Fenoxycarb

Suitable extinguishing media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.

Advice for firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.

ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES: Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures: Avoid dust formation. Avoid breathing vapors, mist or gas. Ensure adequate ventilation. Environmental precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. Do not let product enter drains. Discharge into the environment must be avoided. Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up: Pick up and arrange disposal without creating dust. Sweep up and shovel. Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.

SRP: 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 air, soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations. If it is possible or reasonable use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational harm/injury/toxicity or environmental contamination.

Product: Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company. Contaminated packaging: Dispose of as unused product.

ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES: Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures: Avoid dust formation. Avoid breathing vapors, mist or gas. Ensure adequate ventilation. Environmental precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. Do not let product enter drains. Discharge into the environment must be avoided.

Precautions for safe handling: Further processing of solid materials may result in the formation of combustible dusts. The potential for combustible dust formation should be taken into consideration before additional processing occurs. Provide appropriate exhaust ventilation at places where dust is formed.

Appropriate engineering controls: Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice. Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.

Gloves must be inspected prior to use. Use proper glove removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product. Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices. Wash and dry hands.

For more Preventive Measures (Complete) data for Fenoxycarb (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 171 [Substances (Low to Moderate Hazard)]:

Eye/face protection: Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).

Handle with gloves.

Body Protection: Choose body protection in relation to its type, to the concentration and amount of dangerous substances, and to the specific work-place. The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.

Respiratory protection is not required. Where protection from nuisance levels of dusts are desired, use type N95 (US) or type P1 (EN 143) dust masks. Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).

For more Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (Complete) data for Fenoxycarb (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

If the compound has been ingested, rapid gastric lavage should be performed using 5% sodium bicarbonate. For skin contact, the skin should be washed with soap and water. If the compound has entered the eyes, they should be washed with large quantities of isotonic saline or water. In serious cases, atropine and/or pralidoxime should be administered. Anti-cholinergic drugs work to counteract the effects of excess acetylcholine and reactivate AChE. Atropine can be used as an antidote in conjunction with pralidoxime or other pyridinium oximes (such as trimedoxime or obidoxime), though the use of '-oximes' has been found to be of no benefit, or possibly harmful, in at least two meta-analyses. Atropine is a muscarinic antagonist, and thus blocks the action of acetylcholine peripherally.

Acute exposure to cholinesterase inhibitors can cause a cholinergic crisis characterized by severe nausea/vomiting, salivation, sweating, bradycardia, hypotension, collapse, and convulsions. Increasing muscle weakness is a possibility and may result in death if respiratory muscles are involved. Accumulation of ACh at motor nerves causes overstimulation of nicotinic expression at the neuromuscular junction. When this occurs symptoms such as muscle weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, fasciculation, and paralysis can be seen. When there is an accumulation of ACh at autonomic ganglia this causes overstimulation of nicotinic expression in the sympathetic system. Symptoms associated with this are hypertension, and hypoglycemia. Overstimulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the central nervous system, due to accumulation of ACh, results in anxiety, headache, convulsions, ataxia, depression of respiration and circulation, tremor, general weakness, and potentially coma. When there is expression of muscarinic overstimulation due to excess acetylcholine at muscarinic acetylcholine receptors symptoms of visual disturbances, tightness in chest, wheezing due to bronchoconstriction, increased bronchial secretions, increased salivation, lacrimation, sweating, peristalsis, and urination can occur. Chronically high (>10 years) exposure leads to neuropsychological consequences including disturbances in perception and visuo-motor processing (A15321).

