Welcome to Moore Organics!

This Page is a List of Commonly used Commercial Pesticides

This Page is a List of Commonly used Pesticides by commercial producers for both local, and around the world. We stress here, WE DONT USE THESE! This information is only provided for educational purposes. The choices you make about the food you eat, are clearly yours. In a capitalistic environment, it's true the people's majority rules, but only when the people let the suppliers know what they want.

We'll leave you with only one question:

What do you want you and your loved ones to eat?

Chlorothalonil (aka Bravo)

Trade and Other Names: Trade names for chlorothalonil include Bravo, Chlorothalonil, Daconil 2787, Echo, Exotherm Termil, Forturf, Mold-Ex, Nopcocide N-96, Ole, Pillarich, Repulse, and Tuffcide. The compound can be found in formulations with many other pesticide compounds.

Regulatory Status: Chlorothalonil is classified as a General Use Pesticide (GUP) by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It is classified as toxicity class II - moderately toxic, due to its potential for eye irritation. Chlorothalonil containing products have a range of Signal Words, including WARNING (Bravo 720, 500), CAUTION (Exotherm Termil), and DANGER (Bravo W-75, Daconil W-75). Each of these products has a different formulation and product concentration and thus requires a different Signal Word.

Chemical Class: chloronitrile

Introduction: Chlorothalonil is a broad-spectrum organochlorine fungicide used to control fungi that threaten vegetables, trees, small fruits, turf, ornamentals, and other agricultural crops. It also controls fruit rots in cranberry bogs.

Formulation: The compound can be found in formulations with many other pesticide compounds.

Toxicological Effects:

Acute toxicity: Chlorothalonil is slightly toxic to mammals, but it can cause severe eye and skin irritation in certain formulations [2]. Very high doses may cause a loss of muscle coordination, rapid breathing, nose bleeding, vomiting, hyperactivity, and death. Dermatitis, vaginal bleeding, bright yellow and/or bloody urine, and kidney tumors may also occur [17]. The oral LD50 is greater than 10,000 mg/kg in rats and 6000 mg/kg in mice [9,17]. The acute dermal LD50 in both albino rabbits and albino rats is 10,000 mg/kg (9,17). In albino rabbits, 3 mg of chlorothalonil applied to the eyes caused mild irritation that subsided within 7 days of exposure [35].
Chronic toxicity: In a number of tests of varying lengths of time, rats fed a range of doses of chlorothalonil generally showed no effects on physical appearance, behavior, or survival [35]. Skin contact with chlorothalonil may result in dermatitis or light sensitivity [35]. Human eye and skin irritation is linked to chlorothalonil exposure; 14 of 20 workers exposed to 0.5% chlorothalonil in a wood preservative developed dermatitis. All workers showed swelling and inflammation of the upper eyelids [35]. Allergic skin responses have also been noted in farm workers [7].
Reproductive effects: Administration of high doses of chlorothalonil to pregnant rabbits through the stomach during the sensitive period of gestation was required to induce abortion in 4 of the 9 mothers. This and other studies suggest that chlorothalonil will not affect human reproduction at expected exposure levels [35].
Teratogenic effects: Long-term studies indicate that high doses fed to rats caused reduced weight gains for males and females in each generation studied [35]. Female rats given high doses of chlorothalonil through the stomach during the sensitive period of gestation had normal fetuses, even though that dose was toxic to the mothers [35]. A study of birth defects in rabbits showed no effects [36]. Chlorothalonil is not expected to produce birth defects in humans.
Mutagenic effects: Mutagenicity studies on various animals, bacteria, and plants indicate that chlorothalonil does not cause any genetic changes [17,35,36]. The compound is not expected to pose mutagenic risks to humans.
Carcinogenic effects: Based on evidence from animal studies, chlorothalonil's carcinogenic potential is unclear. Male and female rats fed chlorothalonil daily over a lifetime developed carcinogenic and benign kidney tumors at the higher doses [35]. In another study, where mice were fed high daily doses of chlorothalonil for 2 years, females developed tumors in the fore-stomach area (attributed to irritation by the compound) and males developed carcinogenic and benign kidney tumors [35].
Organ toxicity: Chronic studies of rats and dogs fed high dietary levels show that chlorothalonil is toxic to the kidney. In addition to less urine output, changes in the kidney included enlargement, greenish-brown color, and development of small grains [37].

Fate in humans and animals: Chlorothalonil is rapidly excreted, primarily unchanged, from the body. It is not stored in animal tissues. Rats and dogs fed very high doses for 2 years eliminated almost all of the chemical in urine, feces, and expired air [17,38]. At lower concentrations, chlorothalonil leaves the body within 24 hours. Residues have not been found in the tissues or milk of dairy cows fed chlorothalonil [17].

