The information in this profile may be out-of-date. It was last revised in 1996. EXTOXNET no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

Please visit the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) to find updated pesticide fact sheets. If you don't find a fact sheet related to your question, feel free to call 1-800-858-7378. NPIC is open five days a week from 8:00am to 12:00pm Pacific Time.



E X T O X N E T

Extension Toxicology Network

Pesticide Information Profiles

A Pesticide Information Project of Cooperative Extension Offices of Cornell University, Oregon State University, the University of Idaho, and the University of California at Davis and the Institute for Environmental Toxicology, Michigan State University. Major support and funding was provided by the USDA/Extension Service/National Agricultural Pesticide Impact Assessment Program.

EXTOXNET primary files maintained and archived at Oregon State University

Revised 9/95.

SULFUR

TRADE OR OTHER NAMES: The active ingredient sulfur is found in a variety of commercial fungicides. Some trade names for products containing sulfur include Cosan, Crisazufre, Hexasul, Sulflox, Tiolene, and Thiolux (223, 207). Crisazufre and Sulflox are marketed outside the U.S. (223). The compound may be used in combination with other fungicides that include nitrothal-isopropyl, rotenone, thiabendazole, mancozeb, sodium pentaborate, urea, carbendazim + maneb, and cymoxanil + copper oxychloride (1).

REGULATORY STATUS: Sulfur is a general use pesticide (GUP). Check with specific state restrictions which may apply. Products containing the active ingredient sulfur must bear the Signal Word "Caution" on their label (223).

INTRODUCTION: Sulfur is a non-systemic contact and protectant fungicide with secondary acaricidal activity. It is used for control of brown rot of peaches, powdery mildew of apples, gooseberries, hops, ornamentals, grapes, peaches, strawberries, sugar beets, apple scab, gall mite on blackcurrant, peanut leafspot, mildew on roses, mites on beans, carrots, lucerne, melons, and tomatoes, etc. (1, 242, 223). Sulfur is also used on livestock and in agricultural premises (207).

Sulfur in its elemental reduced or oxidized forms represents approximately 1.9% of the total weight of the earth. The sulfates and sulfides are common in their various mineral forms. Most aquatic and terrestrial environments are high in sulfur, sulfur-deficient environments being quite rare in nature (358). Sulfur is considered non-corrosive and may cause tarnishing of some metals (1).

FORMULATION: Sulfur comes in wettable, flowable and colloidal formulations (1). Compatibility with other products is considered good. Numerous mixed products with insecticides and fungicides are manufactured. For reasons of phytotoxicity, mixing sulfur with oils should be avoided (1, 223). Inert material is usually added during manufacture to prevent electrostatic "balling" (242).

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 (357). It was first used around 1880 (207). Currently, sulfur is registered in the U.S. 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 (357).

TOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS

ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND GUIDELINES

Physical Properties:

Exposure Guidelines:

BASIC MANUFACTURER:

Various manufacturers

REFERENCES

References for the information in this PIP can be found in Reference List Number 10

DISCLAIMER: The information in this profile does not in any way replace or supersede the information on the pesticide product label/ing or other regulatory requirements. Please refer to the pesticide product label/ing.