The maxillary and frontal sinuses may be affected;
involvement is usually bilateral and pansinuitis may occur (5).
Reproductive Effects
There are no known risks of reproductive hazards associated with sulfur
(8, 9).
Teratogenic Effects
There are no known risks of teratogenic hazards associated with sulfur
(8, 9).
Mutagenic Effects
No information currently available.
Carcinogenic Effects
There are no known risks of carcinogenic/oncogenic effects associated
with the use of sulfur (5, 8).
Organ Toxicity
Pulmonary function may be reduced. Radiological examinations have
revealed irregular opacities in the lungs and occasionally nodulation has been
reported, but not true nodular fibrosis (5).
Fate in Humans and Animals
No information currently available.
ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Effects on Birds
Sulfur is considered non-toxic to birds (7). The 8-day dietary LC50 for
bobwhite quail is reported to be greater than 5,620 ppm in a study using a 95%
sulfur wettable powder formulation (9). In studies on ecological effects
involving bobwhite quail, sulfur has been shown to be practically non-toxic to
the species tested (8).
Effects on Aquatic Organisms
The 96-hour LC50 values for two fish species, bluegill sunfish and
rainbow trout, are greater than 180 ppm in a study using a 99.5% sulfur dust
formulation. The 48-hour LC50 for daphnia and the 96-hour LC50 for mysid
shrimp is reported to be greater than 5,000 and 736 ppm, respectively, in a
study using 90% sulfur (9, 10). In studies on ecological effects involving two
fish species, daphnia, and mysid shrimp, sulfur has been shown to be
practically non-toxic to the species tested (1, 3, 7, 8).
Effects on Other Animals (Nontarget species)
Sulfur is considered non-toxic to bees (1, 3, 7). In studies on
ecological effects involving honeybees, sulfur has been shown to be
practically non-toxic to the species tested. Thus, although there is potential
for non-target organisms to be exposed to sulfur, little hazard to these
species is expected to result (8).
Two beneficial insect studies demonstrated that sulfur (98% dust and 92%
wettable powder) is low in toxicity to the honeybee through contact and
ingestion (9).
ENVIRONMENTAL FATE
Breakdown of Chemical in Soil and Groundwater
Sulfur is a component of the environment, and there is a natural cycle of
oxidation and reduction reactions which transforms sulfur into both organic
and inorganic products. Sulfur in the form of sulfate constitutes about 0.1%
of U. S. soils. Elemental sulfur is slowly converted to sulfate in soil by the
action of autotrophic bacteria. Elemental sulfur leaches in soil as sulfate at
a slow rate. About 3-6% of the sulfur (formulation and purity unspecified)
applied at 56 kg/Ha leached through lysimeters of loam soil (soil depth
unspecified) as a result of 40 inches of rain over a six-month period. After
two years, 23-29% of the applied sulfur had leached (10).
Breakdown of Chemical in Surface Water
No information currently available.
Breakdown of Chemical in Vegetation
There is slight oxidation of sulfur to the volatile oxide. Primarily
microbial reduction in and on plants; partial incorporation into physiological
substances (1). Sulfur may cause plant injury when used at summer temperatures
(3). Injury has been reported on apricots, raspberries, cucurbits and certain
other "sulfur-shy" plants (4).
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND GUIDELINES
Physical Properties:
| CAS No.: | 7704-34-9 (1, 3) |
| Chemical name: | Sulfur |
| Chemical Class/Use: | fungicide, acaricide (1) |
| Solubility in water: | Practically insoluble in water (1, 2) |
| Solubility in other solvents: | Readily soluble in carbon disulphide. Very slightly soluble in ether, petroleum ether, toluene, acetone, chloroform, and alcohol; more readily soluble in hot benzene, acetone, carbon disulfide, carbon tetrachloride, liquid ammonia, and methylene iodide (1, 2, 5) |
| Melting point: | 114.5-115 degrees C (1, 3, 7); 235 degrees F (5) |
| Boiling point: | 444.6 degrees C (1); 832 degrees F (5) |
| Flashpoint: | 405 degrees F (207 degrees C) (5) |
| Vapor pressure: | 5.3 x 10 to the minus 6 mbar at 30.4 degrees C; 8.6 x 10 to the minus 5 mbar at 59.4 degrees C (1, 2). 1 mmHg @ 184 degrees C (5). 3.96 x 10 to the minus 6 mmHg at 30.4 degrees C (7) |
BASIC MANUFACTURER
Various manufacturers
Review by Basic Manufacturers:
Comments solicited: October, 1994
Comments received:
REFERENCES
The Agrochemicals Handbook. 1983. The Royal Society of Chemistry, The
University, Nottingham, England.
Worthing, C. R. (ed.). 1983. The Pesticide Manual: A World Compendium.
Seventh edition. Published by The British Crop Protection Council.
Farm Chemicals Handbook. 1994. Meister Publishing Co. Willoughby, OH.
Thomson, W. T. 1992. Agricultural Chemicals. Book II: Herbicides.
Thomson Publications, Fresno, CA.
OHS Database. 1993. Occupational Health Services, Inc. 1993 (August)
MSDS for Sulfur. OHS Inc., Secaucus, NJ.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1988. Office of Pesticides. TOX
Oneliners -- Sulfur. August, 1988.
Pesticide Management and Education. An on-line pesticide information
database in CENET, Cornell Cooperative Extension Network. Cornell University,
Ithaca, NY.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. May, 1991. Reregistration
Eligibility Document Facts: Sulfur. US EPA, Pesticides and Toxic Substances,
Washington, DC.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. May, 1991. Reregistration
Eligibility Document (RED): Sulfur. US EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs,
Washington, DC.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. December, 1982. Sulfur Pesticide
Registration Standard, L. Rossi, et al. US EPA, Office of Pesticides and
Toxic Substances, Washington, DC.
Disclaimer: Please read
the pesticide label prior to use. The information contained at this web
site is not a substitute for a pesticide label. Trade names used herein
are for convenience only; no endorsement of products is intended, nor is
criticism of unnamed products implied. Most of this information is historical
in nature and may no longer be applicable.
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