Ecological Effects:

Effects on birds: Chlorothalonil is practically nontoxic to birds. The LD50 in mallard ducks is 5000 mg/kg [9]. Most avian wildlife are not significantly affected by this compound [17].
Effects on aquatic organisms: Chlorothalonil and its metabolites are highly toxic to fish, aquatic invertebrates, and marine organisms. Fish, such as rainbow trout, bluegill, and channel catfish are noticeably affected even when chlorothalonil levels are low (less than 1 mg/L). The LC50 is 0.25 mg/L in rainbow trout, 0.3 mg/L in bluegills, and 0.43 mg/L in channel catfish [9]. Chlorothalonil does not store in fatty tissues and is rapidly excreted from the body. Its bioaccumulation factor is quite low [17].
Effects on other organisms: The compound is nontoxic to bees [9].

Environmental Fate:

Breakdown in soil and groundwater: Chlorothalonil is moderately persistent. In aerobic soils, the half-life is from 1 to 3 months. Increased soil moisture or temperature increases chlorothalonil degradation. It is not degraded by sunlight on the soil surface [17]. Chlorothalonil has high binding and low mobility in silty loam and silty clay loam soils, and has low binding and moderate mobility in sand [35]. Chlorothalonil was not found in any of 560 groundwater samples collected from 556 U.S. sites [35].
Breakdown in water: In very basic water (pH 9.0), about 65% of the chlorothalonil was degraded into two major metabolites after 10 weeks. Chlorothalonil was found in one surface water location in Michigan at 6.5 mg/L [35].
Breakdown in vegetation: Chlorothalonil's residues may remain on above-ground crops at harvest, but will dissipate over time. Chlorothalonil is a fairly persistent fungicide on plants, depending on the rate of application. Small amounts of one metabolite may be found in harvested crops [37].

Physical Properties:

Appearance: Chlorothalonil is an aromatic halogen compound, a member of the chloronitrile chemical family. It is a grayish to colorless crystalline solid that is odorless to slightly pungent [9].
Chemical Name: tetrachloroisophthalonitrile [9]
CAS Number: 1897-45-6
Molecular Weight: 265.92
Water Solubility: 0.6 mg/L @ 25 C [9]
Solubility in Other Solvents: acetone s.s.; dimethyl sulfoxide s.s.; cyclohexanone s.s.; kerosene i.s.; xylene s.s. [9]
Melting Point: 250-251 C [9]
Vapor Pressure: 1.3 mPa @ 40 C [9]
Partition Coefficient: 437 (calc.): 20.9 [17]
Adsorption Coefficient: 1380 [14]

Exposure Guidelines:

ADI: 0.03 mg/kg/day [27]
MCL: Not Available
RfD: 0.015 mg/kg/day [8]
PEL: Not Available
HA: 0.5 mg/L (longer-term) [35]
TLV: Not Available

Basic Manufacturer:

Crystal Chemical Inter-America
10303 N.W. Freeway, Suite 512
Houston TX 77083

Phone: 713-956-6196
Emergency: Not Available

DISCLAIMER: The information in this profile does not in any way replace or supersede the information on the pesticide product labeling or other regulatory requirements. Please refer to the pesticide product labeling. More information is available from both the manufacturer (see below) and Cornell Co-Operative Extension.

Captan (another fungicide)

Trade and Other Names: Trade names for captan include Agrox, Captal, Captec, Captol, Captonex, Clomitane, Merpan, Meteoro, Orthocide, Phytocape, Sepicap, Sorene, and Vancide 89. Captan may be found in formulations with a wide range of other pesticides.

Regulatory Status: Captan is a General Use Pesticide (GUP), though most uses of the compound on food crops were cancelled in the U.S. in 1989. It is categorized as toxicity class IV - practically nontoxic. However, it bears the Signal Words DANGER or CAUTION if packaged in concentrated form because it can be irritating to the skin and eyes.

Chemical Class: phthalimide

Introduction: Captan is a nonsystemic phthalimide fungicide used to control diseases of many fruit, ornamental, and vegetable crops. It improves fruit finish by giving it a healthy, bright colored appearance. It is used in agricultural production as well as by the home gardener. A major use of captan is in apple production.

Formulation: Not Available

Toxicological Effects:

