Aluminium ammonium sulphate

Aluminium ammonium sulphate	Last updated: 17/07/2024
(Also known as: aluminium ammonium sulfate; ammonium alum)

SUMMARY

Aluminium ammonium sulphate is used as a bird and animal repellent. It is highly soluble in water, non-volatile and non-persistent in soils. It is moderately toxic to mammals and a recognised irritant. It is relatively non-toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates.

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 Low alert: Non-persistent; GUS: Low leachability; Drainflow: Non-mobile; Potential for particle bound transport: Low	Ecotoxicity Low alert: Fish acute ecotoxicity: Low; Daphnia acute ecotoxicity: Low; Bees acute contact ecotoxicity: Low; Bees acute oral ecotoxicity: Low; Earthworms acute ecotoxicity: Low	Human health Moderate alert: Neurotoxicant

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

An inorganic substance used as a bird and animal repellent

Example pests controlled

Birds; Cats; Dogs; Rats; Possums; Rabbits

Example applications

Fruit; Ornamentals; Grassland; Row crops; Combinable crops - grains, oilseeds and pulses; Amenity areas

Efficacy & activity

Evaluated by extensive long-term use and pilot studies

Appearance and life cycle

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

Taxonomic classification

UK regulatory status

UK COPR regulatory status

Approved

Date COPR inclusion expires

31/08/2029

UK LERAP status

None

EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)

EC Regulation 1107/2009 status

Approved

Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur

Ireland/Portugal

Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires

31/01/2039

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

Known to be also used in the following countries

Chemical structure

Isomerism

None

Chemical formula

NH₄AlS₂O₈

Canonical SMILES

[NH4+].[O-]S(=O)(=O)[O-].[O-]S(=O)(=O)[O-].[Al+3]

Isomeric SMILES

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

LCQXXBOSCBRNNT-UHFFFAOYSA-K

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/Al.H3N.2H2O4S/c;;2*1-5(2,3)4/h;1H3;2*(H2,1,2,3,4)/q+3;;;/p-3

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Biopesticide type

Semiochemical, Rodenticide

Substance groups

Inorganic compound

Minimum active substance purity

>975 g kg⁻¹

Known relevant impurities

EU dossier - none declared

Substance origin

Natural

Mode of action

Non-toxic mode of action - repellent by taste

Substance source

Aluminium ammonium sulphate occurs naturally in the earths crust and is present in some minerals including tschermigite

Substance production

Commercially, it is produced from aluminium hydroxide, sulfuric acid and ammonium sulfate.

Uses

Repellent

Target pests

Birds; Cats; Dogs; Rats; Possums; Rabbits

Target host

Fruit; Ornamentals; Grassland; Row crops; Combinable crops - grains, oilseeds and pulses; Amenity areas

Farming system suitability

CAS RN

7784-26-1

Alternative/old CAS RN

7784-25-1 (dodecahydrate)

EC number

232-055-3

CIPAC number

840

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

3032540

CLP index number

No data found

Molecular mass

237.15

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

aluminium ammonium sufate dodecahydrate

IUPAC name

aluminium ammonium sufate dodecahydrate

CAS name

aluminium ammonium sulfate dodecahydrate

Other status information

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)

Not applicable

Fungicide Resistance Class (FRAC MOA class)

Not applicable

Examples of recorded resistance

Physical state

White crystalline powder

Formulations

Property

Product

Manufacturer

Example products

Curb Crop Spray Powder

Laronkarn Ltd

Formulation and application details

Available in a variety of formulations including wettable powders and liquids.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

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

10467

High

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

10000

Heptane

10000

p-Xylene

10000

Ethyl acetate

10000

Acetone

Melting point (°C)

94.5

Boiling point (°C)

200

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

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

1.00 X 10^-02

Calculated

Log P

-2.0

Low

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

1.64

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

1.00 X 10^-10

Low volatility

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

Not relevant

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Not relevant

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

General biodegradability

Readily biodegradability

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

0.1

Non-persistent

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

0.1

Non-persistent

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

DT₅₀ modelling endpoint

Note

Best available data. In unsterilised soil, substance is mineralized rapidly, and subsequently nitrified

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

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

Value

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

0.1

Fast

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)

Non-mobile

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

125000

Notes and range

Expert judgement

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 2000

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)

> 1000

Eisenia foetida

Low

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)

> 100

Apis mellifera

Low

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

> 100

Apis mellifera

Low

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) as Mortality LR₅₀ g ha⁻¹ 48 hr

> 20000

Aphidius rhopalosiphi

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites) as Mortality LR₅₀ g ha⁻¹ 48 hr

> 20000

Typhlodromus pyri

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)

> 100

Oncorhynchus mykiss

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)

> 100

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)

23.3

Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata

Low

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

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC 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)

> 2000

Rat

Low

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

2000

Rat

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

0.1

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

0.1

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

0.001

SF=100

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

0.01

Dermal penetration studies (%)

1.0

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Modest risk identified during the application period

Occupational

PPE/PPC recommended to reduce exposure

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Mainly eliminated via the urine

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

Harmful if swallowed
Irritant to respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Not explosive or oxidising
Not expected to auto-ignite; Not highly flammable

CLP classification 2013

Health: H315, H319, H335
Environment: H412

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

aluminium ammonium sulphate

French

sulfate d'ammonium d'aluminium

German

Aluminiumammoniumsulfat

Danish

aluminiumammoniumsulfat

Italian

solfato di alluminio e di ammonio

Spanish

sulfato del amonio del alumino

Greek

Polish

siarczan amonowo glinowy

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	17/07/2024
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