| fenthion (Ref: OMS 2) |
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Environmental Fate - Ecotoxicology - Human Health
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SUMMARY
Fenthino is an insecticide that is no longer approved for use in the EU. 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. GENERAL INFORMATION 
for fenthion
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 pests controlled: Fruit flies, Leafhoppers, Leaf miners, Stem borers, Codling moth, Mosquitoes, Pigeons, Weaver birds
Example applications: Fruit including apples, pears, avocadoes, grapes, stone fruit; Peppers; Ornamental trees, flowers and shrubs
Efficacy & activity: -
Availability status: Current
Introduction & key dates: 1960, first reported & introduced
EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414):
| Status | Not approved |
| Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur | Greece |
| Date inclusion expires | Expired |
| EU Candidate for substitution (CfS) | - |
| Listed in EU database | Yes |
Approved for use (
) or known to be used (
) in the following European countries: 
AT |
BE |
BG |
CY |
CZ |
DE |
DK |
EE |
EL |
ES |
FI |
FR |
HR |
HU |
IE |
IT |
LT |
LU |
LV |
MT |
NL |
PL |
PT |
RO |
SE |
SI |
SK |
UK |
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Chemical structure:
| Isomerism | - |
| Chemical formula | C10H15O3PS2 |
| Canonical SMILES | CC1=C(C=CC(=C1)OP(=S)(OC)OC)SC |
| Isomeric SMILES | No data |
| International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey) | PNVJTZOFSHSLTO-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
| International Chemical Identifier (InChI) | InChI=1S/C10H15O3PS2/c1-8-7-9(5-6-10(8)16-4)13-14(15,11-2)12-3/h5-7H,1-4H3 |
| 2D structure diagram/image available? | Yes |
General status:
| Pesticide type | Insecticide, Veterinary substance, Avicide | |||
| Substance group | Organophosphate | |||
| Minimum active substance purity | - | |||
| Known relevant impurities | - | |||
| Substance origin | Synthetic | |||
| Mode of action | Contact, stomach and respiratory action. Cholinesterase inhibitor. | |||
| CAS RN | 55-38-9 | |||
| EC number | 200-231-9 | |||
| CIPAC number | 79 | |||
| US EPA chemical code | 053301 | |||
| PubChem CID | 3346 | |||
| Molecular mass (g mol-1) | 278.33 | |||
| PIN (Preferred Identification Name) | O,O-dimethyl O-[3-methyl-4-(methylsulfanyl)phenyl] phosphorothioate | |||
| IUPAC name | O,O-dimethyl O-4-methylthio-m-tolyl phosphorothioate | |||
| CAS name | O,O-dimethyl O-(3-methyl-4-(methylthio)phenyl) phosphorothioate | |||
| Other status information | Severe Marine Pollutant; Evidence of use in third world countries; Chemical subject to PIC regulations; Highly toxic to birds | |||
| 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 | Many recorded cases mosquitoes Bactrocera dorsalis Myzus persicae Panonychus ulmi Rhizoglyphus robini |
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| Physical state | Colourless oily liquid | |||
| Related substances & organisms | - | |||
Formulations:
| Property |
Value | |||
| Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically |
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| Example products using this active |
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| UK LERAP status | No UK approval for use as a pesticide under EC Regulation 1107/2009 | |||
| 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
for fenthion
| Property |
Value | Source/Quality Score/Other Information |
Interpretation |
|
| Solubility - In water at 20oC (mg l-1) | 4.2 | H4 | Low | |
| Solubility - In organic solvents at 20oC (mg l-1) | 100000 | L3 - Hexane | - | |
| 250000 | L3 - Toluene | - | ||
| 250000 | L3 - Dichloromethane | - | ||