Acute toxicity: The rat oral LD50 for captan ranges from 8400 to 15,000 mg/kg, indicating very low acute toxicity [15]. The mouse LD50 is 7000 mg/kg. Sheep showed no effect at doses of 200 mg/kg, but experienced deaths at 250 mg/kg. The inhalation LC50 (2-hour) in mice is 5.0 mg/L [8]. Rabbits showed little or no skin sensitization to captan, while guinea pigs were moderately sensitive [6]. Workers exposed to high concentrations of captan in air (6 mg/m3) experienced eye irritation including burning, itching, and tearing. Skin irritation also occurred in some cases [6].
Chronic toxicity: Rats fed up to 750 mg/kg/day of Orthocide for 4 weeks had decreased food intake and body weights [6]. No deaths occurred in pigs given as much as 420 to 4000 mg/kg/day in the diet for 12 to 25 weeks, however, cattle given six doses of 250 mg/kg experienced varied toxic effects, including death [6].
Reproductive effects: Pregnant mice exposed by inhalation to high doses of captan for 4 hours a day during days 6 to 15 of gestation showed significant mortality or weight loss. Fetal mortality accompanied these effects. Mice fed 50 mg/kg/day over three generations reproduced normally. Captan is unlikely to cause reproductive effects in humans at usual levels of exposure [6,8].
Teratogenic effects: Teratogenicity studies with rats, rabbits, hamsters, and dogs have given both negative and positive results. However, the weight of evidence suggests that captan does not produce birth defects [16].
Mutagenic effects: Although captan was mutagenic in some laboratory tests on isolated tissue cultures, the majority of evidence indicates that captan is nonmutagenic [16].
Carcinogenic effects: There is strong evidence that captan causes cancer in female mice and in male rats at high doses. In addition, captan is chemically similar to two other pesticides, folpet and captafol, that have been shown to produce cancer in test animals. Tumors were associated with the gastrointestinal tract and, to a lesser degree, with the kidneys. Tumors appeared in the test animals at doses of about 300 mg/kg/day [6,8].
Organ toxicity: Most organ-specific effects are found in the kidneys of rats at and above doses of 100 mg/kg/day.

Fate in humans and animals: Studies in several animal species have shown that captan is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and is rapidly metabolized. Residues are excreted primarily in the urine. Rats given captan orally excreted a third in the feces and half in the urine within 24 hours. A cow fed small amounts in its diet for 4 days had no captan in the milk at a 0.01 mg/L detection limit, nor could any be detected in the urine at a 0.1 mg/L detection limit [6].

Ecological Effects:

Effects on birds: Captan is practically nontoxic to birds. The LD50 is greater than 5000 mg/kg in mallard ducks and pheasants. The LD50 is 2000 to 4000 mg/kg in bobwhite quail [1]. High doses administered for 90 days to chickens caused an 80% reduction in the number of eggs produced, but had no effect on the fertility or hatchability of the eggs produced [6].
Effects on aquatic organisms: Captan is very highly toxic to fish. The LC50 (96-hour) for technical captan ranges from 0.056 mg/L in cutthroat trout and chinook salmon to 0.072 mg/L in bluegill [1]. The LC50 for captan in the aquatic invertebrate Daphnia magna is 7 to 10 mg/L, indicating that the compound is moderately toxic to this and other aquatic invertebrates [8]. Captan has a low to moderate tendency to accumulate in living tissue. Fish exposed for 3 days to concentrations which would be expected in a pond following treatment of an adjacent watershed at a rate of 1 lb/acre, had no detectable residues of captan [6]. Estimates of the bioconcentration factor range from 10 to 1000 [9].
Effects on other organisms: Captan is not toxic to bees when used as directed [1].

Environmental Fate:

Breakdown in soil and groundwater: Captan has a low persistence in soil, with a half-life of 1 to 10 days in most soil environments [6]. Captan was not detected in field studies of its mobility at application rates of up to 42 kg active ingredient per hectare [9].
Breakdown in water: Captan is rapidly degraded in near neutral water. Half-lives of 23 to 54 hours and 1 to 7 hours have been reported at various acidities and temperatures [6]. The effective residual life in water is 2 weeks [15].
Breakdown in vegetation: Captan is taken up through leaves and roots and translocated throughout the plant. Residual fungitoxicity remains for 23 days after application on potato leaves, but residues were below the detection limit within 40 days after application [6]. Some varieties of apples, pears, lettuce seeds, celery, and tomato seeds may be injured by captan at high doses [1].

Physical Properties:

Appearance: Captan is a white to buff colored compound in the technical form. It is a colorless crystal in its pure form [1]. The technical product has a pungent smell.
Chemical Name: 3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-2-[(trichloromethyl)thio]-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione
CAS Number: 133-06-2
Molecular Weight: 300.61
Water Solubility: 3.3 mg/L @ 25 C [1]
Solubility in Other Solvents: xylene s.; acetone s.; chloroform v.s.; cyclohexanone v.s. [1]
Melting Point: 178 C [1]
Vapor Pressure: 1.3 mPa @ 25 C [1]
Partition Coefficient: 2.7853 [1]
Adsorption Coefficient: 200 [11]

Exposure Guidelines:

ADI: 0.1 mg/kg/day [12]
MCL: Not Available
RfD: 0.13 mg/kg/day [13]
PEL: Not Available
HA: Not Available
TLV: 5 mg/m3 (8-hour) [17]

Basic Manufacturer:

Drexel Chemical Company
1700 Channel Avenue
Memphis, TN 38113

Phone: 901-774-4370
Emergency:Not Available

Atrazine

Trade and Other Names: Trade names include Aatrex, Aktikon, Alazine, Atred, Atranex, Atrataf, Atratol, Azinotox, Crisazina, Farmco Atrazine, G-30027, Gesaprim, Giffex 4L, Malermais, Primatol, Simazat, and Zeapos.

