The rate of leaching of sodium monofluoroacetate (1080) by simulated rainfall was determined for carrot and possum pellet baits containing 0.08 and 0.15% 1080. Carrot baits were highly water-resistant and showed no decline in 1080 concentration after 200 mm of rain. It is therefore inadvisable to use carrot bait in arid areas when rapid restocking of land is required after a control operation, but they may be particularly suitable for forest habitats. Of the two types of pellet (Wanganui No. 7 and RS5) tested, RS5 pellets were the less water-resistant and started to disintegrate after only 5 mm of rain. The 1080 concentration also declined more rapidly in these pellets. So that toxicity is retained for the maximum length of time, RS5 pellets should be used in arid areas and Wanganui No. 7 pellets in wetter environments, when pellets are the bait of choice. RS5 pellets should be used if rapid return of stock to the land is required,.

Gas chromatography confirmed the relatively high concentrations of fluoroacetate found in toxic Gastrolobiums, a genus of indigenous Australian plants. Fluoroacetate concentration in these plants ranged from 0.1 to 3875 micrograms/g (ppm) dry weight, with young leaves and flowers containing the highest concentrations. However, there was considerable intrastand variation between individual plants of at least two species with coefficients of variation ranging from 94% to 129%. Despite the high concentrations of fluoroacetate in many species, only one of nine soil samples collected from beneath these plants contained fluoroacetate. None of the 16 water samples collected from nearby streams and catchment dams contained fluoroacetate. This suggests that fluoroacetate does not persist in this environment. Fluoroacetate was also found in the genus Nemcia, and very low levels of fluoroacetate (ng/g) were detected in the foodstuffs, tea and guar gum. The latter indicates that other plant species may produce biologically insignificant amounts of fluoroacetate.