Pirimiphos-ethyl (ISO)

Biological Exposure Indices (BEI) [ACGIH] - Acetylcholinesterase activity in red blood cells = 70% of individual's baseline; Butylcholinesterase activity in serum or plasma = 60% of individual's baseline; Sample at end of shift; [TLVs and BEIs]

If material on fire or involved in fire: Do not extinguish fire unless flow can be stopped. Solid streams of water may be ineffective. Cool all affected containers with flooding quantities of water. Apply water from as far a distance as possible. Use "alcohol" foam, carbon dioxide or dry chemical. /Organophosphorus pesticides, liquid, NOS/

If material on fire or involved in fire: Extinguish fire using agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. (Material itself does not burn or burns with difficulty.) Use water in flooding quantities as fog. Use "alcohol" foam, carbon dioxide or dry chemical. /Organophosphorus pesticides, solid, NOS/

Pesticides of any degree of toxicity should be transported in containers which are ... leak-proof & not easily damaged. /Pesticides/

Rooms used for storage only should be soundly constructed & fitted with secure locks. Floors should be kept clear & pesticides clearly identified. If repacking is carred out in storage rooms, adequate light should be available; floors should be impervious & sound ... /Pesticides/

Pesticides containers must be provided with labels indicating the degree of toxicity of the product they contain. The labels must not only give a short description of how to use the prepn, but also state basis precautions to be taken when applying it. /Organophosphorus pesticides/

SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational harm/injury/toxicity or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.

Concentrates of pirimiphos-ethyl should be first diluted and then treated by alkalis.

SRP: Wastewater from contaminant suppression, cleaning of protective clothing/equipment, or contaminated sites should be contained and evaluated for subject chemical or decomposition product concentrations. Concentrations shall be lower than applicable environmental discharge or disposal criteria. Alternatively, pretreatment and/or discharge to a permitted wastewater treatment facility is acceptable only after review by the governing authority and assurance that "pass through" violations will not occur. Due consideration shall be given to remediation worker exposure (inhalation, dermal and ingestion) as well as fate during treatment, transfer and disposal. If it is not practicable to manage the chemical in this fashion, it must be evaluated in accordance with EPA 40 CFR Part 261, specifically Subpart B, in order to determine the appropriate local, state and federal requirements for disposal.

If material not on fire and not involved in fire: Keep sparks, flames, and other sources of ignition away. Keep material out of water sources and sewers. Build dikes to contain flow as necessary. Use water spray to knock-down vapors. /Organophosphorus pesticides, liquid, NOS/

Personnel protection: Keep upwind. Wear appropriate chemical protective gloves, boots and goggles. Do not handle broken packages unless wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus when fighting fires involving this material. /Organophosphorus pesticides, liquid, NOS/

If material not on fire and not involved in fire: Keep sparks, flames, and othersources of ignition away. Keep material out of water sources and sewers. /Organophosphorus pesticides, solid, NOS/

Personnel protection: Avoid breathing dusts, and fumes from burning material. Keep upwind. Avoid bodily contact with the material. Wear appropriate chemical protective gloves, boots and goggles. Do not handle broken packages unless wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. Wash away any material which may have contacted the body with copious amounts of water or soap and water. Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus when fighting fires involving this material. If contact with the material anticipated, wear appropriate protective clothing. /Organophosphorus pesticides, solid, NOS/

For more Preventive Measures (Complete) data for PIRIMIPHOS-ETHYL (10 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

2.3 [mg/m3]

25 [mg/m3]

28 [mg/m3]

For emergency situations, wear a positive pressure, pressure-demand, full facepiece self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or pressure- demand supplied air respirator with escape SCBA and a fully-encapsulating, chemical resistant suit. (EPA, 1998)

Workers ... must be given personal protective equipment comprising overalls made of a tight fabric or polyvinyl chloride, gloves & rubber boots. They must wear a respirator with an activated-carbon gas filter cartridge affording protection for a determined number of hours. The eyes should be protected by goggles. /Organophosphorus pesticides/