Regulatory Status: Atrazine has been classified as a Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP) due to its potential for groundwater contamination [2]. RUPs may be purchased and used only by certified applicators. Atrazine is toxicity class III - slightly toxic. In November, 1994, the EPA initiated a Special Review which could result in use restrictions or cancellation of atrazine if health data warrant such action. Products containing atrazine must the Signal Word CAUTION.

Chemical Class: triazine

Introduction: Atrazine is a selective triazine herbicide used to control broadleaf and grassy weeds in corn, sorghum, sugarcane, pineapple, christmas trees, and other crops, and in conifer reforestation plantings. It is also used as a nonselective herbicide on non-cropped industrial lands and on fallow lands. Over 64 million acres of cropland were treated with atrazine in the U.S. in 1990. It is available as dry flowable, flowable liquid, liquid, water dispersible granular, and wettable powder formulations.

Formulation: It is available as dry flowable, flowable liquid, liquid, water dispersible granular, and wettable powder formulations.

Toxicological Effects:

Acute toxicity: Atrazine is slightly to moderately toxic to humans and other animals. It can be absorbed orally, dermally, and by inhalation. Symptoms of poisoning include abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting, eye irritation, irritation of mucous membranes, and skin reactions [3]. At very high doses, rats show excitation followed by depression, slowed breathing, incoordination, muscle spasms, and hypothermia [3]. After consuming a large oral dose, rats exhibit muscular weakness, hypoactivity, breathing difficulty, prostration, convulsions, and death [16]. Atrazine is a mild skin irritant. Rashes associated with exposure have been reported. The oral LD50 for atrazine is 3090 mg/kg in rats, 1750 mg/kg in mice, 750 mg/kg in rabbits, and 1000 mg/kg in hamsters. The dermal LD50 in rabbits is 7500 mg/kg and greater than 3000 mg/kg in rats [15,16]. The 1-hour inhalation LC50 is greater than 0.7 mg/L in rats. The 4-hour inhalation LC50 is 5.2 mg/L in rats [3,6].
Chronic toxicity: Some 40% of rats receiving oral doses of 20 mg/kg/day for 6 months died with signs of respiratory distress and paralysis of the limbs. Structural and chemical changes in the brain, heart, liver, lungs, kidney, ovaries, and endocrine organs were observed [3,16]. Rats fed 5 or 25 mg/kg/day of atrazine for 6 months exhibited growth retardation. In a 2-year study with dogs, 7.5 mg/kg/day caused decreased food intake and increased heart and liver weights. At 75 mg/kg/day, there were decreases in food intake and body weight gain, increased adrenal weight, lowered blood cell counts, and occasional tremors or stiffness in the rear limbs [3].
Reproductive effects: Dietary doses of atrazine given to rats on days 3, 6 and 9 of gestation up to about 50 mg/kg/day caused no adverse reproductive effects [3].
Teratogenic effects: Atrazine does not appear to be teratogenic. In mice, atrazine did not cause abnormalities in fetuses whose dams were given doses of 46.4 mg/kg/day during days 6 through 14 of gestation [3].
Mutagenic effects: The weight of evidence from more than 50 studies indicates that atrazine is not mutagenic [3].
Carcinogenic effects: Atrazine did not cause tumors when mice were given oral doses of 21.5 mg/kg/day from age 1 to 4 weeks, followed by dietary doses of 82 mg/kg for an additional 17 months. However, mammary tumors were observed in rats after lifetime administration of high doses of atrazine [3]. Thus, available data regarding atrazine's carcinogenic potential are inconclusive.
Organ toxicity: Lethal doses of atrazine in test animals have caused congestion and/or hemorrhaging to the lungs, kidneys, liver, spleen, brain, and heart [3]. Long-term consumption of high levels of atrazine has caused tremors, changes in organ weights, and damage to the liver and heart [3].

Fate in humans and animals: Atrazine is readily absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. When a single dose of 0.53 mg atrazine was administered to rats by gavage, 20% of the dose was excreted in the feces within 72 hours. The other 80% was absorbed across the lining of the gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream. After 72 hours, 65% was eliminated in the urine and 15% was retained in body tissues, mainly in the liver, kidneys, and lungs [3].

Ecological Effects:

Effects on birds: Atrazine is practically nontoxic to birds. The LD50 is greater than 2000 mg/kg in mallard ducks. At dietary doses of 5000 ppm, no effect was observed in bobwhite quail and ring-necked pheasants [15,16].
Effects on aquatic organisms: Atrazine is slightly toxic to fish and other aquatic life. Atrazine has a low level of bioaccumulation in fish. In whitefish, atrazine accumulates in the brain, gall bladder, liver, and gut [16].
Effects on other organisms: Atrazine is not toxic to bees [16].

