Gateway on Pesticide Hazards and Safe Pest Management

MCPB (4-(2-Methyl-4-chlorophenoxy) butyric acid)

General Information

• Product Names:
  MCPB Technical Acid (Nufarm)
• Chemical Class: Phenoxy compound
• Uses: Registered for use on pea crops before flowering, for post-emergence control of broadleaf annual and perennial weeds including Canadian thistle, buttercup, mustard, purslane, ragweed, common lambsquarters, pigweed, smartweed, sowthistle, and morning glory.
• Alternatives: Organic agriculture
• Beyond Pesticides rating: Toxic

Health and Environmental Effects

• Cancer: Possibly (3)
• Endocrine Disruption: Not documented
• Reproductive Effects: Not documented
• Neurotoxicity: Yes (8)
• Kidney/Liver Damage: Yes (8)
• Sensitizer/ Irritant: Not documented
• Birth/Developmental: Not documented
• Detected in Groundwater: Not documented
• Potential Leacher: Not documented
• Toxic to Birds: Yes (8)
• Toxic to Fish/Aquatic Organisms: Not documented
• Toxic to Bees: Not documented

Additional Information

• Regulatory Status:
  • EPA Reregistration Eligibility Document (RED) signed (3/2006)
• Supporting information:
  • PAN Pesticide Database – MCPB (Pesticide Action Network)
• Studies:
• Combined exposure to low doses of pesticides causes decreased birth weights in rats. Hass U, Christiansen S, Axelstad M, Scholze M, Boberg J. 2017. Reprod Toxicol. 72:97-105