Skin decontamination ... In patients ... Attendants should wear rubber gloves as vinyl provides no protection against skin absorption. /Organophosphate pesticides/

LD50; Species: Anas platyrhynchos (Mallard duck) oral 2.5 mg/kg

LD50; Species: Colinus virginianus (Bobwhite quail) oral 10-20 mg/kg

LC50; Species: /Cyprinus carpio/ (Common carp); Concentration: 0.22 mg/kg for 96 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/

LC50; Species: /Salmo trutta/ (Brown trout); Concentration: 0.02 mg/L for 96 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), estimated Koc values of 300 to 64,925(2), indicate that pirimiphos-ethyl is expected to have moderate to no mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of pirimiphos-ethyl from moist soil surfaces is expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 5.5X10-5 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), based upon its vapor pressure, 2.9X10-4 mm Hg(3), and water solubility, 2.3 mg/L(3). However, adsorption to soil is expected to attenuate volatilization(SRC). Pirimiphos-ethyl is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon its vapor pressure(3). Biodegradation of pirimiphos-ethyl in soil may be important based on reported aerobic half-lives of 21-70 days at pH 6.0-7.5 with organic matter of 1.8-6.3%(3).

TERRESTRIAL FATE: When applied in September pirimiphos-ethyl persisted for a longer period than when applied in May(1). Degradation was slower while the mean soil temperature at 100 mm depth remained below 6-7 °C. Rising soil temperature in the spring rapidly increased the degradation of pirimiphos-ethyl residues(1). However, in another field study, pirimiphos-ethyl did not rapidly degrade following repeated field applications(2).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), estimated Koc values of 300 to 64,925(2), indicate that pirimiphos-ethyl is expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is not expected(3) based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 5.5X10-5 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), derived from its vapor pressure, 2.9X10-4 mm Hg(4), and water solubility, 2.3 mg/L(4). Using this Henry's Law constant and an estimation method(3), volatilization half-lives for a model river and model lake are 1.4 and 16 days, respectively(SRC). However, volatilization from water surfaces is expected to be attenuated by adsorption to suspended solids and sediment in the water column. The estimated volatilization half-life from a model pond is 30 days to 114 months if adsorption is considered(5). According to a classification scheme(6), an estimated BCF of 925(SRC), from its log Kow of 5.0(4) and a regression-derived equation(7), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is high(SRC). Pirimiphos-ethyl is hydrolyzed by acid and base giving a degradation half-life of 52-1200 days at 25 °C and pH range of 5.5-8.5(4). Pirimiphos-ethyl is most stable at pH 7-8(4). Pirimiphos-ethyl may biodegrade in water based on reported aerobic half-lives in soil of 21-70 days at pH 6.0-7.5 with organic matter of 1.8-6.3%(4).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), pirimiphos-ethyl, which has a vapor pressure of 2.9X10-4 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), will exist in both the vapor and particulate phases in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase pirimiphos-ethyl is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 2 hours(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 1.9X10-10 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) that was derived using a structure estimation method(3). Particulate-phase pirimofos-ethyl may be removed from the air by wet or dry deposition(SRC). Pirimiphos-ethyl contains chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(4) and, therefore, may be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC).