Environmental Fate:

Breakdown in soil and groundwater: Atrazine is highly persistent in soil. Chemical hydrolysis, followed by degradation by soil microorganisms, accounts for most of the breakdown of atrazine. Hydrolysis is rapid in acidic or basic environments, but is slower at neutral pHs. Addition of organic material increases the rate of hydrolysis. Atrazine can persist for longer than 1 year under dry or cold conditions [21]. Atrazine is moderately to highly mobile in soils with low clay or organic matter content. Because it does not adsorb strongly to soil particles and has a lengthy half-life (60 to >100 days), it has a high potential for groundwater contamination despite its moderate solubility in water [20]. Atrazine is the second most common pesticide found in private wells and in community wells [16]. Trace amounts have been found in drinking water samples and in groundwater samples in a number of states [23,21]. A 5-year survey of drinking water wells detected atrazine in an estimated 1.7% of community water systems and 0.7% of rural domestic wells nationwide. Levels detected in rural domestic wells sometimes exceeded the MCL [23]. The recently completed National Survey of Pesticides in Drinking Water found atrazine in nearly 1% of all of the wells tested [23].
Breakdown in water: Atrazine is moderately soluble in water. Chemical hydrolysis, followed by biodegradation, may be the most important route of disappearance from aquatic environments. Hydrolysis is rapid under acidic or basic conditions, but is slower at neutral pHs. Atrazine is not expected to strongly adsorb to sediments. Bioconcentration and volatilization of atrazine are not environmentally important [21]. Atrazine has been detected in each of 146 water samples collected at 8 locations from the Mississippi, Ohio and Missouri Rivers and their tributaries. For several weeks, 27% of these samples contained atrazine concentrations above the EPA's maximum contaminant level (MCL) [24].
Breakdown in vegetation: Atrazine is absorbed by plants mainly through the roots, but also through the foliage. Once absorbed, it is translocated upward and accumulates in the growing tips and the new leaves of the plant. In susceptible plant species, atrazine inhibits photosynthesis. In tolerant plants, it is metabolized [6]. Most crops can be planted 1 year after application of atrazine. Atrazine increases the uptake of arsenic by treated plants [16].

Physical Properties:

Appearance: Atrazine is a white, crystalline solid [6].
Chemical Name: 2-chloro-4-ethylamine-6-isopropylamino-S-triazine [6]
CAS Number: 1912-24-9
Molecular Weight: 215.69
Water Solubility: 28 mg/L @ 20 C [6]
Solubility in Other Solvents: chloroform v.s.; diethyl ether v.s.; dimethyl sulfoxide v.s. [6]
Melting Point: 176 C [6]
Vapor Pressure: 0.04 mPa @ 20 C [6]
Partition Coefficient: 2.3404 [6]
Adsorption Coefficient: 100 [20]

Exposure Guidelines:

ADI: Not Available
MCL: 0.003 mg/L [25]
RfD: 0.035 mg/kg/day [26]
PEL: Not Available
HA: Not Available
TLV: 5 mg/m3 (8-hour) [16]

Basic Manufacturer:

Ciba-Geigy Corp.
P.O. Box 18300
Greensboro, NC 27419-8300

Phone: 800-334-9481
Emergency: 800-888-8372

Glyphosate

Roundup, Rodeo, Touchdown, Ranger, Pondmaster, Gallup

Trade and Other Names: Trade names for products containing glyphosate include Gallup, Landmaster, Pondmaster, Ranger, Roundup, Rodeo, and Touchdown. It may be used in formulations with other herbicides.

Regulatory Status: Glyphosate acid and its salts are moderately toxic compounds in EPA toxicity class II. Labels for products containing these compounds must bear the Signal Word WARNING. Glyphosate is a General Use Pesticide (GUP).

Chemical Class: Not Available

Introduction: Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum, nonselective systemic herbicide used for control of annual and perennial plants including grasses, sedges, broad-leaved weeds, and woody plants. It can be used on non-cropland as well as on a great variety of crops. Glyphosate itself is an acid, but it is commonly used in salt form, most commonly the isopropylamine salt. It may also be available in acidic or trimethylsulfonium salt forms. It is generally distributed as water-soluble concentrates and powders. The information presented here refers to the technical grade of the acid form of glyphosate, unless otherwise noted.

Formulation: Glyphosate itself is an acid, but it is commonly used in salt form, most commonly the isopropylamine salt. It may also be available in acidic or trimethylsulfonium salt forms. It is generally distributed as water-soluble concentrates and powders.

Toxicological Effects:

