Phorate

Agent Name
Phorate
Alternative Name
Thimet
CAS Number
298-02-2
Formula
C7-H17-O2-P-S3
Major Category
Pesticides
Phorate formula graphical representation
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

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
Vapor Pressure
0.0008 mm Hg
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (rat) = 11 mg/m3/1h
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: