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Ethion (Ref: ENT 24105)
Last updated: 19/01/2021
(Also known as: diethion; diéthion; dietion; FMC 1240; NIA 1240 )
GENERAL INFORMATION
Description
An insecticide and acaricide used to control a range of pests. Can also be a pesticide transformation product
Example pests controlled
Red spidermite (Tetranychus urticae); Planthoppers; Aphids; Scale insects; Codling moth
Example applications
Fruit including apples, pears, citrus; Onions; Cotton; Cereals
Efficacy & activity
-
Availability status
Current
Introduction & key dates
1957, first reported
UK regulatory status
UK COPR regulatory status
Not approved
Date COPR inclusion expires
Expired
UK LERAP status
No UK approval for use
EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)
EC Regulation 1107/2009 status
Not approved
Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur
France
Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires
Expired
EU Candidate for substitution (CfS)
Not applicable
Listed in EU database
Yes
Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 in the following EU Member States
ATAustria
BEBelgium
BGBulgaria
CYCyprus
CZCzech Republic
DEGermany
DKDenmark
EEEstonia
ELGreece
                 
ESSpain
FIFinland
FRFrance
HRCroatia
HUHungary
IEIreland
ITItaly
LTLithuania
LULuxembourg
                 
LVLatvia
MTMalta
NLNetherlands
PLPoland
PTPortugal
RORomania
SESweden
SISlovenia
SKSlovakia
                 
