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Parathion - Identification, toxicity, use, water pollution potential, ecological toxicity and regulatory information

Note: See Working with the Information on this Page section below for important notes about this data.

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Chemical ID
 Identifying information, including synonyms, ID numbers, use type, chemical classification, a link to a list of all products containing this chemical and a list of the top crops this pesticide is used on in California.
Poisoning Symptoms
 Signs and symptoms of poisoning, first aid, and links to treatment information for this chemical.
Toxicity
 Link to information on toxicity to humans, including carcinogenicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, and acute toxicity.
Regulatory
 Links to world-wide registration status as well as regulatory information for the U.S. and California.
Water
 Water quality standards and physical properties affecting water contamination potential.
Ecotoxicity
 Toxicity to aquatic organisms.
Related Chems
 List of chemicals in the same family, including breakdown products, salts, esters, isomers, and other derivatives.
 

Chemical Identification and Use for Parathion
Basic Identification Information About This Chemical
Chemical Name: Parathion
CAS Number: 56-38-2
U.S. EPA PC Code: 057501
057503 (Old US EPA PC Code)
057401 (Old US EPA PC Code)
CA DPR Chem Code: 459
Molecular Weight: 291.258
Use Type: Insecticide
Chem Class: Organophosphorus
View Related Chemicals
 
Additional Resources About This Chemical Class and Use Type

See the Global Pesticide Resources page for many additional links.
Historical Use of this Chemical
Top five crops and sites for this pesticide in California
Strawberries   Wine Grapes   Lemons   Celery   Swiss Chard  
View All Crops and Sites
 
Other Names for this Chemical
About Chemical Synonyms
00459 (CA DPR Chem Code Text) , 00459 (CA DPR Chem Code) , 057401 (old EPA PC Code, Use code no. 057501) , 057401 (Old US EPA PC Code) , 057401 (US EPA PC Code Text) , 057501 (US EPA PC Code Text) , 057503 (US EPA PC Code Text) , 065 (PDP Code) , 459 (CA DPR Chem Code) , 459 (CA DPR Chem Code) , 56-38-2 (CAS number) , 56382 , 56382 (CAS number without hyphens) , 57401 (US EPA PC Code) , 57501 (US EPA PC Code) , 57503 (US EPA PC Code) , AC 3422 , Alkron , Alleron , Aphamite , Bay E-605 , Bladan , Corothion , Diethyl 4-nitrophenyl phosphorothionate , Diethyl p-nitrophenyl monothiophosphate , Diethyl p-nitrophenyl thionophosphate , DNTP , Drexel parathion 8E , ENT 15108 , Ethyl parathion , Folidol E-605 , Fosferno 50 , Niran , O,O-Diethyl O-(4-nitrophenyl)phosphorothioate , O,O-Diethyl O-p-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate , Orthophos , Panthion , Paramar , Paraphos , Parathene , Parathion , Parathion , Parathion (all formulations - aerosols, dustable powder (DP), emulsifiable concentrate (EC), granules (GR) and wettable powders , Parathion (ANSI) , Parathion (Ethyl parathion) , Parathion (ethyl) , Parathion ethyl , Parathion ethyl , Parathion [Phosphorothioic acid, O,O-diethyl-O-(4-nitrophenyl) ester] , Parathion, parathion-ethyl , parathion-ethyl , Penncap E , Phosphorothioic acid, O,O-diethyl O-(4-nitrophenyl) ester , Phosphorothioic acid, O,O-diethyl O-(p-nitrophenyl) ester , Soprathion , Thiophos , Use code no. 057501 , Use PC Code 057501
 
Products Containing This Chemical
Current and historic U.S. registered products
View U.S. Products All Products Currently Registered Products
 

Signs and Symptoms of Parathion Poisoning

NOTE! There may be other diseases and chemicals that have similar symptoms.

If you have a poisoning emergency in the United States call 1-800-222-1222.
If the victim has collapsed or is unconscious, call 911.

Parathion is a Organophosphorus compound.

Report a Poisoning
Symptoms of Poisoning with Organophosphorus Compounds
Find Products Containing this Chemical

- Excessive salivation, sweating, rhinorrhea and tearing.
- Muscle twitching, weakness, tremor, incoordination.
- Headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea.
- Respiratory depression, tightness in chest, wheezing, productive cough, fluid in lungs.
- Pin-point pupils, sometimes with blurred or dark vision.
- Severe cases: seizures, incontinence, respiratory depression, loss of consciousness.
- Cholinesterase inhibition.

Source for Group Symptoms: Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisoning, 5th edition, U.S. EPA, Chapter 4.
Treatment for Organophosphorus Poisoning

See: Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisoning, 5th edition, U.S. EPA, Chapter 4, page 40.

 
Symptoms of Parathion Exposure from the International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSC)

Report a Poisoning
View full ICSC Cards: English   Español   Française   Chinese   Dutch   Finnish   German   Hungarian   Japanese   Swahili   Thai   Urdu  
NOTE! PREVENT GENERATION OF MISTS! STRICT HYGIENE! AVOID EXPOSURE OF ADOLESCENTS AND CHILDREN!
 General First Aid: IN ALL CASES CONSULT A DOCTOR!