Acute toxicity: Glyphosate is practically nontoxic by ingestion, with a reported acute oral LD50 of 5600 mg/kg in the rat. The toxicities of the technical acid (glyphosate) and the formulated product (Roundup) are nearly the same [58,96]. The oral LD50 for the trimethylsulfonium salt is reported to be approximately 750 mg/kg in rats, which indicates moderate toxicity [58]. Formulations may show moderate toxicity as well (LD50 values between 1000 mg/kg and 5000 mg/kg) [58]. Oral LD50 values for glyphosate are greater than 10,000 mg/kg in mice, rabbits, and goats [8,96]. It is practically nontoxic by skin exposure, with reported dermal LD50 values of greater than 5000 mg/kg for the acid and isopropylamine salt. The trimethylsulfonium salt has a reported dermal LD50 of greater than 2000 mg/kg. It is reportedly not irritating to the skin of rabbits, and does not induce skin sensitization in guinea pigs [58]. It does cause eye irritation in rabbits [58]. Some formulations may cause much more extreme irritation of the skin or eyes [58]. In a number of human volunteers, patch tests produced no visible skin changes or sensitization [58]. The reported 4-hour rat inhalation LC50 values for the technical acid and salts were 5 to 12 mg/L [58], indicating moderate toxicity via this route. Some formulations may show high acute inhalation toxicity [58]. While it does contain a phosphatyl functional group, it is not structually similar to organophosphate pesticides which contain organophosphate esters, and it does not significantly inhibit cholinesterase activity [1,58].
Chronic toxicity: Studies of glyphosate lasting up to 2 years, have been conducted with rats, dogs, mice, and rabbits, and with few exceptions no effects were observed [96]. For example, in a chronic feeding study with rats, no toxic effects were observed in rats given doses as high as 400 mg/kg/day [58]. Also, no toxic effects were observed in a chronic feeding study with dogs fed up to 500 mg/kg/day, the highest dose tested [58,97].
Reproductive effects: Laboratory studies show that glyphosate produces reproductive changes in test animals very rarely and then only at very high doses (over 150 mg/kg/day) [58,96]. It is unlikely that the compound would produce reproductive effects in humans.
Teratogenic effects: In a teratology study with rabbits, no developmental toxicity was observed in the fetuses at the highest dose tested (350 mg/kg/day) [97]. Rats given doses up to 175 mg/kg/day on days 6 to 19 of pregnancy had offspring with no teratogenic effects, but other toxic effects were observed in both the mothers and the fetuses. No toxic effects to the fetuses occurred at 50 mg/kg/day [97]. Glyphosate does not appear to be teratogenic.
Mutagenic effects: Glyphosate mutagenicity and genotoxicity assays have been negative [58]. These included the Ames test, other bacterial assays, and the Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell culture, rat bone marrow cell culture, and mouse dominant lethal assays [58]. It appears that glyphosate is not mutagenic.
Carcinogenic effects: Rats given oral doses of up to 400 mg/kg/day did not show any signs of cancer, nor did dogs given oral doses of up to 500 mg/kg/day or mice fed glyphosate at doses of up to 4500 mg/kg/day [58]. It appears that glyphosate is not carcinogenic [97].
Organ toxicity: Some microscopic liver and kidney changes, but no observable differences in function or toxic effects, have been seen after lifetime administration of glyphosate to test animals [97].

Fate in humans and animals: Glyphosate is poorly absorbed from the digestive tract and is largely excreted unchanged by mammals. At 10 days after treatment, there were only minute amounts in the tissues of rats fed glyphosate for 3 weeks [98]. Cows, chickens, and pigs fed small amounts of glyphosate had undetectable levels (less than 0.05 ppm) in muscle tissue and fat. Levels in milk and eggs were also undetectable (less than 0.025 ppm). Glyphosate has no significant potential to accumulate in animal tissue [99].

Ecological Effects:

Effects on birds: Glyphosate is slightly toxic to wild birds. The dietary LC50 in both mallards and bobwhite quail is greater than 4500 ppm [1].
Effects on aquatic organisms: Technical glyphosate acid is practically nontoxic to fish and may be slightly toxic to aquatic invertebrates. The 96-hour LC50 is 120 mg/L in bluegill sunfish, 168 mg/L in harlequin, and 86 mg/L in rainbow trout [58]. The reported 96-hour LC50 values for other aquatic species include greater than 10 mg/L in Atlantic oysters, 934 mg/L in fiddler crab, and 281 mg/L in shrimp [58]. The 48-hour LC50 for glyphosate in Daphnia (water flea), an important food source for freshwater fish, is 780 mg/L [58]. Some formulations may be more toxic to fish and aquatic species due to differences in toxicity between the salts and the parent acid or to surfactants used in the formulation [58,96]. There is a very low potential for the compound to build up in the tissues of aquatic invertebrates or other aquatic organisms [96].
Effects on other organisms: Glyphosate is nontoxic to honeybees [1,58]. Its oral and dermal LD50 is greater than 0.1 mg/ bee [98]. The reported contact LC50 values for earthworms in soil are greater than 5000 ppm for both the glyphosate trimethylsulfonium salt and Roundup [58].

Environmental Fate:

Breakdown in soil and groundwater: Glyphosate is moderately persistent in soil, with an estimated average half-life of 47 days [58,11]. Reported field half-lives range from 1 to 174 days [11]. It is strongly adsorbed to most soils, even those with lower organic and clay content [11,58]. Thus, even though it is highly soluble in water, field and laboratory studies show it does not leach appreciably, and has low potential for runoff (except as adsorbed to colloidal matter) [3,11]. One estimate indicated that less than 2% of the applied chemical is lost to runoff [99]. Microbes are primarily responsible for the breakdown of the product, and volatilization or photodegradation losses will be negligible [58].
Breakdown in water: In water, glyphosate is strongly adsorbed to suspended organic and mineral matter and is broken down primarily by microorganisms [6]. Its half-life in pond water ranges from 12 days to 10 weeks [97].
Breakdown in vegetation: Glyphosate may be translocated throughout the plant, including to the roots. It is extensively metabolized by some plants, while remaining intact in others [1].

