Metam-sodium

Synonyms

A7 Vapam; BAY 5590; Basamid-fluid; Carbam; Carbamic acid, N-methyldithio-, sodium salt; Carbamic acid, methyldithio-, monosodium salt; Carbamodithioic acid, methyl-, monosodium salt; Carbathion; Carbathione; Carbation; Carbothion; Diethylamino-2,6-acetoxylidide; Geort; Karbation; Mapasol; Masposol; Metam sodium; Metam-Sodium [ISO]; Metam-fluid BASF; Metamsodium; Metham [German]; Metham sodium; Metham sodium (VAN); Methan-sodium; Methylcarbamodithioic acid sodium salt; Methyldithiocarbamic acid, sodium salt; Methyldithiokarbaman sodny [Czech]; Monam; Monosodium methylcarbamodithioate; N-869; N-Methylaminodithioformic acid sodium salt; N-Methylaminomethanethionothiolic acid sodium salt; N-Methyldithiocarbamate de sodium [French]; N-Metil-ditiocarbammato di sodio [Italian]; Natrium-N-methyl-dithiocarbamaat [Dutch]; Natrium-N-methyl-dithiocarbamat [German]; Nematin; SMDC; Sectagon II; Sepivam; Sistan; Sodium N-methylaminodithioformate; Sodium N-methylaminomethanethionothiolate; Sodium N-methyldithiocarbamate; Sodium metam; Sodium metham; Sodium methylcarbamodithioate; Sodium methyldithiocarbamate; Sodium monomethyldithiocarbamate; Soil-Prep; Solasan 500; Solesan 500; Sometam; Trapex; Trimaton; VDM; VPM; VPM (fungicide); Vapam; Metam sodium solution; Sodium N-methyldithiocarbamate solution; [ChemIDplus]

Category

Dithiocarbamates (Pesticide)

Description

White crystals; [HSDB] Aqueous solution: Yellow to light yellow-green liquid with an odor of amine and sulfur; [CAMEO] White solid with an odor of sweet onions; [EFSA] White crystals; [Aldrich MSDS]

Sources/Uses

Used as a fungicide and nematicide; [Kanerva, p. 1834] Used as a soil fumigant for control of weeds, weed seeds, nematodes, fungi, and soil insects; [Merck Index] Used as non-selective soil fumigant that possesses fungicidal, herbicidal, insecticidal, and nematicidal properties; Approved for use on food, feed, and fiber crops, turf grass, sewers, and drained ponds and lakes (California only); Also used as antimicrobial agent for wood poles, leather processing, sugar cane and beet processing, sewage sludge, and animal waste; [Reference #2] Approved for use in the EU as a pre-plant soil disinfectant for vegetables, fruit trees, grape vines, nurseries, ornamentals, and other crops; [EFSA]

Comments

Allergic contact dermatitis reported in farmworkers; [Kanerva, p. 1834] Slowly reacts with water forming flammable and toxic decomposition products (carbon disulfide, monomethylamine, methylisothiocyanate, and hydrogen sulfide); A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; [CAMEO] A skin, eye, and mucous membrane irritant; May cause skin sensitization; Formation of methylisothiocyanate in water or from skin moisture may also illicit an allergic response; May be fatal by skin absorption; Emergency treatment: "Carbamate herbicides and fungicides"; [HSDB] Rapidly degraded in the environment forming methyl isothiocyanate (MITC), which is the primary volatile active fumigant; Metabolites include MITC and carbon disulfide; [Reference #2] Causes zonal hepatitis in oral studies of rats and mice; [RTECS] Causes burns; Inhalation may cause corrosive injuries to upper respiratory tract and lungs; May cause skin sensitization; Toxic by ingestion and skin absorption; [Aldrich MSDS] See "Methyl isothiocyanate."

Restricted use pesticide for application on golf courses, small areas of turf and soil, and in sewers and drains; [Reference #2]

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

4.53E-09 mm Hg

LC50 (rat) = 2,270 mg/m3

Explanatory Notes

Non-volatile; [HSDB]

Reference Link #2

Yes

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Contact dermatitis, allergic

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Applying Wood Preservatives
• Farming (Pesticides)
• Leather Tanning and Processing
• Sewer and Wastewater Treatment