Fenthion

Agent Name
Fenthion
CAS Number
55-38-9
Formula
C10-H15-O3-P-S2
Major Category
Pesticides
Fenthion formula graphical representation
Synonyms
4-Methylmercapto-3-methylphenyl dimethyl thiophosphate; B 29493; BAY 29493; Bay-Bassa; Baycid; Bayer 29493; Bayer 9007; Bayer S-1752; Baytex; Entex; Fenthion 4E; Fenthion-methyl; Fenthione; Figuron; Lebaycid; MPP; MPP (pesticide); Mercaptophos; O,O-Dimethyl O-(3-methyl-4-(methylthio)phenyl)phosphorothioate; O,O-Dimethyl O-(3-methyl-4-methylmercaptophenyl)phosphorothioate; O,O-Dimethyl O-(3-methyl-4-methylthio-fenyl)-monothiofosfaat [Dutch]; O,O-Dimethyl O-(4-(methylthio)-m-tolyl) phosphorothioate; O,O-Dimethyl O-(4-methylmercapto-3-methylphenyl) thionophosphate; O,O-Dimethyl O-(4-methylthio-3-methylphenyl) phosphorothioate; O,O-Dimethyl O-(4-methylthio-3-methylphenyl) thiophosphate; O,O-Dimethyl O-3-methyl-4-methylthiophenyl phosphorothioate; O,O-Dimethyl O-4-(methylmercapto)-3-methylphenyl phosphorothioate; O,O-Dimethyl-O-(3-methyl-4-methylmercaptophenyl)phosphorothioate; O,O-Dimethyl-O-(3-methyl-4-methylthio-fenyl)-monothiofosfaat [Dutch]; O,O-Dimethyl-O-(3-methyl-4-methylthio-phenyl)-thionophosphat [German]; O,O-Dimethyl-O-(3-methyl-4-methylthiophenyl)-monothiophosphat [German]; O,O-Dimethyl-O-4-(methylmercapto)-3-methylphenyl phosphorothioate; O,O-Dimethyl-O-4-(methylmercapto)-3-methylphenyl thiophosphate; O,O-Dimetil-O-(3-metil-4-metiltio-fenil)-monotiofosfato [Italian]; OMS 2; Phenthion; Pro-Spot; Queletox; S 1752; Spotton; Sulfidophos; Talodex; Thiophosphate de O,O-dimethyle et de O-(3-methyl-4-methylthiophenyle) [French]; Tiguvon; m-Cresol, 4-(methylthio)-, O-ester with O,O-dimethyl phosphorothioate; [ChemIDplus]
Category
Organophosphate Insecticides
Description
Colorless to brown liquid with a slight, garlic-like odor. [insecticide]; [NIOSH]
Sources/Uses
Used to kill fruit flies, stem borers, mosquitoes, and Eurygaster cereal bugs; it is also applied as paste to bird roosting areas to kill pigeons and other bird pests; [EXTOXNET]
Comments
Classified as "moderately toxic"; All bird control products and nondomestic, nongranular formulations of greater than 70% fenthion may be used only by certified applicators; it is not licensed for use on food crops; [EXTOXNET] “The average of two baseline respective cholinesterase activity determinations three days apart, with no exposures to enzyme inhibiting pesticides for at least 30 days, is recommended for each worker prior to exposure to cholinesterase inhibitors because of large inter-individual differences in published baseline values. To be established at least once a year. Removal from workplace exposures is recommended until the cholinesterase activity returns to within 20% of baseline.” [TLVs and BEIs]
Reference Link #1
Biomedical References

Exposure Assessment

BEI
Acetylcholinesterase activity in red blood cells = 70% of individual's baseline; Butylcholinesterase activity in serum or plasma = 60% of individual's baseline; Sample at end of shift; [TLVs and BEIs]
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Yes
TLV (ACGIH)
0.05 mg/m3, inhalable fraction and vapor
MAK
0.2 mg/m3, inhalable fraction
Vapor Pressure
3E-05 mm Hg
Reference Link #2

Adverse Effects

ACGIH Carcinogen
Not Classifiable
Other Poison
Organophosphate

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: