Agent Name | Parathion |
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CAS Number | 56-38-2 |
Formula | C10-H14-N-O5-P-S |
Major Category | Pesticides |
Synonyms | O,O-Diethyl-O-(p-nitrophenyl) phosphorothioate; Diethyl parathion; Ethylparathion; Parathion-ethyl; AC 3422; Alkron; Alleron; Aphamite; Corothion; E-605; Etilon; Fosferno 50; Niran;Orthophos; Panthion; Paramar; Paraphos; Parathene; Parawet; Phoskil; Rhodiatox; Soprathion; Stathion; Thiophos; |
Category | Organophosphate Insecticides |
Description | Pale-yellow to dark-brown liquid with a garlic-like odor. [Note: A solid below 43 degrees F.] [NIOSH] |
Sources/Uses | In the U.S. parathion may be used only by licensed applicators on alfalfa, barley, corn, cotton, sorghum, soybeans, sunflowers, and wheat. [EXTOXNET] |
Comments | Classified as "highly toxic," parathion has an LD50 in rats of 2 to 30 mg/kg; [EXTOXNET] A small number of the organophosphates (OPs) can Induce Delayed Neuropathy (OPIDN). OPIDN usually occurs after ingestion and is usually nonoccupational. [Levy, p. 431] "Toxic inhalation of parathion vapor is unlikely at ordinary temperatures because of its low volatility, but toxic effects can occur after inhalation of parathion sprays or dusts." [ATSDR Medical Management] |
Restricted | Use on fruit, nut and vegetable crops cancelled by EPA in 1992; [EXTOXNET] |
Reference Link | |
Exposure Assessment | |
BEI | Total p-nitrophenol in urine = 0.5 mg/g creatinine; sample at end of shift; Cholinesterase activity in red cells = 70% of individual's baseline, sample time discretionary; [ACGIH] |
Skin Designation (ACGIH) | Yes |
TLV (ACGIH) | 0.05 mg/m3, inhalable fraction and vapor |
PEL (OSHA) | 0.1 mg/m3 |
MAK | 0.1 mg/m3, inhalable fraction |
IDLH (NIOSH) | 10 mg/m3 |
Vapor Pressure | 4.0E-5 mm Hg |
Reference Link | |
Adverse Effects | |
Neurotoxin | Motor Neuropathy |
Other Poison | Organophosphate |
IARC Carcinogen | Not Classifiable |
ACGIH Carcinogen | Not Classifiable |
Links to Other NLM Databases | |
Health Studies | Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: |
Toxicity Information | |
Chemical Information | |
Biomedical References | |
Related Information in HazMap | |
Diseases | Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent: |
Processes | Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: |