Phorate

Synonyms

Thimet; AC 3911; Agrimet; American cyanamid 3,911; Dithiophosphate de O,O-diethyle et d'ethylthiomethyle [French]; EI3911; Experimental insecticide 3911; Foraat [Dutch]; Geomet; Granutox; L 11/6; Methanethiol, (ethylthio)-, S-ester with O,O-diethyl phosphorodithioate; Methanethiol, (ethylthio)-, S-ester with O,O-diethylphosphorodithioate; O,O-Diaethyl-S-(aethylthio-methyl)-dithiophosphat [German]; O,O-Diethyl S-(ethylthio)methyl phosphorodithioate; O,O-Diethyl S-ethylmercaptomethyl dithiophosphate; O,O-Diethyl S-ethylmercaptomethyl dithiophosphonate; O,O-Diethyl S-ethylthiomethyl dithiophosphonate; O,O-Diethyl S-ethylthiomethyl thiothionophosphate; O,O-Diethyl ethylthiomethyl phosphorodithioate; O,O-Diethyl-S-((ethylthio)methyl)phosphorodithioate; O,O-Diethyl-S-(ethylthio-methyl)-dithiofosfaat [Dutch]; O,O-Dietil-S-(etiltio-metil)-ditiofosfato [Italian]; Phorat [German]; Phorate-10G; Rampart; Thimenox; Thimet; Timet; VUAgT 182; Vegfru; Vegfru Foratox; [ChemIDplus]

Category

Organophosphate Insecticides

Description

Clear liquid with a skunk-like odor. [insecticide]; [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

Used to kill insects in pine forests, ornamentals, root crops, and field crops (corn, cotton and coffee); [EXTOXNET]

Comments

Classified as "highly toxic" with an LD50 of 1.1 to 3.7 mg/kg in rats, phorate may be used only by certified applicators. [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

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]

Yes

0.05 mg/m3, inhalable fraction and vapor

0.0008 mm Hg

LC50 (rat) = 11 mg/m3/1h

Reference Link #2

Not Classifiable

Other Poison

Organophosphate

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Organophosphates & carbamates, acute poisoning

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Farming (Pesticides)