E X T O X N E T
Extension Toxicology Network
A Pesticide Information Project of Cooperative Extension Offices of
Cornell University, Michigan State University, Oregon State University, and
University of California at Davis. Major support and funding was provided
by the USDA/Extension Service/National Agricultural Pesticide Impact
Assessment Program.
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Pesticide
Information
Profile
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Ethion
Publication Date: 9/93
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TRADE OR OTHER NAMES
Trade names include Ethanox, Ethiol, Hylemox, Nialate, Rhodiacide,
Rhodocide, RP-Thion, Tafethion, Vegfru Fosmite.
INTRODUCTION
Ethion is an organophosphate pesticide used to kill aphids, mites,
scales, thrips, leafhoppers, maggots and foliar feeding larvae. It may
be used on a wide variety of food, fiber and ornamental crops, including
greenhouse crops, lawns and turf. Ethion is often used on citrus and
apples (1, 5). It is mixed with oil and sprayed on dormant trees to
kill eggs and scales. Ethion may also be used on cattle. It is
available in dust, emulsifiable concentrate, emulsifiable solution,
granular and wettable powder formulations. Products containing ethion
must bear the signal word "Warning" (2). EPA has established re-entry
intervals of from 2 to 30 days, depending on the crop, for ethion (8).
Ethion is one of a class of insecticides referred to as
organophosphates. These chemicals act by interfering with the
activities of cholinesterase, an enzyme that is essential for the proper
working of the nervous systems of both humans and insects. Please refer
to the Toxicology Information Brief on cholinesterase-inhibition for a
more detailed description of this topic.
TOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS
ACUTE TOXICITY
Ethion is highly toxic by inhalation, dermal exposure, and
ingestion. Like most organophosphates, ethion is readily absorbed
through the skin. Skin which has come in contact with this material
should be washed immediately with soap and water and all contaminated
clothing should be removed. It may cause contact burns (11). Ethion is
almost non-volatile at normal temperatures, but when it is used as a
spray, it is easily inhaled (14). If ethion is inhaled, runny nose and
a sensation of tightness in the chest are common complaints(12).
Persons with respiratory ailments, recent exposure to cholinesterase
inhibitors, impaired cholinesterase production, or with liver
malfunction may be at increased risk from exposure to ethion. High
environmental temperatures or exposure of ethion to visible or UV light
may enhance its toxicity (6).
Ethion may be very irritating to the eye. It caused slight
inflammation and redness in the eye and skin, both of which cleared
within 48 hours. Ethion is not a skin sensitizer (8).
The organophosphate insecticides are cholinesterase inhibitors.
They are highly toxic by all routes of exposure. When inhaled, the
first effects are usually respiratory and may include bloody or runny
nose, coughing, chest discomfort, difficult or short breath, and
wheezing due to constriction or excess fluid in the bronchial tubes.
Skin contact with organophosphates may cause localized sweating and
involuntary muscle contractions. Eye contact will cause pain, bleeding,
tears, pupil constriction, and blurred vision. Following exposure by
any route, other systemic effects may begin within a few minutes or be
delayed for up to 12 hours. These may include pallor, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache, dizziness, eye pain, blurred
vision, constriction or dilation of the eye pupils, tears, salivation,
sweating, and confusion. Severe poisoning will affect the central
nervous system, producing incoordination, slurred speech, loss of
reflexes, weakness, fatigue, involuntary muscle contractions, twitching,
tremors of the tongue or eyelids, and eventually paralysis of the body
extremities and the respiratory muscles. In severe cases there may also
be involuntary defecation or urination, psychosis, irregular heart
beats, unconsciousness, convulsions and coma. Death may be caused by
respiratory failure or cardiac arrest (6).
Some organophosphates may cause delayed symptoms beginning 1 to 4
weeks after an acute exposure which may or may not have produced
immediate symptoms. In such cases, numbness, tingling, weakness and
cramping may appear in the lower limbs and progress to incoordination
and paralysis. Improvement may occur over months or years, but some
residual impairment will remain (6).
The amount of a chemical that is lethal to one-half (50%) of
experimental animals fed the material is referred to as its acute oral
lethal dose fifty, or LD50. The oral LD50 for pure ethion in rats is
208 mg/kg. The oral LD50 for technical ethion in rats is 13 to 191
mg/kg, and 40 mg/kg in mice and guinea pigs (2, 6). The dermal LD50 in
rats is 62 mg/kg, 915 mg/kg in guinea pigs, and 890 mg/kg in rabbits
(6).
The lethal concentration fifty, or LC50, is that concentration of a
chemical in air or water that kills half of the experimental animals
exposed to it for a set time period. The 4-hour LC50 for ethion in rats
is 0.864 mg/l (2).
CHRONIC TOXICITY
In a chronic toxicity study with rats fed 0, 0.1, 0.2 or 2
mg/kg/day for 18 months, decreased cholinesterase levels occurred in the
high dose group. No other toxic effects were observed. The NOEL for
this study was 0.2 mg/kg (9).
Repeated or prolonged exposure to organophosphates may result in
the same effects as acute exposure including the delayed symptoms.
Other effects reported in workers repeatedly exposed include impaired
memory and concentration, disorientation, severe depressions,
irritability, confusion, headache, speech difficulties, delayed reaction
times, nightmares, sleepwalking and drowsiness or insomnia. An
influenza-like condition with headache, nausea, weakness, loss of
appetite, and malaise has also been reported (6).
Reproductive Effects
A 3-generation reproduction study with rats given dietary doses as
high as 1.25 mg/kg/day did not show any ethion related reproductive
effects (8, 9). Once in the bloodstream, ethion may cross the placenta
(6).
Teratogenic Effects
When rats were given doses of 0, 0.2, 0.6 or 2.5 mg/kg on days 6
to 15 of pregnancy, developmental effects were seen only in the highest
dose tested. In fetuses of the high dose group, there was an increased
incidence of delayed ossification of the pubic bones. The developmental
NOEL in this study was 0.6 mg/kg. When rabbits were given doses of 0,
0.6, 2.4 or 9.6 mg/kg on days 6 to 18 of pregnancy, fetuses from the
highest dose tested exhibited an increased incidence of fused sternal
bones. The developmental NOEL in this study was 2.4 mg/kg (9).
Mutagenic Effects
Assays on gene mutation, structural chromosomal aberration, and
unscheduled DNA synthesis indicate that ethion is not mutagenic (8, 9).
Carcinogenic Effects
Ethion was not found to be carcinogenic in rats and mice (8).
There was no increase in the incidence of tumors in rats fed dietary
doses as high as 2 mg/kg/day for 18 months. No evidence of
carcinogenicity was observed in mice fed dietary doses of up to 1.2
mg/kg/day for 2 years (9).
Organ Toxicity
Ethion primarily affects the nervous system through cholinesterase
inhibition, by which there is a deactivation of cholinesterase, an
enzyme required for proper nerve functioning.
Fate in Humans and Animals
The literature reviewed is not specific, but ethion is probably
degraded in the same general way as other organophosphates.
ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Effects on Birds
Ethion is highly toxic to practically non-toxic to birds, depending
on the species. Ethion is highly toxic to songbirds (LD50 in Red-winged
blackbirds is 45 mg/kg). It is moderately toxic to medium sized birds
such as bobwhite quail (LD50 is 128.8 mg/kg) and starlings (>304 mg/kg).
Ethion is practically non-toxic to larger upland game birds (ring-necked
pheasant) and waterfowl (mallard duck) (9).
Because ethion is persistent in the environment and because it is
stored in plant and animal tissues, EPA is concerned that ethion may
adversely affect bird reproduction. EPA has called for studies on the
effects of ethion on bird reproduction (9).
