(Also known as: MPP; ENT 25540; Bayer 29493; S-1752; BAY 29493; DMTP)
SUMMARY
Fenthion is an insecticide for sucking and chewing pests. It has a low water solubility but is generally highly soluble in organic solvents. It is volatile and is not expected to leach to groundwater. Its persistence in soil and water systems depends on local conditions. It is moderately toxic to mammals and a cholinesterase inhibitor. Fenthion is highly toxic to birds and honeybees and has a high to moderate toxicity to most aquatic species and earthworms.
Data alerts
The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement.
Environmental fate
Ecotoxicity
Human health
Environmental fate Moderate alert: Moderately persistent; Drainflow: Slightly mobile; Potential for particle bound transport: Medium
Ecotoxicity High alert: Birds acute ecotoxicity: High; Daphnia acute ecotoxicity: High; Daphnia chronic ecotoxicity: High; Bees acute contact ecotoxicity: High
Human health High alert: Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor
GENERAL INFORMATION
Description
A broad-spectrum insecticide used to control various sucking and biting insect pests in a range of agricultural, commercial and domestic situations. It is also used in veterinary medicine and for bird control
Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically
Bayer CropScience
AgroCare
King Tech Corp
Mobay
Example products using this active
Baycid
Baytex
Lebaycid
Queletox
Pilartex
Spotton
Formulation and application details
Available in a wide range of formulations including dustable powders, emulsifiable concentrates, granules, concentrates, ULV liquids and wettable powders.
ENVIRONMENTAL FATE
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)
4.2
H4 H = The US ARS pesticide properties database. Dataset is no longer available. 4 = Verified data
Low
Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)
100000
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source
Hexane
-
250000
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source
Toluene
-
250000
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source
Dichloromethane
-
250000
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source
Isopropanol
-
Melting point (°C)
7.5
AC4 AC = EC Joint Research Centre ESIS European Chemical Substance Information Systems including EINECS, now integrated with the database provided by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) (click here ) 4 = Verified data
-
Boiling point (°C)
90
E3 E = Manufacturers safety data sheets 3 = Unverified data of known source
-
Degradation point (°C)
-
-
-
Flashpoint (°C)
170
E3 E = Manufacturers safety data sheets 3 = Unverified data of known source
-
Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C
P
6.92 X 1004
Calculated
-
Log P
4.84
H4 H = The US ARS pesticide properties database. Dataset is no longer available. 4 = Verified data
High
Fat solubility of residues
Solubility
Soluble
A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
-
Data type
Regulatory data - observed in metabolism and farm animal feeding studies
A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
-
Density (g ml⁻¹)
1.25
AC4 AC = EC Joint Research Centre ESIS European Chemical Substance Information Systems including EINECS, now integrated with the database provided by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) (click here ) 4 = Verified data
-
Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C
-
-
-
-
Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)
0.37
H4 H = The US ARS pesticide properties database. Dataset is no longer available. 4 = Verified data
Low volatility. If applied directly to plants, drift is a concern & mitigation is advisable
Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)
2.40 X 10-02
H4 H = The US ARS pesticide properties database. Dataset is no longer available. 4 = Verified data
Non-volatile
Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost
From plant surface
-
-
-
From soil surface
-
-
-
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)
22
W4 W = French database provided by ARVALIS-Institut du Végétal. Dataset no longer available. 4 = Verified data
Non-persistent
DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)
34
DW4 DW = Don Wauchope personal database for Pka data: Wauchope, R. D. and Edwards, J. Dissociation constants for pesticide active ingredients: a database and comparison with predicted values. Dataset is no longer available. 4 = Verified data
Moderately persistent
DT₅₀ (field)
-
-
-
DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)
-
-
-
DT₉₀ (field)
-
-
-
DT₅₀ modelling endpoint
-
-
-
Note
Data variable DT₅₀ ranges 1(aerobic) - 34 days
Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on plant matrix
Value
6.6
R4 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications 4 = Verified data
-
Note
Published literature RL₅₀ range 5.6-7.6 days, grape berries, n=2; Grape berries in cold storage RL₅₀ range 42-45 days, n=2
Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on and in plant matrix
Value
4.4
R4 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications 4 = Verified data
-
Note
Published literature RL₅₀ range 1.0-8.0 days, 6 field crops, various matrices, n=12
Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7
Value
0.4
AC4 AC = EC Joint Research Centre ESIS European Chemical Substance Information Systems including EINECS, now integrated with the database provided by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) (click here ) 4 = Verified data
Fast
Note
-
Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7
Value
Stable
W4 W = French database provided by ARVALIS-Institut du Végétal. Dataset no longer available. 4 = Verified data
Stable
Note
-
Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)
92
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source
Moderately fast
Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)
-
-
-
Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)
-
-
-
Air degradation
As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.