LC50; Species: Colinus virginianus (Northern bobwhite) juvenile; diet 11574 ppm for 8 days[USEPA, Office of Pesticide Programs; Pesticide Ecotoxicity Database (2000) on

LD50; Species: Colinus virginianus (Northern bobwhite) oral >7000 mg/kg[USEPA, Office of Pesticide Programs; Pesticide Ecotoxicity Database (2000) on

LC50; Species: Anas platyrhynchos (Mallard duck) juvenile; diet >20000 ppm for 8 days[USEPA, Office of Pesticide Programs; Pesticide Ecotoxicity Database (2000) on

LD50; Species: Anas platyrhynchos (Mallard duck) adult; oral >3000 mg/kg[USEPA, Office of Pesticide Programs; Pesticide Ecotoxicity Database (2000) on

For more Ecotoxicity Values (Complete) data for Fenoxycarb (17 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 4,800(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that fenoxycarb is expected to have slight mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of fenoxycarb from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 4.3X10-10 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), derived from its vapor pressure, 6.5X10-9 mm Hg(3), and water solubility, 6.00 mg/L(4). Fenoxycarb is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon its vapor pressure(3). An aerobic degradation half-life of 6.7 hours, secondary half-life of 8.2 months, using a sandy loam soil(5) indicates that biodegradation may be an important environmental fate process in soil(SRC).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 4,800(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that fenoxycarb 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 4.3X10-10 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), derived from its vapor pressure, 6.5X10-9 mm Hg(4), and water solubility, 6.0 mg/L(5). According to a classification scheme(6), a BCF of 95(7) suggests that bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is moderate(SRC). An aerobic aquatic metabolism half-life of 3.9 days in water(7) indicates that biodegradation may be an important environmental fate process in water(SRC).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), fenoxycarb, which has a vapor pressure of 6.5X10-9 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist solely in the particulate phase in the ambient atmosphere. Particulate-phase fenoxycarb may be removed from the air by wet or dry deposition(SRC). Fenoxycarb contains chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(3) and, therefore, may be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC).

IDENTIFICATION AND USE: Fenoxycarb forms colorless to white crystals. Fenoxycarb is an O-ethyl carbamate ester derivative insecticide, miticide, insect growth regulator, sex attractant, or feeding stimulant. It is intended to be used to inhibit metamorphosis of juvenile insects to the adult stage. HUMAN STUDIES: Fenoxycarb is a mild eye irritant and is not irritating to the skin. A 31-year-old woman reported symptoms involving fenoxycarb. The symptoms were nausea, lacrimation and dyspnea/shortness of breath with no medical treatment sought. A pesticide incident occurred in 1994, when the product was applied on carpet in a bank. Eighteen workers reported breathing problems, nausea, headache, and sore throat. A pesticide incident occurred in 1995, when an individual was exposed to the product while spreading the chemical by a machine and the wind deposited some of it into his ear. The man reported ear pain and a swollen ear. A pesticide incident occurred in 1996, when a pregnant woman was exposed to the product when a room was treated with it. The woman reported pulmonary irritation. A pesticide incident occurred in 1993, when an individual, who wore gloves, was exposed while the product was applied around the house. The individual reported an allergic reaction including itching, blistering. ANIMAL STUDIES: Non-irritating and non-sensitizing to skin (guinea pig); mild eye irritant (rabbit). In rats fed fenoxycarb increased cholesterol values and histological changes in liver and thyroid were described. No oncogenic effects were observed in rats fed for 104 weeks. In developmental studies in rats relative liver weights increased in females at 600 ppm and in both sexes at 1800 ppm, with focal necrosis in males and hypertrophy in male and female adults at 1800 ppm, about 10% body weight decrements noted in F0 females and F1 male and female adults during growth phase. Fenoxycarb was negative when tested with Salmonella typhimurium in a reverse mutation assay using strains TA1535, TA1537, TA1538, TA97, TA98, TA100, TA102 with and without metabolic activation. ECOTOXICITY STUDIES: The available acute toxicity data indicate that fenoxycarb is practically nontoxic to birds and also practically nontoxic to small mammals. The low exposure concentrations of fenoxycarb, comparable to those used in plant protection, resulted in endocrine disrupted responses in H. gammarus. Treatment with fenoxycarb resulted in the production of male neonates in four species (Moina macrocopa, M. micrura, Ceriodaphnia dubia and C. reticulata) of cladoceran. Fenoxycarb did not cause any changes in thyroid, androgen or estrogen signaling in transgenic Xenopus laevis tadpoles and medaka fry. In 2000, mortality of approximately 100 catfish occurred in a Texas pond following application of fenoxycarb and abamectin adjacent to the pond.