Effects on Aquatic Organisms
Ethion is very highly toxic to freshwater and marine fish and to
freshwater invertebrates (7, 8). The 96-hour LC50 for ethion in
rainbow trout is 500 ug/l (2). The acute LC50 in Atlantic silversides
is 49 ppb, 49 ppb in bluegill sunfish, and in 720 ppb cutthroat trout
and flathead minnows. The LD50 for freshwater invertebrates is 0.056 to
7.7 ppb, depending on the species, and 5.6 to 49 ppb for marine and
estuarine invertebrates. Ethion accumulates in the tissues of fish (8,
9).
Effects on Other Nontarget Species
Ethion is practically non-toxic to honeybees. Its LD50 is 20.55
ug/bee (8, 9).
ENVIRONMENTAL FATE
The major metabolite of ethion is carbon dioxide (8).
Breakdown of Chemical in Soil and Groundwater
Ethion adsorbs strongly to soil particles and it is nearly
insoluble in water. It is therefore unlikely to leach or contaminate
groundwater (3). In soil, ethion is subject to microbial degradation.
It is resistant to hydrolysis, except in alkaline conditions (pH 9 or
above) (4, 8). Ethion is broken down in acids and bases. It is very
slowly broken down in the air (7).
Under laboratory conditions, the soil half-life of ethion was 1.3
to 8 weeks, but in a greenhouse with an organic soil, it was more
persistent, with half-lives of 16 to 49 weeks, depending on the degree
of watering. When used repeatedly, ethion residues in soil will
increase from one year to the next (4).
Breakdown of Chemical in Water
Ethion is almost insoluble in water (7). In open waters, it is
likely to adsorb to suspended particles and bottom sediments. The
persistence half-life of ethion varied from 4 to 22 weeks when tested in
three different natural waters under laboratory conditions. It breaks
down slowly in irrigation canal water (half-life = 26 days) (J. Agric.
Food Chem. 31 (4):704.1983). Its hydrolysis half-lives at 25 degrees C
are 63, 58, 25 and 8.4 weeks at pHs 5, 6, 7 and 8, respectively. The
half-life was 1 day at pH 10 and 30 degrees C. Microbial degradation of
ethion may be insignificant in open waters. Volatilization be important
only in shallow, rapidly moving streams. Photo-oxidation may occur in
sunlight. Bioconcentration of ethion may be significant (4).
Breakdown of Chemical in Vegetation
No information found.
Physical Properties and Guidelines
Pure ethion is a colorless to light brown or pale yellow liquid
with no odor (2, 6). Technical ethion has a very disagreeable odor.
Ethion is stable under normal temperatures and pressures if kept in a
closed container, but it may oxidize slowly if exposed to air. Ethion
will hydrolyze in the presence of bases, acids or lime (6). Thermal
decomposition of ethion may release toxic gases such as diethylsulfide,
sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and phosphorus
pentoxide (2).
Major tranquilizers (phenothiazines and thioxanthines) may enhance
the toxicity of organophosphates (Martin. Hazards of Medication. 1971).
Persons who work with organophosphate materials for long periods of
time should have frequent blood tests of their cholinesterase levels.
If the cholinesterase level falls below a critical point, no further
exposure should be allowed until it returns to normal (10).
Protective clothing must be worn when using ethion. Before
removing gloves, wash them with soap and water. Always wash hands, face
and arms with soap and water before smoking, eating or drinking. After
work, remove all work clothes and shoes. Shower with soap and water.
Wear only clean clothes when leaving the job. Wash contaminated
clothing and equipment with soap and water after each use. Keep
contaminated work clothes separate from regular laundry (8).
