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. |
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Inert mineral used as a carrier in some pesticide products and sometimes used as an insecticide to control crawling insects | |
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Current | |
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1956, silica gel first registered USA; 1960, silicon dioxide first registered US | |
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Approval status |
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Chemical structure |
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None | |
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SiO₂ | |
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O=[Si]=O | |
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VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N | |
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InChI=1S/O2Si/c1-3-2 | |
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Yes |
General status |
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Carrier | |
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Inorganic compound | |
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Natural | |
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Inert but acts as an insecticide via its abrasive and desiccant physical properties | |
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7631-86-9 | |
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231-545-4 | |
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None allocated | |
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072605 | |
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24261 | |
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No data found | |
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60.08 | |
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dioxosilane | |
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silicon dioxide | |
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White powder |
Formulations |
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120 | Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
Moderate | ||||||||
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1610 | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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2.2 | Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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Degradation |
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730 | Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
Very persistent | |||||||
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Literature states that the substance is stable in soil | ||||||||||
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Stable | Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
Stable | |||||||
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Stable | Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
Stable | |||||||
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Stable | Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
Stable | ||||||||
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Stable | Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
Stable | ||||||||
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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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Fate indices |
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Known metabolites |
None
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Terrestrial ecotoxicology |
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5110 | R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications Rat3 = Unverified data of known source |
Low | ||||||||
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Aquatic ecotoxicology |
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> 1000 | Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources Danio rerio3 = Unverified data of known source |
Low | ||||||||
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> 1000 | Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources Daphnia magna3 = Unverified data of known source |
Low | ||||||||
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440 | Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata3 = Unverified data of known source |
Low | ||||||||
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General |
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High (class III) | - | - | ||||||||
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5110 | R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications Rat3 = Unverified data of known source |
Low | ||||||||
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5000 | R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications Rabbit3 = Unverified data of known source |
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2.2 | A4 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) Rat4 = Verified data |
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None allocated | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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None allocated | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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0.3 | A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) as mg m³ (inhalation)5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes |
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Public may become exposed via their diets but substance is relatively benign by this route | |||||||||
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Serious risk to operators and other workers - PPE/PPC required | ||||||||||
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Health issues |
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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 |
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Prevent generation of dust | |||
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Health: H315, H319, H332, H335} | |||
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Not listed (Not listed) | |||
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silica | ||
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silice cristalline | ||
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kristallenes Silikon | ||
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siliciumdioxid | ||
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silicone cristallino | ||
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silicona cristalina | ||
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krystaliczna krzemionka | ||
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Kiseldioxid | ||
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kristallijn kiezelzuur | ||
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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 |