Fenoxycarb is a cholinesterase or acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor. Carbamates form unstable complexes with chlolinesterases by carbamoylation of the active sites of the enzymes. This inhibition is reversible. A cholinesterase inhibitor suppresses the action of acetylcholine esterase. Because of its essential function, chemicals that interfere with the action of acetylcholine esterase are potent neurotoxins, causing excessive salivation and eye-watering in low doses. Headache, salivation, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea are often prominent at higher levels of exposure. Acetylcholine esterase breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is released at nerve and muscle junctions, in order to allow the muscle or organ to relax. The result of acetylcholine esterase inhibition is that acetylcholine builds up and continues to act so that any nerve impulses are continually transmitted and muscle contractions do not stop.

/BIRDS and MAMMALS/ Fenoxycarb (ethyl [2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)-ethyl] carbamate) is an insect growth regulator used for long-term fire ant control. Because of its effects on insect reproduction and its potential use on pasturage consumed by food animals, a reproductive study was conducted using Rambouillet sheep. The sheep were dosed daily with a placebo or with fenoxycarb at 0.69 or 1.38 mg/kg/day, representing ten (10x) and 20 times (20x) the maximum amounts of fenoxycarb in forage or hay treated at recommended levels for fire ant control. Parameters that were measured included rates of weight gain of adults, serum clinical chemistry profiles of adults, spermatozoal morphology and motility, estrus cycling, pregnancy rates, maintenance of pregnancies to term, numbers of live births, and rates of weight gain of lambs to 28 days. There were no statistically significant (P </= 0.05) differences between the exposed and control groups of sheep in any of these facets of the study. No clinical signs associated with exposure to fenoxycarb were observed in any animal at any time, and no exposure-related pattern of pathologic lesions or reproductive organ histology was observed. Means of hepatic fenoxycarb residues in the rams followed a statistically significant (P </= 0.05) dose-related pattern. No fenoxycarb was detected (detection limit of 5 ppb) in any neonatal liver, despite the presence of hepatic fenoxycarb residues in the treated ewes, indicating that transplacental transport of fenoxycarb was minimal. No fenoxycarb was detected in any lamb liver at 28 days, although both the colostrum and the milk of exposed ewes were found to contain fenoxycarb at levels proportional to the treatments. Based on the lack of significant findings in this study, it is unlikely that use of fenoxycarb, according to label instructions (currently applicable to homeowner and registered agricultural usage) for fire ant control in pasturage or hay fields, will affect ruminant reproduction.

/BIRDS and MAMMALS/ The available acute toxicity data ... indicate that fenoxycarb is practically nontoxic to birds (LD50 >3,000 mg/kg; LC50 11,574ppm) /and/ practically nontoxic to small mammals (LD50 >16,800 mg/kg rat).

/AQUATIC SPECIES/ Little attention has been focused on the effect of anthropogenic compounds that disrupt the endocrine systems in crustaceans. Consequently, this study investigated the effects of the juvenile hormone analogue (JHA), Fenoxycarb on selected physiological and developmental processes of the zoeal stages in the European lobster, Homarus gammarus. Chronic exposure to Fenoxycarb (50 ug/L) resulted in a significant (p<0.05) reduction in moult frequency and size at moult. Fenoxycarb exposure extended zoeal duration between zoea I to II (p<0.05) and resulted in total inhibition of the moult from zoea II to III. Significantly greater rates of O2 uptake were observed in Fenoxycarb-exposed larvae in comparison with controls (p<0.05). All rates of O2 uptake decreased significantly between 7 and 12 d of exposure (p<0.05). At 12 d, exposure to the solvent control no longer influenced rates of O2 uptake, but it was not possible to attribute increased O2 uptake to Fenoxycarb exposure directly, as treated individuals did not moult beyond zoea III. The low exposure concentrations of Fenoxycarb, comparable to those used in plant protection, resulted in endocrine disrupted responses in H. gammarus (albeit with little clear, demonstrable effect on metabolism) a finding that could have important ecological and commercial implications.

