Metam-potassium

Synonyms

Potassium N-methyldithiocarbamate; Carbamic acid, N-methyldithio-, potassium salt; Carbamic acid, methyldithio-, monopotassium salt; Carbamodithioic acid, methyl-, monopotassium salt; Metam potassium; Monopotassium methylcarbamodithioate; Monopotassium methyldithiocarbamate; [ChemIDplus]

Category

Dithiocarbamates (Pesticide)

Description

Concentrated aqueous solution: Clear orange liquid with a pungent odor of rotten eggs; [CAMEO]

Sources/Uses

Has activity as fungicide, herbicide, and nematicide; [Compendium of Pesticide Common Names] 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, and drained ponds and lakes (California only); Also used as antimicrobial agent for wood poles, pulp and paper, leather processing, sugar cane and beet processing, metalworking cutting fluids, petroleum operations, coatings (protective colloids, emulsion resins, and water-thinned paints), and industrial water cooling and purification; [Reference #1]

Comments

Rapidly degraded in the environment forming methyl isothiocyanate (MITC), which is the volatile active fumigant; Metabolites include MITC and carbon disulfide; May cause skin sensitization; [Reference #1] Several of the dialkyldithiocarbamates are known skin sensitizers; See "Carba mix." See "Metam-sodium."

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

Yes

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Contact dermatitis, allergic

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Farming (Pesticides)
• Leather Tanning and Processing
• Metal Machining
• Painting (Pigments, Binders, and Biocides)
• Petroleum Production and Refining
• Pulp and Paper Processing