Decay in stored produce DT₅₀
-
Soil adsorption and mobility
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Linear
Kd (mL g⁻¹)
-
G3 G = Extension Toxicology network database EXTOXNET. Available online but no longer updated. (click here ) 3 = Unverified data of known source
Slightly mobile
Koc (mL g⁻¹)
1500
Notes and range
-
Freundlich
Kf (mL g⁻¹)
-
-
-
Kfoc (mL g⁻¹)
-
1/n
-
Notes and range
-
pH sensitivity
-
Fate indices
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
GUS leaching potential index
1.26
Calculated
Low leachability
SCI-GROW groundwater index (μg l⁻¹) for a 1 kg ha⁻¹ or 1 l ha⁻¹ application rate
Value
2.77 X 10-02
Calculated
-
Note
-
Potential for particle bound transport index
Medium
Calculated
-
Potential for loss via drain flow
Slightly mobile
Calculated
-
Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀ (hrs) as indicator of long-range air transport risk
-
-
-
Bio-concentration factor
BCF (l kg⁻¹)
154
R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications 3 = Unverified data of known source
Whole body (Other literature Log BCF range 1.0-2.3 (
R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications 3 = Unverified data of known source
L2 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 2 = Unverified data of unknown source
Rat 2 yr
-
(ppm diet)
5
-
Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
-
-
-
Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
7.2
E3 E = Manufacturers safety data sheets 3 = Unverified data of known source
Colinus virginianus
High
Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)
-
-
-
Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
-
-
-
Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
375
E3 E = Manufacturers safety data sheets 3 = Unverified data of known source
Eisenia foetida
Moderate
Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)
-
-
-
Soil micro-organisms
Nitrogen mineralisation: >25% effect Carbon mineralisation: No significant adverse effect
AC4 AC = EC Joint Research Centre ESIS European Chemical Substance Information Systems including EINECS, now integrated with the database provided by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) (click here ) 4 = Verified data
Dose: 10 uL/kg soil 20 °C
-
Collembola
Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
-
-
-
Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)
-
-
-
Non-target plants
-
-
-
-
-
-
Honeybees (Apis spp.)
Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
> 0.308
F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment ) 3 = Unverified data of known source
Apis mellifera
High
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)
-
-
-
Chronic
-
-
-
Notes
-
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 bee species (1)
Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)
-
-
-
Mode of exposure
-
Other bee species (2)
Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)
-
-
-
Mode of exposure
-
Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)
-
-
-
Beneficial insects (Lacewings)
-
-
-
Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)
-
-
-
Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)
-
-
-
Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)
-
-
-
Aquatic ecotoxicology
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
0.8
E3 E = Manufacturers safety data sheets 3 = Unverified data of known source
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Moderate
Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)
0.12
P3 P = Other non-EU, UK or US Governments and Regulators 3 = Unverified data of known source
Pimephales promelas 30 day
Moderate
Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
4.25
F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment ) 3 = Unverified data of known source
AC4 AC = EC Joint Research Centre ESIS European Chemical Substance Information Systems including EINECS, now integrated with the database provided by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) (click here ) 4 = Verified data
Rat
-
Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
1.2
AC4 AC = EC Joint Research Centre ESIS European Chemical Substance Information Systems including EINECS, now integrated with the database provided by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) (click here ) 4 = Verified data
Rat
-
Other Mammal toxicity endpoints
Intraperitoneal LD₅₀ = 260 mg kg⁻¹
V3 V = ChemID Online Databases; Chemspider; PubChem. (ChemID ) 3 = Unverified data of known source
Rat
-
Intravenous LD₅₀ = 320 mg kg⁻¹
V3 V = ChemID Online Databases; Chemspider; PubChem. (ChemID ) 3 = Unverified data of known source
Mouse
-
ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)
None allocated
A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
-
ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)
0.01
A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
A5 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
-
Dermal penetration studies (%)
-
-
-
Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464
List I; List II
-
-
Exposure Routes
Public
-
Occupational
Ingestion main poisoning route
MRLs
European
EU MRL pesticide database
Great Britain
GB MRL Register
Notes
-
Drinking Water Standards
-
-
-
Drinking Water MAC (μg l⁻¹)
-
-
-
Mammalian dose elimination route and rate
Excreted in the faeces and urine almost completely after 3days
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source
-
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
;
E2 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source) 2 = Mixed/ambiguous results
No data found
Reproduction / development effects
Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor
Neurotoxicant
?Possibly, status not identified
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
?Possibly, status not identified
Respiratory tract irritant
Skin irritant
Skin sensitiser
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
No data found
Eye irritant
Phototoxicant
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
No data found
General human health issues
Harmful in contact with skin or if inhaled or swallowed May harm central nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems Suspected of causing genetic defects
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
Environmental fate
Ecotoxicity
