Zinc sulphate

Zinc sulphate	Last updated: 07/09/2025
(Also known as: zinc sulfate; white vitriol; zinc vitriol; sulfuric acid zinc salt; sulphuric acid zinc salt)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

An inorganic compound with antibacterial activity

Examples of veterinary uses

Used as a feed supplement to treat and prevent zinc deficiency and as a topical antisepetic for treating conditions such as foot rot

Examples of species treated

Sheep; Cattle

Approval status

VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)

Approved - usually available as an authorised veterinary medicine for general sale (AVM-GSL)

EU Regulatory approval status

Approved

Chemical structure

Isomerism

None

Chemical formula

ZnSO₄

Canonical SMILES

[O-]S(=O)(=O)[O-].[Zn+2]

Isomeric SMILES

No data

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

NWONKYPBYAMBJT-UHFFFAOYSA-L

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/H2O4S.Zn/c1-5(2,3)4;/h(H2,1,2,3,4);/q;+2/p-2

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Veterinary substance type

Feed additive, Mineral supplement, Antiseptic, Astringent

Substance groups

Inorganic compound

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

Antiseptic action results from the precipitation of protein and a cleaning action by the zinc ion

Molecular targets

[No specific molecular target]

CAS RN

7733-02-0

EC number

231-793-3

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

089001

PubChem CID

Therapeutic Class

Dermatologicals: Products for the treatment of claws and hoofs

ATCvet Code

QD51

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Allowed substance (Table 1: All food producing species)

Molecular mass

161.47

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

zinc sulphate

CAS name

zinc sulphate

Forever chemical

Other status information

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

White powder

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Introduction & key dates

1966, recorded animal use; mid-1990s, first EU authorisation for animal health

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

Shep Fair Products Ltd

Example products using this active

Golden Hoof Powder

Formulation and application details

Usually formulated as feed additives or tablets when used a nutrional supplement or as topically-applied sprays, powders and ointments

Commercial production

Zinc sulphate is typically produced by reacting zinc oxide or zinc carbonate with dilute sulphuric acid in a controlled chemical process. When zinc oxide is used, it dissolves in sulphuric acid to form zinc sulphate solution and water. The reaction is exothermic and requires careful temperature control. The resulting solution is then filtered to remove any insoluble impurities, and evaporated to concentrate the zinc sulphate. As the solution cools, crystals of zinc sulphate heptahydrate begin to form.

Impact on climate of production and use

The GHG emissions from zinc sulphate production depend heavily on the source material and energy inputs used in the process. While precise figures are scarce, according to the International Zinc Association, producing 1 tonne of special high-grade zinc, a common precursor for zinc sulphate, can emit between 1.5 to 3.5 tonnes of CO₂e, depending on the technology and energy mix. If zinc oxide is used as the starting material, the additional reaction with sulphuric acid contributes marginally to emissions, mostly through process heat and electricity consumption. The GHG footprint per tonne of zinc sulphate is likely to fall in the lower end of that range, especially if renewable energy is used. However, if fossil fuels dominate the energy supply, emissions can be significantly higher.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

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

220000

High

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

Melting point (°C)

Decomposes before melting

Boiling point (°C)

Decomposes before boiling

Degradation point (°C)

680

Flashpoint (°C)

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

Log P

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

3.54

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

1.658

Environmental release

Substance may enter the environment via the urine and faeces of treated animals

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

Note

Manure DT₅₀ (days)

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)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Sediment 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)

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)

> 1710

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 dw soil)

> 600

Lumbricus terrestris 12 day

Moderate

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

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

Notes

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)

< 4.0

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Moderate

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

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

2.75

Danio rerio

Moderate

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

> 0.12

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)

> 0.02

Ceriodaphnia dubia

High

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

0.192

Americamysis bahia 7 day

Moderate

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 (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹) (EC₅₀)

2.31

Spirodela polyrhiza

Moderate

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves – Acute EC₅₀, mortality (mg l⁻¹)

0.5

Crassostrea gigas

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)

> 1710

Rat

Moderate

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

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

Subcutaneous LD₅₀ = 330 mg kg⁻¹

Rat

Intraperitoneal LD₅₀ = 196 mg kg⁻¹

Rat

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

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

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

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

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Majority (~90%) excreted in the faeces with remainder in the urine

Health issues

Specific human health issues (hazard-based)

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

No data found

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

Harmful if ingested
May cause respiratory problems
Possible liver and kidney toxicant

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Corrosive
IMDG Transport Hazard Class 9

CLP classification 2013

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

UN3077

Waste disposal & packaging

Packaging Group III (minor danger)

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

zinc sulphate

French

sulfate de zinc

German

Danish

Italian

Spanish

Greek

Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	07/09/2025
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