Pirimiphos-ethyl was detected in pesticide residue studies by the FDA in foods for the years 1983-1986 (unreported concentrations)(1). In a 1995 monitoring program in Egypt pirimiphos-ethyl was not detected in cauliflower, carrot, courgette, cucumber, eggplant, green beans, green peas, lettuce, onion, pepper, tomato, apple, cantaloupe, grape, guava, mango, peach or strawberry samples(2). Pirimiphos-ethyl was detected in 1 of 5 cabbage samples at 0.32 mg/kg in the same 1995 monitoring program(2). In a 1996 monitoring program in Egypt pirimiphos-ethyl was not detected in any of the samples (cabbage, grape leaf, lettuce, melokhia, spinach, watercress, artichoke, broad bean, cauliflower, cantaloupe, cucumber, eggplant, green beans, green peas, okra, onion, pepper, squash, tomato, carrot, sweet potato, taro, apple, apricot, banana, dates, fig, grape, guava, lemon lime, mango, peach, pear, plum, strawberry)(3). Pirimiphos-ethyl was not detected in cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, chicory, cucumber, leek, lemon, lettuce, pumpkin, spinach, tangerine, tomatoes, apples, gooseberry or pear, but was detected in oranges at a concentration of <10 ug/kg in Greece between March and April 1998(4). Pirimiphos-ethyl was not detected in grapefruit, lemon, mandarin/clementine, orange, apple, pear, quince, apricot, cherries, peach, nectarine, plum, grape, strawberry, blackberry, hip, boysenberry, elderberry, raspberry, rowanberry, bilberry, red and black current, gooseberry, banana, fig, kiwi, pomegranate, beetroot, carrot, celeriac, horseradish, parsnip, parsley root, radish, garlic, onion, spring onion, tomato, pepper, eggplant, cucumber, melon, watermelon, squash, sweet corn, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprout, white, red, spring, Oxheart or Chinese cabbage, kale, lettuce, spinach, chive, dill, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rosemary, thyme, bean, pea, celery, leek, rhubarb, mushroom, sunflower seed or potato in the 1995-1996 Danish national pesticide monitoring program(5).

Workers handling & applying pesticides must undergo an annual medical examination at the beginning of each agricultural season. /Medical conditions of concern/ for work with OPP /organophosphorus pesticides/ are organic diseases of the central nervous system, mental disorders & epilepsy, pronounced endocrine & vegetative disorders, pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchial asthma, chronic respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases & circulatory disorders, gastrointestinal diseases (peptic ulcer), gastroenterocolitis, diseases of liver & kidneys, eye diseases (chronic conjunctivitis & keratitis). The blood cholinesterase activity must be determined before work starts. In the event of prolonged work periods, this activity should be determined at intervals of 3-4 days. Persons exhibiting a fall in cholinesterase activity of 25% or more must be transferred to other work where they are not exposed to OPP until this activity is completely restored. Persons with initial signs of indisposition should cease work with pesticides. /Organophosphorus pesticides/

Using a structure estimation method based on molecular connectivity indices(1), the Koc of pirimiphos-ethyl can be estimated to be 1240(SRC). Other calculated Koc values reported are 300, 25,893 and 64,925(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this Koc value range suggests that pirimiphos-ethyl is expected to have moderate to no mobility in soil.

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ The symptoms of chronic poisoning due to organophosphorus pesticides include headache, weakness, feeling of heaviness in head, decline of memory, quick onset of fatigue, disturbed sleep, loss of appetite, & loss of orientation. Psychic disorders, nystagmus, trembling of the hands & other nervous system disorders can be observed in certain cases. Sometimes neuritis, paresis & paralysis develop. /Organophosphorus pesticides/

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ Nausea is often the first symptom, followed by vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and excessive salivation (sialorrhea). Hypothermia has been reported in animals and at least once in man as an early sign. Headache, giddiness, vertigo, and weakness. Rhinorrhea and a sensation of tightness in the chest are common in inhalation exposures. Blurring or dimness of vision, miosis (with fixed pinpoint pupils), tearing, ciliary muscle spasm, loss of accommodation, and ocular pain. None of these eye effects are diagnostically dependable except in primary ocular exposures. Indeed, mydriasis is sometimes seen, probably due to sympatho-adrenal discharge. Bradycardia or tachycardia. Varying degrees of arterial/venous heart block are described, as well as atrial arrhythmias. Loss of muscle coordination, slurring of speech, fasciculations and twitching of muscles (particularly of the tongue and eyelids), and generalized profound weakness. Mental confusion, disorientation, and drowsiness. Difficulty in breathing, excessive secretion of saliva and of respiratory tract mucus, oronasal frothing, cyanosis, pulmonary rales and rhonchi, and hypertension presumably due to asphyxia). Random jerky movements, incontinence, convulsions and coma. Death primarily due to respiratory arrest arising from failure of the respiratory muscles, intense bronchoconstriction, or all three. /Parathion; reference congener/

