4-Chlorophenoxyacetic acid

Agent Name
4-Chlorophenoxyacetic acid
CAS Number
122-88-3
Formula
C8-H7-Cl-O3
Major Category
Pesticides
4-Chlorophenoxyacetic acid formula graphical representation
Synonyms
(4-Chlorophenoxy)acetic acid; 4-CP; 4-CPA; 4CPA; Acetic acid, (4-chlorophenoxy)-; Acetic acid, (p-chlorophenoxy)-; BI 12; CPA; Kyselina 4-chlorfenoxyoctova [Czech]; Marks 4-CPA; PCPA; Parachlorophenoxyacetic acid; Sure-Set; Tomato Fix; Tomato Fix concentrate; Tomato hold; Tomatotone; p-Chlorophenoxyacetic acid; [ChemIDplus]
Category
Herbicides, Chlorophenoxy
Description
Odorless solid; [HSDB] White or off-white powder; [MSDSonline]
Sources/Uses
Used as a specialized plant growth regulator to improve fruit set in tomatoes, berries, and other fruit; May also be used to replace pollination; [HSDB] Used to regulate root growth of mung beans in seed germination; [Reference #1]
Comments
Caused severe eye irritation but no skin irritation in studies with rabbits; Effects in high-dose 13 week feeding studies with rats include decrease in weight gain and "increased incidence of slight hepatic lymphohistiocytic infiltrates and slight individual hepatocellular necrosis in males" (NOEL = 2000 ppm, LOEL = 8000 ppm); [HSDB] Chlorophenoxy herbicides are possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B); [IARC] See "2,4D."
Restricted
Registration cancelled for use on tomatoes in 1994; [Reference #1]
Reference Link #1
Biomedical References

Exposure Assessment

Vapor Pressure
0.000318 mm Hg
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (rat) > 5,250 mg/m3

Adverse Effects

Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: