United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Pesticides And
Toxic Substances
(7508W)
738-F-91-110
May 1991
R.E.D. FACTS
Pesticide
Reregistration
Sulfur
Regulatory
History
Sulfur
All pesticides sold or used in the United States must be registered by
EPA, based on scientific studies showing that they can be used without pos-
ing unreasonable risks to people or the environment. Because of advances
in scientific knowledge, the law requires that pesticides which were first
registered years ago be reregistered to ensure that they meet today's more
stringent standards.
In evaluating pesticides for reregistration, EPA obtains from pesticide
producers and reviews a complete set of studies showing the human health
and environmental effects of each pesticide. The Agency imposes any
regulatory controls that are needed to effectively manage each pesticide's
risks. EPA then reregisters pesticides that can be used without posing
undue hazards to human health or the environment.
When a pesticide is eligible for reregistration, EPA announces this and
explains why in a Reregistration Eligibility Document, or RED. This fact
sheet summarizes the information in the RED for sulfur.
The element sulfur is a ubiquitous, natural component of the
environment. Currently, sulfur is registered by EPA for use as an
insecticide, fungicide and rodenticide on several hundred food and feed
crop, ornamental, turf and residential sites. It is also used as a fertilizer or
soil amendment for reclaiming alkaline soils. Sulfur is applied in dust,
granular or liquid form, and is an active ingredient in nearly 300 registered
pesticide products. All registered uses of sulfur are eligible for
reregistration.
Sulfur has been known and used as a pesticide since very early times,
and has been registered for pesticidal use in the United States since the
1920s. EPA issued a Registration Standard for sulfur in December 1982.
The only data requirement imposed at that time was a proposal for crop
reentry intervals. No additional generic data have been required since then.
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Health All °f EPA's toxicology data requirements for sulfur have been
Effects satisfied for a number of years. Sulfur is known to be of low toxicity, and
poses very little if any risk to human health.
Acute Effects
Short-term studies show that sulfur is of very low acute oral toxicity
and does not irritate the skin (it has been placed in Toxicity Category IV,
the least toxic category, for these effects) . Sulfur also is not a skin
sensitizer. However, sulfur can cause some eye irritation, dermal toxicity
and inhalation hazards (it has been placed in Toxicity Category III for these
effects) .
Chronic Effects
Chronic exposure to elemental sulfur at low levels is generally
recognized as safe. Epidemiological studies show that mine workers
exposed to sulfur dust and sulfur dioxide throughout their lives often had
eye and respiratory disturbances, chronic bronchitis and chronic sinus
effects. However, no known risks of oncogenic, teratogenic, or
reproductive effects are associated with the use of sulfur. Also, sulfur has
been shown to be non-mutagenic in microorganisms.
ROLltGS We are all exposed to sulfur, since this element is ubiquitous in the
Of Ex DOS U re environment. Sulfur in its various forms represents about 1.9 percent of the
total weight of the earth. Most terrestrial and aquatic environments contain
high levels of sulfur.
Through the Diet
People may be exposed to small amounts of sulfur through the food
supply. However, since sulfur does not pose any relevant toxic effects, no
dietary risk assessment was performed. Sulfur is generally recognized as
safe, as noted in 40 CFR 180. 2(a), so no tolerances (or residue limits) need
be established for residues of sulfur in or on food or feed commodities.
During Application
People can be exposed to sulfur while mixing, loading or applying the
pesticide, and while working among treated crops. Based on incidents of
skin and eye irritation reported among field workers in California, EPA has
determined that a hazard exists for workers reentering fields following foliar
application of sulfur dust. Therefore, a 24-hour reentry interval and
protective clothing requirements must be added to the labeling of all outdoor
use sulfur products.
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the environmental fate and ecological effects data requirements are
Hazards satisfied for sulfur. This ubiquitous substance does not cause unreasonable
adverse effects in the environment when used according to approved
labeling, and poses little or no hazard to non-target organisms.
Additional Data
Required
Product Labeling
Changes Required
Regulatory
Conclusion
Environmental Fate
In the 1982 Registration Standard, all environmental fate data
requirements were waived for sulfur based on the fact that it is a natural
component of the environment. The use of elemental sulfur as a pesticide
or a soil amendment is not an environmental concern because it becomes
incorporated into the natural sulfur cycle.
Ecological Effects
In six studies on ecological effects (involving bobwhite quail, two fish
species, daphnia, mysid shrimp and honey bees), sulfur has been shown to
be practically non-toxic to the species tested. Thus, although there is
potential for non-target organisms to be exposed to sulfur, little hazard to
these species is expected to result.
The generic data base supporting the reregistration of products
containing sulfur has been reviewed and determined to be complete. No
further generic data are required to support reregistration. Some product-
specific data are being required, as described in Appendix D to the
Reregistration Eligibility Document.
All end-use outdoor sulfur product labels must bear an updated water
contamination warning, and a 24-hour reentry statement and protective
clothing requirements to protect handlers and field workers from adverse
skin and eye effects. Please see the Reregistration Eligibility Document for
the exact wording of these required label statements.
* The studies available to EPA indicate that the element sulfur is of
low toxicity, and its use as a pesticide poses very little known hazard to
people and nontarget species.
* Sulfur dust can cause eye and skin irritation to people who handle
the pesticide or come into contact with treated foliage during field work.
Therefore, a 24-hour reentry interval and protective clothing requirements
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For More
Information
must be included on all outdoor sulfur product labels.
* The pesticide sulfur can be used without causing unreasonable
adverse effects in people or the environment. Therefore, all pesticide
products containing sulfur as the sole active ingredient are eligible for
reregistration.
* EPA will reregister individual products containing sulfur once
product specific data and revised product labeling are submitted to and
accepted by the Agency.
EPA is requesting public comments on the Reregistration Eligibility
Document for sulfur during a 60-day time period, as announced in a Notice
of Availability published in the Federal Register. To obtain a copy of the
RED, or to submit written comments, please contact the Public Response
and Program Resources Branch, Field Operations Division (7506C), Office
of Pesticide Programs, U.S. EPA, Washington, D.C. 20460, telephone 703-
557-4436, or Fax #703-557-1884. Please note that after the comment
period closes, the RED will be available from NTIS, at the address and
telephone number below.
To obtain a copy of the December 1982 Registration Standard for
sulfur, please contact the National Technical Information Service (NTIS),
5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA. 22161, telephone 703-487-4650.
Request document #PB86-102043.
For more information about sulfur or about EPA's pesticide
reregistration program, please contact the Special Review and Reregistration
Division (7508W), Office of Pesticide Programs, U.S. EPA, Washington,
D.C. 20460, telephone 703-808-8000, or Fax #703-308-8005.
For information about the health effects of pesticides, or for assistance
in recognizing and managing pesticide poisoning symptoms, please contact
the National Pesticides Telecommunications Network (NPTN). Call toll-
free 1-800-858-7378, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or Fax your
inquiry to 806-743-3094.
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