Physical Properties:

Appearance: Glyphosate is a colorless crystal at room temperature [1].
Chemical Name: N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine [1]
CAS Number: 1071-83-6
Molecular Weight: 169.08
Water Solubility: 12,000 mg/L @ 25 C [1]
Solubility in Other Solvents: i.s. in common organics (e.g., acetone, ethanol, and xylene) [1]
Melting Point: 200 C [1]
Vapor Pressure: negligible [1]
Partition Coefficient: -3.2218 - -2.7696 [58]
Adsorption Coefficient: 24,000 (estimated) [11]

Exposure Guidelines:

ADI: 0.3 mg/kg/day [12]
MCL: Not Available
RfD: 0.1 mg/kg/day [13]
PEL: Not Available
HA: 0.7 mg/L (lifetime) [98]
TLV: Not Available

Basic Manufacturer:

Monsanto Company
800 N. Lindbergh Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63167

Phone: 314-694-6640
Emergency: 314-694-4000

Malathion

Trade and Other Names: Malathion is also known as carbophos, maldison and mercaptothion. Trade names for products containing malathion include Celthion, Cythion, Dielathion, El 4049, Emmaton, Exathios, Fyfanon and Hilthion, Karbofos and Maltox.

Regulatory Status: Malathion is a slightly toxic compound in EPA toxicity class III. Labels for products containing it must carry the Signal Word CAUTION. Malathion is a General Use Pesticide (GUP). It is available in emulsifiable concentrate, wettable powder, dustable powder, and ultra low volume liquid formulations.

Chemical Class: organophosphate

Introduction: Malathion is a nonsystemic, wide-spectrum organophosphate insecticide. It was one of the earliest organophosphate insecticides developed (introduced in 1950). Malathion is suited for the control of sucking and chewing insects on fruits and vegetables, and is also used to control mosquitoes, flies, household insects, animal parasites (ectoparasites), and head and body lice. Malathion may also be found in formulations with many other pesticides.

Formulation: It is available in emulsifiable concentrate, wettable powder, dustable powder, and ULV liquid formulations. Malathion may also be found in formulations with many other pesticides.

Toxicological Effects:

Acute toxicity: Malathion is slightly toxic via the oral route, with reported oral LD50 values of 1000 mg/kg to greater than 10,000 mg/kg in the rat, and 400 mg/kg to greater than 4000 mg/kg in the mouse [2,13]. It is also slightly toxic via the dermal route, with reported dermal LD50 values of greater than 4000 mg/kg in rats [2,13]. Effects of malathion are similar to those observed with other organophosphates, except that larger doses are required to produce them [2,8]. It has been reported that single doses of malathion may affect immune system response [2]. Symptoms of acute exposure to organophosphate or cholinesterase-inhibiting compounds may include the following: numbness, tingling sensations, incoordination, headache, dizziness, tremor, nausea, abdominal cramps, sweating, blurred vision, difficulty breathing or respiratory depression, and slow heartbeat. Very high doses may result in unconsciousness, incontinence, and convulsions or fatality. The acute effects of malathion depend on product purity and the route of exposure [33]. Other factors which may influence the observed toxicity of malathion include the amount of protein in the diet and gender. As protein intake decreased, malathion was increasingly toxic to the rats [78]. Malathion has been shown to have different toxicities in male and female rats and humans due to metabolism, storage, and excretion differences between the sexes, with females being much more susceptible than males [79]. Numerous malathion poisoning incidents have occurred among pesticide workers and small children through accidental exposure. In one reported case of malathion poisoning, an infant exhibited severe signs of cholinesterase inhibition after exposure to an aerosol bomb containing 0.5% malathion [44].
Chronic toxicity: Human volunteers fed very low doses of malathion for 1 1/2 months showed no significant effects on blood cholinesterase activity. Rats fed dietary doses of 5 mg/kg/day to 25 mg/kg/day over 2 years showed no symptoms apart from depressed cholinesterase activity. When small amounts of the compound were administered for 8 weeks, rats showed no adverse effects on whole-blood cholinesterase activity [2]. Weanling male rats were twice as susceptible to malathion as adults.
Reproductive effects: Several studies have documented developmental and reproductive effects due to high doses of malathion in test animals [2]. Rats fed high doses of 240 mg/kg/day during pregnancy showed an increased rate of newborn mortality. However, malathion fed to rats at low dosages caused no reproductive effects [8]. It is not likely that malathion will cause reproductive effects in humans under normal circumstances.
Teratogenic effects: Rats fed high doses (240 mg/kg/day) showed no teratogenic effects. Malathion and its metabolites can cross the placenta of the goat and depress cholinesterase activity of the fetus [8]. Chickens fed diets at low doses for 2 years showed no adverse effects on egg hatching [8]. Current evidence indicates that malathion is not teratogenic.
Mutagenic effects: Malathion produced detectable mutations in three different types of cultured human cells, including white blood cells and lymph cells [2,8]. It is not clear what the implications of these results are for humans.
Carcinogenic effects: Female rats on dietary doses of approximately 500 mg/kg/day of malathion for 2 years did not develop tumors [2]. Adrenal tumors developed in the males at low doses, but not at the high doses [80], suggesting that malathion was not the cause. Three of five studies that have investigated the carcinogenicity of malathion have found that the compound does not produce tumors in the test animals. The two other studies have been determined to be unacceptible studies and the results discounted [2,8,80]. Available evidence suggests that malathion is not carcinogenic but the data are not conclusive.
Organ toxicity: The pesticide has been shown in animal testing and from use experience to affect the central nervous system, immune system, adrenal glands, liver, and blood.

