Physicochemical and Toxicological Characteristics of Sulfluramide and its Environmental Implications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5132/eec.2024.02.05Keywords:
Aquatic life, Ecotoxicity, Occurrence, PFOS, Potability, Risk assessmentAbstract
Sulfluramid is an agrotoxic classified as an insecticide and is used to combat leaf-cutting ants. This insecticide is applied to the soil as pellets and has perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) as its main degradation product. In the environment, sulfluramid tends to remain on the soil, presenting low solubility and hydrophobic characteristics. Its degradation product, PFOS, does not remain on the soil and is soluble in water. Sulfluramid has not been found in Brazilian waters, and it has been detected in European river waters at levels below the detection and quantification limits of the methods used. On the other hand, PFOS has been found in Brazilian drinking, surface, and groundwater. A potability criterion of 0.0015 mg/L for sulfluramid was calculated, but due to the lack of aquatic life ecotoxicology data for sulfluramid, it was not possible to calculate the aquatic life protection criteria. However, this criteria was calculated for PFOS, resulting in a value of 0.002 mg/L. Furthermore, USEPA has established a maximum value for PFOS in drinking water of 4x10-6 mg/L. It was not possible to conclude whether sulfluramid is present at safe levels in Brazilian water. Regarding PFOS, it was concluded that its reported occurrence in Brazilian waters is not safe for human consumption but is at safe levels for aquatic life. Considering that sulfluramid is a source of PFOS in the environment and that this compound is a persistent organic pollutant (POP) with global restrictions under the Stockholm Convention, Brazilian authorities must take action to banish its use as an insecticide.
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