Exposure Guidelines:
| 0.4 mg/m3 OSHA TWA (skin) (6) |
| 0.4 mg/m3 ACGIH TWA (skin) (6) |
| 0.4 mg/m3 NIOSH Recommended TWA (skin) (6) |
Physical Properties:
| CAS #: | 563-12-2 |
| Specific gravity: | 1.215 - 1.230 at 20 degrees C (2, 15) |
| Solubility in water: | practically insoluble (2) |
| Solubility: | Soluble in ethyl alcohol, methyl alcohol and most organic solvents (1, 5). Slightly soluble in acetone, chloroform, kerosene, 1% methyl ethyl ketone, methylated napthalene, benzene and xylene (15). Miscible in aromatic solvents (16). |
| Boiling point: | 164 - 165 degrees C at 0.3 mm Hg (2); 302 degrees F (150 degrees C), decomposes (6) |
| Melting point: | 12 - 15 degrees C (2, 15); 10 degrees F (-12 degrees C) (6) |
| Flash point: | 176 degrees C (2) |
| Vapor pressure: | 1.5 x 10 to the minus 6 power mm Hg at 20 degrees C (5). |
| Koc: | 8890 g/ml (3) |
| Oil: | water partition coefficient - 5.073 (J. Environ. Sci. Health part B. B18 (6):667-83.1983). |
| pH: | 5.1 in an equal volume of water (8) |
| Chemical class/use: | organophosphate insecticide |
BASIC MANUFACTURER
FMC Corp.
Agricultural Chemicals Group
2000 Market St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Review by Basic Manufacturer:
Comments solicited: November, 1992
Comments received:
REFERENCES
Meister, R.T. (ed.) 1987. Farm Chemicals Handbook. Willoughby,
OH: Meister Publishing Co.
Meister, R.T. (ed.). 1992. Farm Chemicals Handbook '92. Meister
Publishing Company, Willoughby, OH.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. 1990
(Nov.). SCS/ARS/CES Pesticide Properties Database: Version 2.0
(Summary). USDA - Soil Conservation Service, Syracuse, NY.
Howard, P.H. (ed.). 1989. Handbook of Environmental Fate and
Exposure Data for Organic Chemicals, Vol. III: Pesticides. Lewis
Publishers, Chelsea, MI.
Worthing, C.R. (ed.). 1987. The pesticide manual: A world
compendium. 8th Ed. The British Crop Protection Council. Croydon,
England.
Occupational Health Services, Inc. 1991 (Sept. 16). MSDS for
Ethion. OHS Inc., Secaucus, NJ.
Hartley, D. and H. Kidd, (eds.) 1983. The agrochemicals handbook.
Nottingham, England: Royal Society of Chemistry.
US Environmental Protection Agency. 1989 (Sept. 30). Pesticide
Fact Sheet Number 209: Ethion. Office of Pesticides and Toxic
Substances, Office of Pesticide Programs, US EPA, Washington, DC.
_____. 1989 (Sept. 29). Registration Standards for Pesticide
Products Containing Ethion as the Active Ingredient. Pesticides and
Toxic Substances, US EPA, Washington, DC.
Cheminova Agro A/S. 1991 (June 11). Material Safety Data Sheet :
Dimethoate. Cheminova, Lemvig, Denmark.
Department of Transportation. 1984. Emergency Response
Guidebook: Guidebook for hazardous materials incidents. Washington,
DC: U.S. DOT.
Hallenbeck, W.H. & K.M. Cunningham-Burns. 1985. Pesticides and
human health. New York: Springer-Verlag.
TOXNET. 1985. National library of medicine's toxicology data
network. Hazardous Substances Databank. Public health Service.
National Institute of Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services. Bethesda, MD: NLM.
Gosselin, R.E. 1984. Clinical toxicology of commercial products.
5th Ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins.
Windholz, M. (ed.) 1976. The Merck Index: an encyclopedia of
chemicals and drugs. 9th Ed. Rahway, NJ: Merck.
Sunshine, Irving. 1969. Handbook of analytical toxicology.
Cleveland, OH: Chemical Rubber Co.
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site is not a substitute for a pesticide label. Trade names used herein
are for convenience only; no endorsement of products is intended, nor is
criticism of unnamed products implied. Most of this information is historical
in nature and may no longer be applicable.
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