| 250000 | L3 - Isopropanol | - | ||
| Melting point (oC) | 7.5 | AC4 | - | |
| Boiling point (oC) | 90 | E3 | - | |
| Degradation point (oC) | - | - | - | |
| Flashpoint (oC) | 170 | E3 | - | |
| Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20oC | P | 6.92 X 1004 | Calculated | - |
| Log P | 4.84 | H4 | High | |
| Bulk density (g ml-1)/Specific gravity | 1.25 | AC4 | - | |
| Dissociation constant (pKa) at 25oC | - | - | - | |
| Note: | ||||
| Vapour pressure at 20oC (mPa) | 0.37 | H4 | Low volatility | |
| Henry's law constant at 25oC (Pa m3 mol-1) | 2.40 X 10-02 | H4 | Non-volatile | |
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 |
- | Calculated | Medium | |
| Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol-1 cm-1 | - | - | - | |
| Surface tension (mN m-1) | - | - | - | |
Degradation:
| Property |
Value | Source/Quality Score/Other Information |
Interpretation |
General biodegradability | - |
| Soil degradation (days) (aerobic) | DT50 (typical) | 22 | W4 | Non-persistent |
| DT50 (lab at 20oC) | 34 | DW4 | Moderately persistent | |
| DT50 (field) | - | - | - | |
| DT90 (lab at 20oC) | - | - | - | |
| DT90 (field) | - | - | - | |
| DT50 modelling endpoint | - | - | - | |
| Note | Data variable DT50 ranges 1(aerobic) - 34 days | |||
| Dissipation rate RL50 on plant matrix | Value | 6.6 | R4 | - |
| 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 on and in plant matrix | Value | 4.4 | R4 | - |
| 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 | Fast |
| Note | - | |||
| Aqueous hydrolysis DT50 (days) at 20oC and pH 7 | Value | Stable | W4 | - |
| Note | - | |||
| Water-sediment DT50 (days) | 92 | Q3 | Moderately fast | |
| Water phase only DT50 (days) | - | - | - | |
Soil adsorption and mobility:
| Property |
Value | Source/Quality Score/Other Information |
Interpretation |
|
| Linear | Kd | - | G3 | Slightly mobile |
| Koc | 1500 | |||
| Notes and range | - | |||
| Freundlich | Kf | - | - | - |
| Kfoc | - | |||
| 1/n | - | |||
| Notes and range | - | |||
| pH sensitivity | - | |||
Key metabolites:
| Metabolite | Formation medium | Estimated maximum occurrence fraction | 1107/2009 relevancy |
|
| fenthion sulfoxide (Ref: BAY S 2281) | Soil | - | - | |
| fenthion sulfone | Soil | - | - | |
| Property |
Value | Source/Quality Score/Other Information |
Interpretation |
|
| Bio-concentration factor | BCF (l kg-1) | 154 | R3 (Whole body, Other literature Log BCF range 1.0-2.3 (R3)) | Threshold for concern |
| CT50 (days) | 5 | - | ||
| Mammals - Acute oral LD50 (mg kg-1) | ~ 250 | AC4 Rat | Moderate | |
| Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL | (mg kg-1) | - | L2 Rat, 2 year | - |
| (ppm diet) | 5 | - | ||
| Birds - Acute LD50 (mg kg-1) | 7.2 | E3 Colinus virginianus | High | |
| Birds - Short term dietary (LC50/LD50) | - | - | - | |
| Fish - Acute 96 hour LC50 (mg l-1) | 0.8 | E3 Oncorhynchus mykiss | Moderate | |
| Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l-1) | - | - | - | |
| Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC50 (mg l-1) | 0.0057 | E3 Daphnia magna | High | |
| Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l-1) | - | - | - | |
| Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC50 (mg l-1) | 0.00018 | F4 Americamysis bahia | High | |
| 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) | 1.79 | L3 Scenedemus subspicatus | Moderate | |
| Algae - Chronic 96 hour NOEC, growth (mg l-1) | - | - | - | |
| Honeybees | Contact acute 48 hour LD50 (μg bee-1) | > 0.308 | F3 | High |
| Oral acute 48 hour LD50 (μg bee-1) | - | - | - | |
| Unknown mode acute 48 hour LD50 (μg bee-1) | - | - | - | |
| Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC50 (mg kg-1) | 375 | E3 Eisenia foetida | Moderate | |