Also used in
Also used in
Australia
Chemical structure
Isomerism
None
Chemical formula
C₉H₂₂O₄P₂S₄
Canonical SMILES
CCOP(=S)(OCC)SCSP(=S)(OCC)OCC
Isomeric SMILES
No data
International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)
RIZMRRKBZQXFOY-UHFFFAOYSA-N
International Chemical Identifier (InChI)
InChI=1S/C9H22O4P2S4/c1-5-10-14(16,11-6-2)18-9-19-15(17,12-7-3)13-8-4/h5-9H2,1-4H3
2D structure diagram/image available?
Yes
General status
Pesticide type
Insecticide, Acaricide, Metabolite
Metabolite Type
Soil
Substance group
Organophosphate
Minimum active substance purity
-
Known relevant impurities
-
Substance origin
Synthetic
Mode of action
Non-systemic with a predominate contact action. Acetylcholine esterase inhibitor.
CAS RN
563-12-2
EC number
209-242-3
CIPAC number
102
US EPA chemical code
058401
PubChem CID
3286
Molecular mass
384.48
PIN (Preferred Identification Name)
O,O,O',O'-tetraethyl S,S'-methylene bis(phosphorodithioate)
IUPAC name
O,O,O',O'-tetraethyl S,S'-methylene bis(phosphorodithioate)
CAS name
S,S'-methylene bis(O,O-diethyl phosphorodithioate)
Other status information
Severe Marine Pollutant; Chemical subject to PIC regulations
Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards
-
Herbicide Resistance Classification (HRAC)
Not applicable
Herbicide Resistance Classification (WSSA)
Not applicable
Insecticide Resistance Classification (IRAC)
1B
Fungicide Resistance Classification (FRAC)
Not applicable
Examples of recorded resistance
Amblyseius fallacis, Delia antiqua, Musca domestica, Phytoseiulus persimilis, Boophilus microplus, many others
Physical state
Amber liquid
Can be a metabolite of:
Parent
Formation medium
Estimated maximum occurrence fraction
1107/2009 relevancy
chlormephos Soil - -
Formulations
Property
Value
Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically
  • Rhodocide
  • Ethio
  • Tefethion
  • Ethiomobeed
  • Nialate
  • Hylemox
Example products using this active
  • Bayer CropScience
  • Cheminova
  • King Tech Corp
  • Hikal Ltd.
Formulation and application details
Available in a variety of formulations including dusts, emulsifiable concentrates and solutions, granules and wettable powders.
ENVIRONMENTAL FATE
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)
2
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Low
Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)
Miscible
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Acetone		 -
Miscible
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Ethanol		 -
Miscible
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Xylene		 -
Miscible
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Methanol		 -
Melting point (°C)
-12
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous internet resources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Boiling point (°C)
165
F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Degradation point (°C)
- - -
Flashpoint (°C)
176
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
(closed cup)		 -
Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C
P
1.17 X 1005 Calculated -
Log P
5.07
G4 G = Extension Toxicology network database EXTOXNET (click here )
4 = Verified data
 High
Bulk density (g ml⁻¹)
1.22
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C
- - -
-
Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)
0.2
G4 G = Extension Toxicology network database EXTOXNET (click here )
4 = Verified data
 Low volatility
Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)
3.85 X 10-02
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Non-volatile
Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹
- - -
Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)
- - -
Degradation
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
General biodegradability
-
Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)
DT₅₀ (typical)
90
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Moderately persistent
DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)
150
Q2 Q = Miscellaneous internet resources
2 = Unverified data of unknown source
 Persistent
DT₅₀ (field)
- - -
DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)
- - -
DT₉₀ (field)
- - -
DT₅₀ modelling endpoint
- - -
Note
Tropical soils DT₅₀ range 9-16 days, temperate sandy soils DT₅₀ 49-56 day, 168 days organic soils
Dissipation rate RL₅₀ on plant matrix
Value
5.5
R4 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications
4 = Verified data
 -
Note
Published literature RL₅₀ range 3.0-10.5 days, 5 field crops, various matrices, n=6
Dissipation rate RL₅₀ on and in plant matrix
Value
4.3
R4 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications
4 = Verified data
 -
Note
Published literature RL₅₀ range 2.0-9.4 days, 7 field &crops, various matrices, n=8
Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7
Value
- - -
Note
-
Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7
Value
146
F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data
 Persistent
Note
-
Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)
- - -
Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)
- - -
Soil adsorption and mobility
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Linear
Kd
-
G3 G = Extension Toxicology network database EXTOXNET (click here )
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Non-mobile
Koc
10000
Notes and range
-
Freundlich
Kf
- - -
Kfoc
-
1/n
-
Notes and range
-
pH sensitivity
-
Fate indices
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
GUS leaching potential index
0.00 Calculated Low leachability
SCI-GROW groundwater index (μg l⁻¹) for a 1 kg ha⁻¹ or 1 l ha⁻¹ application rate
Value
5.35 X 10-03 Calculated -
Note
Estimated concentrations of chemicals with Koc values greater than 9995 ml g⁻¹ are beyond the scope of the regression data used in SCI-GROW development. If there are concerns for such chemicals, a higher tier groundwater exposure assessment should be considered, regardless of the concentration returned by SCI-GROW
Potential for particle bound transport index
High Calculated -
Potential for loss via drain flow
Non-mobile Calculated -
ECOTOXICOLOGY
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Bio-concentration factor
BCF (l kg⁻¹)
586
F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Threshold for concern
CT₅₀ (days)
Not available -
Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
208
F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data
Rat		 Moderate
Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL
(mg kg⁻¹)
0.3
L2 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
2 = Unverified data of unknown source
Rat 2 year		 High
(ppm diet)
6 -
Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
- - -
Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
128
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Phasianidae		 Moderate
Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)
- - -
Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
- - -
Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
0.5
G4 G = Extension Toxicology network database EXTOXNET (click here )
4 = Verified data
Salmonidae		 Moderate
Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)
0.013
P3 P = Other governments and regulators
3 = Unverified data of known source
Pimephales promelas 33 day		 Moderate
Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
0.000056
G3 G = Extension Toxicology network database EXTOXNET (click here )
3 = Unverified data of known source
Unknown species		 High
Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)
0.000025
P3 P = Other governments and regulators
3 = Unverified data of known source
Daphnia magna		 High
Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)
- - -
Aquatic plants - Acute 7 day EC₅₀, biomass (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Non-target plants
- - -
- - -
Algae - Acute 72 hour EC₅₀, growth (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Algae - Chronic 96 hour NOEC, growth (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Honeybees (Apis spp.)
Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
- - -
Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
- - -
Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
20.6
G3 G = Extension Toxicology network database EXTOXNET (click here )
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Moderate
Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)
Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
- - -
-
Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
- - -
-
Mason bees (Osmia spp.)
Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
- - -
Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
- - -
Other pollinators (1)
Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)
- - -
Mode of exposure
-
Other pollinators (2)
Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)
- - -
Mode of exposure
-
Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
- - -
Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)
- - -
Other soil macro-organisms
Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
- - -
Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)
- - -
Other arthropod (1)
LR₅₀ g ha⁻¹
- - -
% Effect
Harmful
AB1 AB = SELECTV Database
1 = Estimated data with little or no verification
Typhlodromus pyri		 -
Other arthropod (2)
LR₅₀ g ha⁻¹
- - -
% Effect
- - -
Soil micro-organisms
- - -
Mesocosm study data
NOEAEC mg l⁻¹
- - -
NOEAEC mg l⁻¹
- - -
HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION
General
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)
High (class III) - -
Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
208
F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data
Rat		 Moderate
Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)
838
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Rabbit		 -
Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
0.45
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Rat		 -
Other Mammal toxicity endpoints
- - -
ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)
0.002
F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data
JMPR 1990		 -
ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)
0.015
B4 B = UK CRD and ACP evaluation documents / and other Defra (UK) documents (click here )
4 = Verified data
UK ACP 1999		 -
AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)
- - -
AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)
- - -
Dermal penetration studies (%)
- - -
Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464
List I; List II - -
Exposure Routes
Public
-
Occupational
May be absorbed through the skin
European MRLs
EU MRL pesticide database 
Drinking Water Standards
- - -
Drinking Water MAC (μg l⁻¹)
- - -
Health issues
Specific human health issues
Carcinogen
Genotoxic
Endocrine disruptor
XNo, known not to cause a problem
A3 A = Chromosome aberration (EFSA database)
3 = Negative
;
B0 B = DNA damage/repair (EFSA database)
0 = No data
;
C0 C = Gene mutation (EFSA database)
0 = No data
;
D0 D = Genome mutation (EFSA database)
0 = No data
;
E3 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source)
3 = Negative
 No data found
Reproduction / development effects Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor Neurotoxicant
?Possibly, status not identified
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
Respiratory tract irritant Skin irritant Skin sensitiser
No data found No data found No data found
Eye irritant Phototoxicant  
No data found No data found  
General human health issues
Bioaccumulates
Handling issues
Property
Value and interpretation
General
Prevent generation of mists
Use foam, carbon dioxide or dry chemicals to tackle fires
May produce toxic gases in a fire
CLP classification 2013
Health: H301, H312
Environment: H400, H410
EC Risk Classification
T - Toxic: R25
Xn - Harmful: R21
N - Dangerous for the environment: R50, R53
EC Safety Classification
S1/2, S25, S36/37, S45, S60, S61
WHO Classification
II (Moderately hazardous)
UN Number
3018
Waste disposal & packaging
-
TRANSLATIONS
Language
Name
English
ethion
French
ethion
German
Ethion
Danish
ethion
Italian
etion
Spanish
etion
Greek
ethion
Polish
etion
Swedish
-
Hungarian
-
Dutch
ethion
Record last updated: 19/01/2021
Contact: aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as: Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242