Uric acid |

Last updated: 24/08/2025
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(Also known as: lithic cid; coyote urine; fox urine) |
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. These hazard alerts do not take account of usage patterns or exposure, thus do not represent risk.
Environmental fate |
Ecotoxicity |
Human health |
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A product of purine metabolism in humans and other carnivores which is excreted in urine and which can act as a repellent for various mammals |
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Deer; Skunks; Rabbits; Gofers; Cats; Other damaging mammals |
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Non-food areas - open ground; Ranchland; Residential areas |
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Not approved |
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Not applicable |
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No UK approval for use as a plant protection agent |
EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414) |
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Not approved |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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No |
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ATAustria |
BEBelgium |
BGBulgaria |
CYCyprus |
CZCzech Republic |
DEGermany |
DKDenmark |
EEEstonia |
ELGreece |
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ESSpain |
FIFinland |
FRFrance |
HRCroatia |
HUHungary |
IEIreland |
ITItaly |
LTLithuania |
LULuxembourg |
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LVLatvia |
MTMalta |
NLNetherlands |
PLPoland |
PTPortugal |
RORomania |
SESweden |
SISlovenia |
SKSlovakia |
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ISIceland |
NONorway |
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Uric acid itself is not isomeric in the traditional sense, but it does exhibit lactam–lactim tautomerism, meaning it can exist in multiple tautomeric forms that involves the relocation of a hydrogen atom and a shift in bonding. The lactam form is the most stable and predominant form in crystalline and physiological conditions. Whereas the lactim form is less stable, but still detectable under certain conditions. These forms differ in the placement of hydrogen atoms and double bonds within the purine ring structure. |
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C₅H₄N₄O₃ |
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C12=C(NC(=O)N1)NC(=O)NC2=O |
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- |
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LEHOTFFKMJEONL-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
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InChI=1S/C5H4N4O3/c10-3-1-2(7-4(11)6-1)8-5(12)9-3/h(H4,6,7,8,9,10,11,12) |
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Yes |
Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams |
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Common Name |
Relationship |
Link |
uric acid |
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Semiochemical; Other substance |
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Fertiliser |
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Animal-derived substance; Micro-organism derived substance |
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Natural |
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Repellent activity |
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Uric acid was first isolated from human kidney stones. A product of purine metabolism in humans and other creatures (including mammals, birds, reptiles) which is excreted in urine and faeces. It is also a metabolite of Escherichia coli |
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General pest management |
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Deer; Skunks; Rabbits; Gofers; Cats; Other damaging mammals |
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Non-food areas - open ground; Ranchland; Residential areas |
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- |
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69-93-2 |
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200-720-7 |
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- |
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1175 |
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168.11 |
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7,9-dihydro-3H-purine-2,6,8-trione |
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7,9-dihydro-3H-purine-2,6,8-trione |
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2,6,8-trioxypurine |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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A white tasteless odorless crystalline substance |
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Not commercally available as a pesticide |
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2004, first registered in USA as dominant chemical in fox and coyote urine |
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Often formulated as ready-to-use products and liquid concentrates |
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Commercial production of uric acid, involves synthetic chemical processes rather than natural extraction. The most recognised method involves heating urea with glycine, two readily available organic compounds. Modern industrial synthesis uses controlled reactions to produce high-purity uric acid in crystalline form. The compound is then purified through recrystallisation and filtration. In the past the main source of uric acid for commercial production was waste matter deposited by seabirds, commonly known as guano. Seabirds excrete uric acid-rich waste, which accumulates in large quantities in some coastal areas. The process involved extracting guano with alkali, then precipitating uric acid using acid. However, extracting pure uric acid from guano is not commonly practiced today due to the complexity of purification and the availability of synthetic production methods, which are more efficient and scalable. |
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GHG emissions from the production of uric acid are not well-documented in the public domain. However, emissions can be roughly estimated based on general chemical manufacturing processes for similar small-molecule organic compounds. Such compounds typically have carbon footprints ranging from 5 to 20 kg CO₂e per kg of product, depending on the energy source (renewable vs fossil), process efficiency and the scale of production. |
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60 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
Moderate |
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300 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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6.76 X 10-03 |
Calculated |
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-2.17 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
Low |
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5.4 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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Readily biodegradable |
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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. |
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Soil adsorption and mobility |
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None
Terrestrial ecotoxicology |
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> 5000 |
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Low |
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HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION |
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> 5000 |
Rat |
Low |
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5000 |
Rat |
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Carcinogen |
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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 |
No data found |
No data found |
Respiratory tract irritant |
Skin irritant |
Skin sensitiser |
No data found |
No data found |
No data found |
Eye irritant |
Phototoxicant |
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No data found |
No data found |
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No information available |
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Corrosive |
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Not listed (Not listed) |
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uric acid |
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Record last updated: |
24/08/2025 |
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 |