As with organophosphates, the signs and symptoms are based on excessive cholinergic stimulation. Unlike organophosphate poisoning, carbamate poisonings tend to be of shorter duration because the inhibition of nervous tissue acetylcholinesterase is reversible, and carbamates are more rapidly metabolized. Muscle weakness, dizziness, sweating and slight body discomfort are commonly reported early symptoms. Headache, salivation, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea are often prominent at higher levels of exposure. Contraction of the pupils with blurred vision, incoordination, muscle twitching and slurred speech have been reported. (L795)

EPA has released the Interactive Chemical Safety for Sustainability (iCSS) Dashboard. The iCSS Dashboard provides an interactive tool to explore rapid, automated (or in vitro high-throughput) chemical screening data generated by the Toxicity Forecaster (ToxCast) project and the federal Toxicity Testing in the 21st century (Tox21) collaboration. /The title compound was tested by ToxCast and/or Tox21 assays/[USEPA; ICSS Dashboard Application; Available from, as of August 9, 2018: http://actor.epa.gov/dashboard/]

Using a structure estimation method based on molecular connectivity indices(1), the Koc of fenoxycarb can be estimated to be 4,800(SRC). According to a classification scheme(2), this estimated Koc value suggests that fenoxycarb is expected to have slight mobility in soil(SRC).

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ Fenoxycarb/ is a mild eye irritant and is not irritating to the skin.

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Sentinel Event Notification System for Occupational Risks (NIOSH/SENSOR) performs standardized surveillance in twelve states from 1998 through 2006. ... Out of 5,899 reported cases from 1998 to 2003, there is only one case reported in the SENSOR database involving Fenoxycarb. A 31-year-old woman reported symptoms in Texas. The symptoms were nausea, lacrimation and dyspnea/shortness of breath with no medical treatment sought.

/CASE REPORTS/ OPP Incident Data System (IDS) This database includes reports of incidents from various sources, including mandatory Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Section 6 (a) (2) reports from registrants, other federal and state health and environmental agencies and individual consumers. The IDS has been in existence since 1992. Reports submitted to the Incident Data System represent anecdotal reports or allegations only, unless otherwise stated in this report. ... The cases below provide a sense of symptoms and circumstances where exposures were reported to IDS. ... Incident#994-1. A pesticide incident occurred in 1994, when the product was applied on carpet in a bank. Eighteen workers reported breathing problems, nausea, headache, and sore throat. The workers were treated by a physician. No further information on the disposition of the case was reported.

/CASE REPORTS/ ...A pesticide incident occurred in 1996, when a pest control operator was sprayed in the face with the product when a hose burst. The operator immediately turned off the pressure and little was released. He rinsed himself off, including his eyes, and used an absorbent material to clean up the spill. Specific symptoms were not mentioned. No further information on the disposition of the case was reported.

For more Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for Fenoxycarb (16 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

The Agency does not expect the current risks associated with fenoxycarb use to differ from those identified during the fenoxycarb reregistration process. The existing stocks sales and distribution deadlines included in the December 30, 2010 cancellation order ensure that fenoxycarb sale, distribution, and use will decline and eventually cease entirely in the United States in the future. During the interim period, the Agency believes that existing stocks of fenoxycarb products may be used until depleted without causing unreasonable risk to human health and the environment. Pursuant to 40 CFR section 155.57 and 155.58, the Agency is issuing the Registration Review Final Decision, thus concluding the fenoxycarb registration review, for the reasons discussed above. The affected product registrations are subject to the terms and conditions of the December 30, 2010 cancellation order.

New Active Ingredients ... includes pesticide active ingredients initially registered after November 1, 1984, that currently have active product registrations. By law, these newer pesticides are not subject to the reregistration program. They must, however, meet the new safety standard of the FQPA, and will be reviewed on a 15-year cycle under the registration review program. ... Fenoxycarb is included on this list. Active Ingredient Number: 125301; Type of Pesticide: Conventional - Insecticide; Use Site: Food use, ornamentals, turf, pets; Year: 1985.