Chemistry:Ethalfluralin
Ethalfluralin is a herbicide. It is a preëmergent dinitroaniline developed from trifluralin, used to control annual grasses and broad-leaved weeds. It was synthesised in 1971, first sold in Turkey in 1975, the United States in 1983.[1] It is used on soybeans, peanuts, potatoes, and as of 2023, is the first conventional herbicide the EPA permits on hemp, as ethalfluralin leaves no residue in the plant.[2] Ethalfluralin is not approved for household use in the US.[3]
In 2024, ethalfluralin was registered in India.[4]
Mechanism of action
Health effects
Ethalfluralin is of low toxicity,[5] with a median lethal dose needed of over 5000 mg/kg,[1] which is less toxic than table salt (3000 mg/kg).
Ethalfluralin is practically non-toxic to birds and mammals, though it causes moderate eye and skin irritation, and skin sensitisation. Subchronic rat and mice studies saw effects to the liver and kidneys, reduced weight gain, and affected enzyme activity. The EPA regards ethalfluralin as a possible carcinogen, due to tumours in chronically exposed rats. Ethalfluralin did not affect the reproductive system or cause strong mutagenisis.[3]
Dietary effect is unlikely as ethalfluralin does not leave residues in plants and doesn't translocate.[2]
Environment
Ethalfluralin did not leach in soil, and the EPA expects it not to contaminate ground water, though it notes the chemically very similar trifluralin has been found in groundwater. Ethalfluralin is very toxic to fish.[3]
In tests, ethalfluralin disrupts zebrafish embryo development, decreasing survival rate, causing fluid retention in the heart and yolk sac, and apoptosis in larvae; possibly by inducing oxidative stress.[5]
Tradenames
Ethalfluralin has been sold as Gilan, Sonalan, Curbit, Sonalen and Edge.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Hertfordshire, University of. "Ethalfluralin (Ref: EL 161)". http://sitem.herts.ac.uk/aeru/ppdb/en/Reports/271.htm.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Etter, Kristina (29 August 2023). "Breakthrough for Hemp Growers: Ethalfluralin 1st Conventional Pesticide Tolerance Announced by EPA - Cannabis Tech". https://cannabistech.com/articles/ethalfluralin-pesticide-tolerance/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "R.E.D. Facts: Ethalfluralin". EPA. 1995. https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/reg_actions/reregistration/fs_PC-113101_1-Jan-95.pdf.
- ↑ "Saraswati Group launched new herbicide Sonalan HFP (Ethalfluralin) in India" (in en). Grainews. https://news.agropages.com/News/NewsDetail---51279.htm.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Hong, Taeyeon; Park, Hahyun; An, Garam; Song, Gwonhwa; Lim, Whasun (1 January 2023). "Ethalfluralin induces developmental toxicity in zebrafish via oxidative stress and inflammation". Science of the Total Environment 854. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158780. ISSN 0048-9697. PMID 36115403. Bibcode: 2023ScTEn.85458780H. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S004896972205879X.
External links
- Ethalfluralin in the Pesticide Properties DataBase (PPDB)
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