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
by the USDA/Extension Service/National Agricultural Pesticide Impact
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Pesticide
Information
Profile
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Formothion
Publication Date: 9/95
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TRADE OR OTHER NAMES
Trade names for products containing formothion include Aflix, Anthio,
Sandoz S-6900, SAN 2441 and SAN 69131 (1, 2, 3).
REGULATORY STATUS
Formothion is a restricted use pesticide (RUP).
INTRODUCTION
Formothion is an organophosphate product. It is a systemic and contact
insecticide used to control spider mites, aphids, psyllids, mealy bugs,
whiteflies, jassids, leaf miners, ermine moths, and fruit flies (1). It is
used on tree fruits, vines, olives, hops, cereals, sugar cane, rice (3). The
U.S. EPA classifies formothion as toxicity class II - moderately toxic.
Products containing formothion bear the Signal Word "Warning." Formothion is
available as an emulsifiable concentrate and an ultra-low volume spray (4).
TOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS
ACUTE TOXICITY
Formothion is a cholinesterase inhibitor which means it affects normal
nervous system function. Early symptoms of formothion poisoning include nausea
or vomiting, dizziness, and weakness. Tightness in the chest and difficulty
breathing are common in inhalation exposure. As in other organophosphate
poisonings, exposure may cause blurred vision, muscle spasms, or loss of
coordination (6).
The LD50, the dose of formothion which kills half of the test animals, is
365-500 mg/kg for rats; 410 - 420 mg/kg for rabbits; 102 mg/kg for mice; and
210 mg/kg for cats (5, 6). The LD50 is greater than 1,000 mg/kg for rats whose
skin is exposed to formothion (1). The LC50 (4 hours), the concentration in
air which kills half of the test animals, is 4.5 mg/l air for rats. Formothion
is non-irritating to skin.
CHRONIC TOXICITY
Teratogenic Effects
No evidence of teratogenic or embryotoxic effects was seen in rabbits
given formothion from days 6 to 18 of pregnancy at rates of 6 and 30
mg/kg/day.(6)
Reproductive Effects
No information is currently available.
Mutagenic Effects
A number of studies on salmonella bacteria indicate that formothion is
not mutagenic (7).
Carcinogenic Effects
Formothion is an organophosphate pesticide. Studies indicate that
organophosphate compounds do not have structures resembling known carcinogens.
Though no data is currently available on formothion, it is unlikely that it
causes cancer.
Organ Toxicity
Cholinesterase is an enzyme critical to proper function of the nervous
system. Formothion has been found to inhibit the activity of cholinesterase,
impairing normal nervous system functions (3, 6). Also, in rat feeding
studies, 16 mg/kg/day of formothion caused growth impairment in males during
the first year of a two year study. It also caused slight tremors and muscle
spasms in individual rats during the same time period. Rats tended to recover
during the second year (6).
Fate in Humans and Animals
Formothion is rapidly absorbed by the stomach of rats. It passes through
the liver, kidney, pancreas and thymus. Most (96%) of a dose of formothion is
excreted within 24 hours. The majority of a dose (98-99%) is excreted in urine
and 2% in feces (6).
ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Effects on Birds
Formothion is slightly toxic to birds. The oral LD50 for pigeons was 630
mg/kg (3).
Effects on Aquatic Organisms
Formothion is slightly toxic to fish. The LC50 (96 hours) for carp is
greater than 50 mg/l (3).
Effects on Other Animals (Nontarget species)
Formothion is toxic to bees (2).
ENVIRONMENTAL FATE
Breakdown of Chemical in Soil and Groundwater
Formothion is relatively non-persistent. The half-life of formothion in
loamy soils is one to 14 days (3, 6). There is no danger of formothion
residues accumulating in soil, even if plants are subject to repeated
treatment (6).
Breakdown of Chemical in Surface Water
No information is currently available.
Breakdown of Chemical in Vegetation
In plants, formothion is metabolized rapidly and dissipates (3).
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND GUIDELINES
Formothion is a yellowish liquid or crystalline mass which is non-corrosive.
It is extremely stable to acids but decomposes on distillation. It
is incompatible with alkaline pesticides (6).
Physical Properties:
| Chemical Name: | O,O-dimethyl dithiophos- phorylacetic acid N-methyl-N-formylamide |
| CAS#: | 2540-82-1 |
| Melting point: | 25-26 degrees C (3). |
| Solubility: | Soluble in alcohols, ether, chloroform, ketones, and xylene (6) |
| Partition Coefficient: | (octanol/water) ca. 30 (3) |
Exposure Guidelines:
| NOAEL: | 4 mg/kg/day (rat) (1) |
| ADI: | 0.2 mg/kg (6) |
BASIC MANUFACTURER
Sandoz Ltd.
1300 E. Touhy Avenue
Des Plaines, IL 60018
Fax:708-390-3940
Telephone: 708-699-1616
Review by Basic Manufacturer:
Comments solicited: October, 1994
Comments received:
REFERENCES
Meister, R.T. 1992. Farm Chemicals Handbook '92. Meister Publishing
Company. Willoughby, OH.
Thomson, W. T. 1983. Agricultural Chemicals, Book I Insecticides.
Thomson Publications. Fresno, CA.
The Agrochemicals Handbook, Third Edition. 1994. Royal Society of
Chemistry Information Systems, Unwin Brothers Ltd., Surrey, England.
Meister, R.T. 1994. Farm Chemicals Handbook '94. Meister Publishing
Company. Willoughby, OH.
Budavari, Susan, (ed.). 1989. The Merck Index, Eleventh Edition. Merck
and Company Inc. Rahway, NJ.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 1993. Hazardous
Substance Data Base. HHS. Washington, DC.
National Cancer Institute. 1990. Chemical Carcinogenesis Research
Information System. U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services TOXNET.
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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