Fate in humans and animals: Malathion is rapidly and effectively absorbed by practically all routes including the gastrointestinal tract, skin, mucous membranes, and lungs. Malathion undergoes similar detoxification mechanisms to other organophosphates, but it can also be rendered nontoxic via another simple mechanism, splitting of either of the carboxy ester linkages. Animal studies indicate it is very rapidly eliminated though urine, feces and expired air with a reported half-life of approximately 8 hours in rats and approximately 2 days in cows [2]. Autopsy samples from one individual who had ingested large amounts of malathion showed a substantial portion in the stomach and intestines, a small amount in fat tissue, and no detectable levels in the liver. Malathion requires conversion to malaoxon to become an active anticholinesterase agent. Most of the occupational evidence indicates a low chronic toxicity for malathion. One important exception to this was traced to impurities in the formulation of the pesticide [2].

Ecological Effects:

Effects on birds: Malathion is moderately toxic to birds. The reported acute oral LD50 values are: in mallards, 1485 mg/kg; in pheasants, 167 mg/kg; in blackbirds and starlings, over 100 mg/kg; and in chickens, 525 mg/kg [2,6]. The reported 5- to 8-day dietary LC50 is over 3000 ppm in Japanese quail, mallard, and northern bobwhite, and is 2639 ppm in ring-neck pheasants [6]. Furthermore, 90% of the dose to birds was metabolized and excreted in 24 hours via urine [79].
Effects on aquatic organisms: Malathion has a wide range of toxicities in fish, extending from very highly toxic in the walleye (96-hour LC50 of 0.06 mg/L) to highly toxic in brown trout (0.1 mg/L) and the cutthroat trout (0.28 mg/L), moderately toxic in fathead minnows (8.6 mg/L) and slightly toxic in goldfish (10.7 mg/L) [13,8,16]. Various aquatic invertebrates are extremely sensitive, with EC50 values from 1 ug/L to 1 mg/L [28]. Malathion is highly toxic to aquatic invertebrates and to the aquatic stages of amphibians. Because of its very short half-life, malathion is not expected to bioconcentrate in aquatic organisms. However, brown shrimp showed an average concentration of 869 and 959 times the ambient water concentration in two separate samples [12].
Effects on other organisms: The compound is highly toxic to honeybees [13].

Environmental Fate:

Breakdown in soil and groundwater: Malathion is of low persistence in soil with reported field half-lives of 1 to 25 days [19]. Degradation in soil is rapid and related to the degree of soil binding [12]. Breakdown occurs by a combination of biological degradation and nonbiological reaction with water [12]. If released to the atmosphere, malathion will break down rapidly in sunlight, with a reported half-life in air of about 1.5 days [12]. It is moderately bound to soils, and is soluble in water, so it may pose a risk of groundwater or surface water contamination in situations which may be less conducive to breakdown. The compound was detected in 12 of 3252 different groundwater sources in two different states, and in small concentrations in several wells in California, with a highest concentration of 6.17 ug/L [33].
Breakdown in water: In raw river water, the half-life is less than 1 week, whereas malathion remained stable in distilled water for 3 weeks [12]. Applied at 1 to 6 lb/acre in log ponds for mosquito control, it was effective for 2.5 to 6 weeks [12]. In sterile seawater, the degradation increases with increased salinity. The breakdown products in water are mono- and dicarboxylic acids [12].
Breakdown in vegetation: Residues were found mainly associated with areas of high lipid content in the plant. Increased moisture content increased degradation [33].

Physical Properties:

Appearance: Technical malathion is a clear, amber liquid at room temperature [13].
Chemical Name: diethyl (dimethoxy thiophosphorylthio) succinate [13]
CAS Number: 121-75-5
Molecular Weight: 330.36
Water Solubility: 130 mg/L [13]
Solubility in Other Solvents: v.s. in most organic solvents [13]
Melting Point: 2.85 C [13]
Vapor Pressure: 5.3 mPa @ 30 C [13]
Partition Coefficient: 2.7482 [13]
Adsorption Coefficient: 1800 [19]