Eggshell powder |
![]() Last updated: 15/09/2025 |
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(Also known as: calcite from eggshells; calcinated eggshell powder) |
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Eggshell powder for animal use is mainly used a natural source of calcium carbonate | |
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Nutritional additive | |
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Poultry |
Approval status |
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Approved - available as an authorised veterinary medicine for general sale (AVM-GSL) | |
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Approved |
Chemical structure |
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Not applicable | |
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General status |
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Poultry feed additive | |
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Fertiliser; Soil conditioner; Antimicrobial | |
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Animal-derived substance | |
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Natural | |
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Physical brarrier - the substance provides a waterproofing effect which inhibits fungal infections that thrive in damp conditions. Nutritional supplement for poultry. | |
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[None] | |
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Neutritional supplement | |
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None allocated | |
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No | |
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eggshell powder | |
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Approved via EU & UK 'Basic substance' legislation (Article 28 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009) | |
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White powdery solid |
Commercial |
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Current | |||
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Early 1990s, informal use recorded | |||
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Usually formulated as a dustable powder applied via atomizer duster for agriculture with powder coating option. Also used as a poultry feed additive. | |||
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Commercial production of eggshell powder for crop protection begins with the collection of waste eggshells from poultry farms or food processing facilities. These shells are first thoroughly washed to remove residual egg white, dirt, and microbial contaminants. After cleaning, they are dried using sun drying or industrial dryers to reduce moisture and prevent microbial growth. The dried shells are then ground into a fine powder using hammer mills, ball mills, or pulverisers, followed by sieving to ensure uniform particle size. | |||
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Eggshell powder is a recycled by-product, meaning its raw material (eggshell waste) has zero additional GHG emissions from sourcing. The energy use comes mainly from drying and grinding, which can be minimised with renewable energy or efficient machinery. This is estimated at 0.6–1.1 kg CO₂e/kg powdered eggshell. These are approximate values based on small-scale, semi-automated setups. |
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Natural substance and unlikely to cause any environmental concerns |
Degradation |
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AEFSA supporting document 2023: Inorganic compounds like calcium are not expected to degrade in the environment but, as a plant nutrient, may be used by the plant. | ||||||||||
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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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> 5000 | Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources Rat3 = Unverified data of known source |
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Aquatic ecotoxicology |
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General |
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> 5000 | Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources Rat3 = Unverified data of known source |
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Eggshell powder is primarily composed of calcium carbonate is partially absorbed by the body and partially eliminated via urine or faeces. | Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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Health issues |
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No significant risks identified Processed eggs shell powder may contain toxic heavy metals |
Handling issues |
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No information available | |||
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eggshell powder | ||
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Record last updated: | 15/09/2025 |
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 |