| Earthworms - Chronic 14 day NOEC, reproduction (mg kg-1) | - | - | - | |
| Other soil macro-organisms - e.g. Collembola | LR50 / EC50 / NOEC / % Effect | - | - | - |
| Other arthropod (1) | LR50 g ha-1 | - | - | - |
| % Effect | - | - | - | |
| Other arthropod (2) | LR50 g ha-1 | - | - | - |
| % Effect | - | - | - | |
| Soil micro-organisms | Nitrogen mineralisation: >25% effect Carbon mineralisation: No significant adverse effect |
AC4 Dose: 10 uL/kg soil, 20deg C |
- | |
| Mesocosm study data | NOEAEC mg l-1 | - | - | - |
| NOEAEC mg l-1 | - | - | - | |
HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION
for fenthion
General:
| Property |
Value | Source/Quality Score/Other Information |
Interpretation |
|
| Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class) |
High (class III) | - | - | |
| Mammals - Acute oral LD50 (mg kg-1) | ~ 250 | AC4 Rat | Moderate | |
| Mammals - Dermal LD50 (mg kg-1 body weight) | 1680 | AC4 Rat | - | |
| Mammals - Inhalation LC50 (mg l-1) | 1.2 | AC4 Rat | - | |
| Other Mammal toxicity endpoints | Intraperitoneal LD50 = 260 mg kg-1 | V3 Rat | - | |
| Intravenous LD50 = 320 mg kg-1 | V3 Mouse | - | ||
| ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg-1bw day-1) | 0.007 | JMPR 1995 | - | |
| ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg-1bw day-1) | 0.01 | JMPR 1997 | - | |
| AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg-1 bw day-1) | - | - | - | |
| AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg-1bw day-1) | - | - | - | |
| Dermal penetration studies (%) | - | - | - | |
| Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464 | List I; List II | - | - | |
| Exposure Limits | - | - | - | |
| Exposure Routes | Public | - | ||
| Occupational | Ingestion main poisoning route | |||
| European MRLs | Click here for the EU MRL pesticide database | |||
| Drinking Water Standards | - | - | - | |
| Drinking Water MAC (μg l-1) | - | - | - | |
Health issues:
| Carcinogen | Mutagen | Endocrine disrupter | Reproduction / development effects | Cholinesterase inhibitor | Neurotoxicant | |||
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| Respiratory tract irritant | Skin irritant | Skin sensitiser | Eye irritant | Phototoxicant | ||||
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| General human health issues | Harmful in contact with skin or if inhaled or swallowed May harm central nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems |
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: Yes, known to cause a problem
: No, known not to cause a problem
: Possibly, status not identified
- : No data found
Handling issues:
| Property |
Value | Source/Quality Score/Other Information |
Interpretation |
|
| General |
No information available | |||
| CLP classification 2013 | Health: H302, H312, H331, H341 Environment: H400, H410 |
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| EC Risk Classification |
T - Toxic: R23, R48/25, R68 Xn - Harmful: R21/22 N - Dangerous for the environment: R50, R53 |
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| EC Safety Classification |
S1/2, S36/37, S45, S60, S61 | |||
| WHO Classification | II | - | Moderately hazardous | |
| US EPA Classification (formulation) | II | - | Warning - Moderately toxic | |
| UN Number | 3018 | |||
| Waste disposal & packaging |
- | |||
| Language | Name |
| English | fenthion |
| French | fenthion |
| German | Fenthion |
| Danish | fenthion |
| Italian | fention |
| Spanish | fention |
| Greek | fenthion |
| Slovenian | fention |
| Polish | fention |
| Swedish | - |
| Hungarian | fention |
| Dutch | fenthion |
Record last updated: Wednesday 23 May 2018
Contact: aeru@herts.ac.uk