Route of Exposure

Symptoms

First Aid
Inhalation Convulsions. Diarrhoea. Dizziness. Headache. Sweating. Laboured breathing. Nausea. Unconsciousness. Vomiting. Weakness. Pupillary constriction muscle cramp excessive salivation. Wheezing. Fresh air rest. Artificial respiration if indicated. Refer for medical attention.
Skin MAY BE ABSORBED! (Further see Inhalation). Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse and then wash skin with water and soap. Refer for medical attention.
Eyes VAPOUR WILL BE ABSORBED! Redness. Pain. Blurred vision. First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible) then take to a doctor.
Ingestion Abdominal cramps. Diarrhoea. Vomiting. (Further see Inhalation). Give a slurry of activated charcoal in water to drink. Induce vomiting (ONLY IN CONSCIOUS PERSONS!). Refer for medical attention.
Notes for ICSC Information
Depending on the degree of exposure periodic medical examination is indicated. Specific treatment is necessary in case of poisoning with this substance; the appropriate means with instructions must be available. If the substance is formulated with solvents also consult the ICSCs of these materials. Carrier solvents used in commercial formulations may change physical and toxicological properties. The odour warning when the exposure limit value is exceeded is insufficient. Do NOT take working clothes home.
 

Toxicity Information for Parathion

  Note: Information for many chemicals is incomplete and may not be fully representative of effects on humans. Why?

Summary Toxicity Information

PAN Bad Actor
Chemical 1 		Acute
Toxicity 2 		Carcinogen Cholinesterase
Inhibitor 		Ground
Water Contaminant 		Developmental or
Reproductive Toxin 		Endocrine
Disruptor
Possible
Potential
Suspected
 
Indicates high toxicity in the given toxicological category. Indicates no available weight-of-the-evidence summary assessment. For additional information on toxicity from scientific journals or registration documents, see the "Additional Resources for Toxicity " section of the chemical detail page.
1. PAN Bad Actors are chemicals that are one or more of the following: highly acutely toxic, cholinesterase inhibitor, known/probable carcinogen, known groundwater pollutant or known reproductive or developmental toxicant. NOTE! Because there are no authoritative lists of Endocrine Disrupting (ED) chemicals, EDs are not yet considered PAN Bad Actor chemicals.
2. The acute toxicity reported on this page is of the pure chemical ingredient only and may not reflect the acute toxicity of individual pesticide products. To view acute toxicity of individual products, click on 'View Products' link in the 'Chemical Identification' section above.

Additional Resources about the Toxicity of this Chemical

See the Global Pesticide Resources page for many additional links.

Detailed Toxicity Information
Acute Toxicity 2
 Parathion
WHO Acute Hazard
TRI Acute Hazard
Material Safety Data Sheets
Acute rating from U.S. EPA product label
U.S. NTP Acute Toxicity Studies
      View Studies
Cholinesterase Inhibitor		 Ia, Extremely Hazardous
Not Listed
Not Available
Highly Toxic
Moderately to Highly Toxic

Yes
2. The acute toxicity reported on this page is of the pure chemical ingredient only and may not reflect the acute toxicity of individual pesticide products. To view acute toxicity of individual products, click on 'View Products' link in the 'Chemical Identification' section above.
 
Cancer Information
 Parathion
IARC Carcinogens
U.S. NTP Carcinogens
California Prop 65 Known Carcinogens
U.S. EPA Carcinogens
TRI Carcinogen		 3, Unclassifiable
Not Listed
Not Listed
C, Possible
Not Listed
 
Endocrine Disruption
 Parathion
Illinois EPA list
Keith list
Colborn list
Benbrook list
Danish Inert list
EU list		 Probable
Yes
Yes
Yes
Not listed
Yes
 
Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity
 Parathion
CA Prop 65 Developmental Toxin
U.S. TRI Developmental Toxin
CA Prop 65 Female Reproductive Toxin
CA Prop 65 Male Reproductive Toxin
U.S. TRI Reproductive Toxin 		Not Listed
Not Listed
Not Listed
Not Listed
Not Listed
 
Chemicals of Special Concern
 Parathion
PAN Bad Actors
PAN Dirty Dozen list		 Yes
Yes
 

Water Pollution Potential and Criteria for Parathion

Water Pollution Potential

PAN Ground Water Contaminant Rating Potential
 
Physical Property Data Related to Water Contamination Potential
Water Solubility (Avg, mg/L)
Adsorption Coefficient (Koc)
Hydrolysis Half-life (Avg, Days)
Aerobic Soil Half-life (Avg, Days)
Anaerobic Soil Half-life (Avg, Days) 		13.0
1,610
302.0
-
- 		 
 

Water Standards and Criteria
Canada Drinking Water Standards and Criteria
 µg/L unless noted  
Maximum Acceptable Concentration (MAC) 50.0
Interim Maximum Acceptable Concentration (IMAC)
Aesthetic Objectives
WHO Water Quality Criteria
Description Occurs in drinking-water at concentrations well below those at which toxic effects may occur
Notes Notes: n
 