/GENOTOXICITY/ Lymphocytes obtained from 5 healthy donors were incubated with a mixture of 15 pesticides commonly found in foods of central Italy (dithiocarbamates (20.7%), benomyl (19.6%), thiabendazole (14.9%), diphenylamine (14.4%), chlorothalonil (13.1%), procymidone (8.0%), methidathion (2.3%), chlorpyrifos-ethyl (2%), fenarimol (1.9%), parathion-methyl (1%), chlorpropham, parathion, vinchlozolin, chlorfenvinphos and pirimiphos-ethyl (< 1%)). The percent of each pesticide in the mixture was proportional to its average concentration in foods. Incubated with the lymphocytes at a concentration of 1-20 mug/ml the pesticide mixture did not induce significant variations in the number of hypodiploid, hyperdiploid and polyploid cells or in the number of chromosome and chromatid aberrations. On the contrary, /investigators/ observed a dose-dependent increase in the number of nonsynchronous centromeric separations which reached the level of 37.9% at 20 mug/mL of pesticide mixture in the incubation media.

An estimated BCF of 925 was calculated in fish for pirimiphos-ethyl(SRC), using a log Kow of 5.0(1) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this BCF suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is high(SRC), provided the compound is not metabolized by the organism(SRC).

The Henry's Law constant for pirimiphos-ethyl is estimated as 5.5X10-5 atm-cu m/mole(SRC) derived from its vapor pressure, 2.9X10-4 mm Hg(1), and water solubility, 2.3 mg/L(1). This Henry's Law constant indicates that pirimiphos-ethyl is expected to volatilize from water surfaces(2). Based on this Henry's Law constant, the volatilization half-life from a model river (1 m deep, flowing 1 m/sec, wind velocity of 3 m/sec)(2) is estimated as 1.4 days(SRC). The volatilization half-life from a model lake (1 m deep, flowing 0.05 m/sec, wind velocity of 0.5 m/sec)(2) is estimated as 16 days(SRC). Pirimiphos-ethyl's estimated Henry's Law constant indicates that volatilization from moist soil surfaces may occur(SRC). However, volatilization from water surfaces is expected to be attenuated by adsorption to suspended solids and sediment in the water column. The estimated volatilization half-life from a model pond is 30 days to 114 months if adsorption is considered(3). Pirimiphos-ethyl is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon its vapor pressure(1).

As the federal pesticide law FIFRA directs, EPA is conducting a comprehensive review of older pesticides to consider their health and environmental effects and make decisions about their continued use. Under this pesticide reregistration program, EPA examines newer health and safety data for pesticide active ingredients initially registered before November 1, 1984, and determines whether the use of the pesticide does not pose unreasonable risk in accordance to newer saftey standards, such as those described in the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996. Pesticides for which EPA had not issued Registration Standards prior to the effective date of FIFRA '88 were divided into three lists based upon their potential for human exposure and other factors, with List B containing pesticides of greater concern than those on List C, and with List C containing pesticides of greater concern than those on List D. Pirimiphos-ethyl is found on List B. Case No: 2530; Pesticide type: insecticide; Case Status: No products containing the pesticide are actively registered. Therefore, we are characterizing the case as "cancelled." Under FIFRA, pesticide producers may voluntarily cancel their registered products. EPA also may cancel pesticide registrations if registrants fail to pay required fees or make/meet certain reregistration commitments, or if EPA reaches findings of unreasonable adverse effects.; Active ingredient (AI): O-[2-(Diethylamino)-6-methyl-4-pyrimidinyl] O,O-diethyl phosphorothioate; AI Status: The active ingredient is no longer contained in any registered pesticide products ... "cancelled."

Releases of CERCLA hazardous substances are subject to the release reporting requirement of CERCLA section 103, codified at 40 CFR part 302, in addition to the requirements of 40 CFR part 355. Pirimifos-ethyl is an extremely hazardous substance (EHS) subject to reporting requirements when stored in amounts in excess of its threshold planning quantity (TPQ) of 1,000 lbs.