TEPP

Synonyms

Tetraethylpyrophosphate; Bis-O,O-diethylphosphoric anhydride; Bladan; Bladan (VAN); Diphosphoric acid tetraethyl ester; EA 1285; Ethyl pyrophosphate; Ethyl pyrophosphate (Et4P2O7); Ethyl pyrophosphate, tetra-; Fosvex; Grisol; HEPT; Hepthexamite; Hexamite; Killax; Killex; Kilmite 40; Lethalaire G-52; Lirohex; Mortopal; Nifos; Nifos T; Nifost; O,O,O,O-Tetraaethyl-diphosphat, bis(O,O-diaethylphosphorsaeure-anhydrid) [German]; O,O,O,O-Tetraethyl-difosfaat [Dutch]; O,O,O,O-Tetraetil-pirofosfato [Italian]; Pyrophosphate de tetraethyle [French]; TEPP; Tetraaethylpyrophosphorsaeureester [German]; Tetraethyl diphosphate; Tetraethyl pyrofosfaat [Belgian]; Tetraethyl pyrofosfaat [Dutch]; Tetraethyl pyrophosphate; Tetraethyldifosfat [Czech]; Tetraethylpyrofosfat [Czech]; Tetraethylpyrophosphate; Tetraethylpyrophosphorsaeureester [German]; Tetrastigmine; Tetron; Tetron-100; Vapotone; [ChemIDplus]

Category

Organophosphate Insecticides

Description

Colorless to amber liquid with a faint, fruity odor. [insecticide] [Note: A solid below 32 degrees F.]; [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

Commercially available as dust, concentrate, or solution in methyl chloride to kill aphids, spiders, mites, mealy bugs, leafhoppers, and thrips; [ACGIH] Used on vegetable and fruit crops, it is one of the first organophosphate insecticide developed and has been largely replaced by newer products. [HSDB]

Comments

Many deaths have been reported, most after suicidal ingestion. Several cases of severe poisoning and death have been reported after spills in which workers clothing was contaminated. [ACGIH] “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]

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

0.01 mg/m3, inhalable fraction and vapor

0.05 mg/m3

0.06 mg/m3

5 mg/m3

0.00015 mm Hg

LC50 (rat) = 7 mg/m3/4H; [ACGIH]

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)