E X T O X N E T
Extension Toxicology Network
A Pesticide Information Project of Cooperative Extension Offices of
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University of California at Davis. Major support and funding was provided
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Pesticide
Information
Profile
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Folpet
Publication Date: 9/95
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TRADE OR OTHER NAMES
Some trade names for products containing folpet include Cosan T, Faltan,
Folnit, Folpel, Ftalan, Fungitrol 11, Intercide TMP, Orthoraltan 50,
Orthophaltan, Phthaltan, Sanfol, Spolacid, Trifol, Folpet, Folpan, Folpex,
Phaltan, Vinicoil, and Thiophal (1, 3, 10). Mixed formulations include (folpet
+) aluminum phosethyl, captafol, cymoxanil, dinocap, mancozeb, and metalaxyl
(1). Formulation types include wettable powders and dusts.
REGULATORY STATUS
Folpet is no longer sold in the United States (3).
INTRODUCTION
Folpet is a protective leaf-fungicide. Its mode of action inhibits normal
cell division of a broad spectrum of microorganisms. It is used to control
cherry leaf spot, rose mildew, rose black spot, and apple scab. Used on
berries, flowers, ornamentals, fruits and vegetables, and for seed- and plant-
bed treatment. Also used as a fungicide in paints and plastics, and for
treatment of internal and external structural surfaces of buildings (1).
Incompatible with strongly alkaline preparations, such as lime sulfur (1). The
Signal Word for products containing folpet is "Warning" (2).
TOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS
ACUTE TOXICITY
The acute oral toxicity for male and female rats is >10 g/kg. The acute
oral toxicity for mice is 2,440 mg/kg. The acute dermal toxicity for rabbits
is > 5.0 g/kg. Primary eye irritation in rabbits causes reversible corneal
opacity, which is prevented by immediately washing the exposed eye. It is not
considered an eye irritant to rabbits and is a dermal sensitizer in the guinea
pig (10). Folpet does cause irritation of the skin and mucous membranes in
rabbits (1).
Acute inhalation exposure to folpet may cause irritation of the mucous
membranes. Acute inhalation data for rats reported an LC50 >5 mg/l/2 hr. The
LC50 for the mouse was >6 mg/l/2 hr. Folpet is considered slightly toxic by
ingestion (4).
A dermal LD50 of 22,600 mg/kg was reported for rabbits. Inhalation of
dust or spray mists and contact with the eyes can also result in local
irritation (7).
CHRONIC TOXICITY
A one-year chronic oral toxicity study in dogs at doses of 10, 60 or 120
mg/kg/day administered in gelatin capsules caused non-significantly reduced
mean body weight gains in both males and females at 60 and 120 mg/kg/day. Mean
food consumption was also reduced in these animals. Cholesterol, total
protein, albumin, and globulin values were decreased in mid- and high-dose
males and high-dose females. There were no organ weight changes or histologic
findings that were considered to be associated with administration of folpet.
Based on changes in body weight and clinical biochemistry, the Lowest Observed
Effects Level (LOEL) was 60 mg/kg/day, and the No Observable Effect Level
(NOEL) was 10 mg/kg/day (9).
In another study, a cumulative dose of 10,000 ppm fed to dogs and rats
for 17 months produced no adverse effects on the major organs. Carcinogenic
tumors of the gastrointestinal tract were produced in mice from continuous
administration of 437 mg/kg for 2 years (4). Another study found that feeding
folpet to rats at 3,200 mg/kg or to dogs at 1,500 mg/kg for 17 months produced
no adverse effects (1).
In 17-month feeding trials, no adverse effects, histopathological changes
or significant differences in tumor incidence were noted in albino rats
receiving 10,000 mg/kg folpet via the diet. Prolonged or repeated exposure to
the skin may cause dermatitis, while prolonged exposure to the eyes may cause
conjunctivitis (4).
Reproductive Effects
A 2-generation reproductive study in rats produced a parental NOEL of
34.5 mg/kg/day (10). The same study showed decreased weight gain in F1
offspring. The NOEL in F2 matings was 40 mg/kg/day based on decreased body
weight gain, decreased fertility of males and a Lowest Effect Level (LEL) of
180 mg/kg/day (10). Another study reported no significant effect on
reproductive performance over three generations in rats at 1,000 mg/kg diet.
The result from one study of pregnant hamsters given a single dose of
between 500 and 900 mg/kg on days seven or eight of gestation, was an increase
in fetal mortality and the production of some abnormal fetuses (4).
Chronic administrations to pregnant rabbits of a cumulative dose of 488
mg/kg for 13 days produced adverse effects on fertility.
Treatment of male mice by Bateman's dominant lethal procedure did not
induce dominant lethal mutations as measured by increase in early post-
implantation deaths (7). Chronic inhalation exposure to folpet showed an
increase of fetal mortality in an inhaltion study of pregnant mice exposed to
491 mg/m3/4 hours/day for 8 days (4)
Teratogenic Effects
Folpet was found to be positive in producing developmental effects in
both rabbits and rats.
In rabbits, the developmental NOEL was 10 mg/kg and the LEL was 20 mg/kg
(hydrocephalus, domed skull, and irregularly shaped fontanelles). In rats, the
NOEL was 60 mg/kg and the developmental LEL was 360 mg/kg (5, 10).
Mutagenic Effects
In both E. coli and S. typhimurium, reverse mutations occurred, with a
positive direct acting mutagen. In vivo, the Drosophila sex-linked recessive
assay was positive using folpet.
In a mouse somatic cell mutation assay, the results were negative,
although a significant pup mortality occurred at all dose levels (9, 10).
Carcinogenic Effects
In a carcinogenicity study in mice, folpet was found to be a carcinogen
with a dose-related increased incidence of adenocarcinomas in the duodenum (a
rare neoplasma in CD-1 mice) in all dose groups (142.9, 714.3 and 1714.2
mg/kg/day respectively) (9, 10).
Another carcinogenicity study in mice also found folpet to be a positive
carcinogen with a dose-related increased incidence of adenocarcinomas in the
duodenum (a rare neoplasma in B6C3F1 mice) in all dose groups (142.9, 714.3
and 1428.6 mg/kg/day respectively) (9, 10).
In another study, Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a diet of 200, 800, or
3,200 ppm of folpet. No carcinogenic effects were reported (10).
Organ Toxicity
In a 90-day feeding study in rats, the NOEL was established at 3,000 ppm
and the LEL was 10,000 ppm. Noted effects were decreased brain weight and
decreased total blood protein including albumin (9, 10).
Fate in Humans and Animals
An in vitro study of folpet stability in human blood showed that the
half-life of folpet in human blood is about one minute, degrading rapidly to
phthalimide and ultimately to phthalic acid and ammonia (10).
ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Effects on Birds
Acute oral studies indicated that folpet is slightly toxic to upland game
bird species. Subacute dietary toxicity studies with bobwhite quail and
mallard ducks also indicate that folpet is slightly toxic to birds when it is
ingested in the diet of these birds. The avian reproductive studies indicate
that technical folpet is not expected to cause reproductive impairment (9).
Folpet is considered slightly toxic to avian species. The LC50 for
bobwhite quail is >2,510 mg/kg and the LC50 for the mallard duck is >5,000 ppm
(10).
Effects on Aquatic Organisms
Studies with typical end-use products indicate that folpet is highly
toxic to both rainbow trout and bluegill sunfish. Rainbow trout were the most
sensitive species and the folpet product tested was classified in the very
highly toxic range of toxicity for this species (9).
The 96-hr LC50 for bluegill sunfish is 675 ppb and the 96-hr LC50 for
rainbow trout is 185 ppb (10). Folpet is characterized as being "highly toxic"
to both coldwater and warmwater fish (1, 10).
Data from a study with a typical end-use product of folpet indicate that
folpet is toxic to aquatic invertebrtates (9).
The 48-hr LC50 for Daphnia magna is 0.60 ppm, which is considered very
highly toxic to aquatic invertebrates (10).
Effects on Other Animals (Nontarget species)
Folpet is considered relatively non-toxic to honeybees (1, 9).
ENVIRONMENTAL FATE
Breakdown of Chemical in Soil and Groundwater
Degradation is probably the same as that of captan, in which three
chlorine atoms are removed under the influence of endogenous thiol compounds,
with the formation of the trithiocarbonate, thiophosgene, and phthalimide (1).
Breakdown of Chemical in Surface Water
No information currently available.
Breakdown of Chemical in Vegetation
Some injury to crops due to phytotoxicity has been noted, especially
during extended dry periods (3).
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES and GUIDELINES
Exposure Guidelines:
| TLV-TWA: | None (8) |
| WHO-ADI: | 0.01 mg/kg |
Physical Properties:
| CAS No.: | 133-07-3 (1) |
| Chemical name: | N-[(Trichloromethyl)thio]phthalimide (2, 10) |
| Chemical Class/Use: | carboximide compound/protective foliage fungicide (3) |
| Solubility in water: | practically insoluble in water (1); 1 mg/l water (6) |
| Solubility in other solvents: | slightly soluble in organic solvents, e.g. 3-4% in alphatic ketones and 0.1-1 % in hydrocarbons. In chloroform 8.7, benzene 2.2, isopropanol 1.25 (all in g/100 ml at 20 degrees C) (1) |
| Melting point: | 177-180 degrees C (1, 2); 351 degrees F (4) |
| Vapor pressure: | <1.3 x 10 to the minus 9 mbar at 20 degrees C |
BASIC MANUFACTURER
Zeneca Ag Products
1800 Concord Pike
Wilmington, DE 19897
Fax: 302-886-1552
Telephone: 800-759-4500
Emergency: 800-759-2500
Review by Basic Manufacturer:
Comments solicited: October, 1994
Comments received:
REFERENCES
The Agrochemicals Handbook. 1983. The Royal Society of Chemistry, The
University, Nottingham, England.
Farm Chemicals Handbook. 1994. Meister Publishing Co. Willoughby, OH.
Thomson, W. T. 1990. Agricultural Chemicals. Book IV: Fungicides.
Thomson Publications, Fresno, CA.
OHS Database. March, 1993. MSDS for Folpet. MDL Information Systems
Inc., San Leandro, CA.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1986. Office of Pesticides. TOX
Oneliners -- Folpet. February, 1986.
CENET. 1994. Pesticide Management and Education. Chemical Profiles
Library.
Worthing, C. R. (ed.) 1979. The Pesticide Manual: A World Compendium,
6th ed. The British Crop Protection Council, Croydon, England. 655 pp.
Clayton, G. D. and F. E. Clayton (eds.) 1981. Patty's Industrial
Hygiene and Toxicology, Volume 2A: Toxicology, 3rd ed. John Wiley and Sons,
Inc. NY. 2878 pp.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. June, 1987. Guidance for the
Reregistration of Pesticide Products Containing Folpet as the Active
Ingredient. US EPA, Office of Pesticide Programs, Washington, DC.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. June, 1987. Pesticide Fact Sheet
Number 215: Folpet. US EPA, Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, Office
of Pesticide Programs, Washington, DC.
Disclaimer: Please read
the pesticide label prior to use. The information contained at this web
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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