EFSA concludes use of zinc phosphide in rodenticides poses low risk

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published its conclusion regarding the mammalian toxicity of zinc phosphide.

The conclusion, which covers use as a rodenticide in forestry, indicates that the data available on mammalian toxicology are sufficient to carry out the human health assessments at EU level for the representative use. No significant residues in plant or animal matrices are expected based on the product being applied in a targeted manner. Therefore consumer risk assessments are not required.

The data available on environmental fate and behaviour are sufficient to carry out the required environmental exposure assessments at EU level for the representative use.

Based on the insignificant exposure expected from the intended mode of application, the risk to birds and non-target mammals was assessed as low as was risk to aquatic organisms, bees, non-target arthropods, earthworms, non-target soil macro- and micro-organisms, non-target plants, and the function of waste water treatment plants.

The substance is one of 80 being reassessed for inclusion in Annex I of the pesticide marketing Directive (CW 16 July 2010).

• EFSA conclusion summary
• EFSA conclusion