Regulatory Information for Parathion

International Regulatory Status
Registration in Selected Countries Registration in Selected Countries:
Parathion
 
UNEP Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP)
UNEP Prior Informed Consent Chemical (PIC)
WHO Obsolete Pesticide
Yes
Not Listed
 

U.S. and California Regulatory Status
U.S. EPA Registered
U.S. EPA Hazardous Air Pollutant
U.S. EPA Minimum Risk Pesticide (25b list)

CA Registered
CA Groundwater Contaminant
CA Toxic Air Contaminant 		No
Yes
No

No
Potential
TAC
 

Maximum Tolerance and Residue Levels
Codex Alimentarius
   (UN FAO Maximum Residue Limits)
U.S. Maximum Tolerance Levels
European Union Maximum Residue Levels 		Go to web site

Go to web site
Go to web site
 

Ecotoxicity for Parathion

Note! Information for many chemicals is incomplete and may not be fully representative of effects on the environment. Why? Click on underlined terms for definitions and additional information.

Aquatic Ecotoxicity
All Toxic Effects for Organism Group
Organism Group Effects Noted
Amphibians Accumulation, Enzyme(s), Mortality
Annelida Behavior, Enzyme(s), Histology, Intoxication, Mortality, Population
AquaticPlants Accumulation, Enzyme(s), Histology
Crustaceans Behavior, Development, Genetics, Mortality, No Effect Coded, Physiology, Reproduction
Echinoderms Development, Reproduction
Fish Accumulation, Behavior, Biochemistry, Cell(s), Development, Enzyme(s), Feeding Behavior, Growth, Histology, Intoxication, Morphology, Mortality, No Effect Coded, Physiology, Population, Reproduction
Insects Accumulation, Behavior, Development, Enzyme(s), Growth, Intoxication, Mortality, Population, Reproduction
Molluscs Accumulation, Behavior, Development, Enzyme(s), Growth, Histology, Intoxication, Morphology, Mortality
NematodesandFlatworms Intoxication, Mortality, Population
Phytoplankton Accumulation, Behavior, Biochemistry, Cell(s), Enzyme(s), Histology, Mortality, Physiology, Population, Reproduction
TerrestrialPlants Accumulation
Zooplankton Accumulation, Behavior, Biochemistry, Enzyme(s), Feeding Behavior, Growth, Histology, Intoxication, Mortality, No Effect Coded, Physiology, Population, Reproduction
~ Un-Assigned Accumulation, Mortality
View All Aquatic Ecotoxicity Studies and References
 
Summary of Acute Toxicity for Organism Group
Organism Group Average Acute Toxicity Acute Toxicity Range
Amphibians Moderately Toxic Slight to Moderate Toxicity
Annelida Moderately Toxic Moderate to High Toxicity
Crustaceans Highly Toxic Moderate to Very High Toxicity
Fish Moderately Toxic Moderate to Very High Toxicity
Insects Very Highly Toxic Very Highly Toxic
Molluscs Slightly Toxic Slight to Moderate Toxicity
NematodesandFlatworms Highly Toxic Highly Toxic
Zooplankton Highly Toxic Moderate to Very High Toxicity
~ Un-Assigned Highly Toxic Moderate to Very High Toxicity
View All Acute Summaries
 

Terrestrial Ecotoxicity
Summary of Acute Toxicity for Organism Group
Organism Group Average Acute Toxicity Acute Toxicity Range
HoneybeesHighly ToxicHighly Toxic
Note: Population-level effects on honeybees may occur even if a pesticide has low acute toxicity. For example, certain pesticides interfere with honeybee reproduction, ability to navigate, or temperature regulation, any of which can have an effect on long-term survival of honeybee colonies. The neonicotinoids, pyrethroids and keto-enol pesticides are some types of pesticides causing one or more of these effects.
Honeybee Chronic Toxicity

Sorry, no honeybee chronic toxicity data available for this chemical. Try related chemicals.

Related Chemicals for Parathion
CAS Number Relation Reason Chemical Name Chem Detail Registration Symptoms California Use Chem Use Type U.S. EPA Reg PAN Bad Actor
56-38-2 Parent P Parathion View View View View Insecticide No Yes
311-45-5 Related 5b Paraoxon View View View View Breakdown product No Yes
Related 8 Parathion, other related View View View View Insecticide, Nematicide No Yes
 
Working with the Information on this Page

Click on underlined terms for definitions or go to the Pesticide Tutorial overview page.

Any underlined term with a book icon has additional information.

* Data marked with an asterisk indicates that this chemical is not explicitly listed on the corresponding list. Instead, it belongs to a group of chemicals that IS designated on the list. For example, if an agency assigns a classification of reproductive toxicant to "mercury compounds", that classification is applied to all mercury compounds in the PAN Pesticide database, which are then marked with an asterisk.

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Citation: Kegley, S.E., Hill, B.R., Orme S., Choi A.H., PAN Pesticide Database, Pesticide Action Network, North America (San Francisco, CA, 2010), http:www.pesticideinfo.org.
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