Chemical Properties
Fonofos is a highly toxic compound. It is sparingly soluble in water, but soluble in acetone, ethanol, xylene, and kerosene. It has been grouped by the US EPA under RUP and hence requires special handling by qualifi ed, certifi ed, and trained workers. Fonofos was used as a soil insecticide, which resulted in its direct release to the environment. It was primarily used on corn crops, sugar cane, peanuts, tobacco, turf, and some vegetable crops. It controls aphids, corn borer, corn root-worm, corn wire-worm, cutworms, white grubs, and some maggots. Formulations of fonofos include granular, microgranular, emulsifi able concentrate, suspension concentrate, microcapsule suspension, and for seed treatment
General Description
Light-yellow liquid with a pungent mercaptan-like odor. Used primarily as an insecticide for corn.
Air & Water Reactions
Very slightly soluble in water.
Reactivity Profile
Organothiophosphates, such as FONOFOS, are susceptible to formation of highly toxic and flammable phosphine gas in the presence of strong reducing agents such as hydrides. Partial oxidation by oxidizing agents may result in the release of toxic phosphorus oxides. It is sparingly soluble in water but soluble in acetone, ethanol, xylene, and kerosene.
Fire Hazard
When FONOFOS is heated to decomposition, FONOFOS can emit highly toxic fumes of phosphorus oxides.
Hazard
Cholinesterase inhibitor.
Health Hazard
Fonofos is highly toxic like many other organophosphate pesticides to humans and animals. Exposure to fonofos induces clinical signs of toxicity with typical symptoms of poisoning and cholinesterase inhibition. Accidental ingestion of fonofos by occupational workers results in signs and symptoms of acute intoxication, including muscarinic, nicotinic, and CNS manifestations. Symptoms of fonofos poisoning is a delayed process and occur within a few minutes to 12 h after exposure. Early symptoms of poisoning include, but are not limited to, blurred vision, pinpoint pupils, headache, dizziness, depression, tremors, salivation, diarrhea, and labored breathing. Skin absorption of fonofos causes sweating and muscle twitching, while eye contact leads to severe tearing, pain, and blurred vision. Prolonged exposures to high concentrations of fonofos lead to respiratory failure and death. There are no reports indicating that fonophos is mutagenic, teratogenic, or carcinogenic in animals and humans. Fonofos registration was cancelled in 1999, therefore, it is not considered an environmental contaminant of concern at the present time.
Potential Exposure
A potential danger to those involved
in the manufacture, formulation and application of this soil
insecticide which is used for control of corn rootworms,
wireworms, cutworms, symphylins, and other soil pests.
Incompatibilities: Strong acids, alkalies.
First aid
If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove any
contact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least
15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek
medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts the
skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediately
with soap and water. Speed in removing material from skin
is of extreme importance. Shampoo hair promptly if con taminated. Seek medical attention immediately. If this
chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure, begin
rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including
resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR if
heart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medical
facility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medi cal attention. Give large quantities of water and induce
vomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit. Keep
victim quiet and maintain normal body temperature. Effects
may be delayed; keep victim under observation.
Shipping
UN2783 Organophosphorus pesticides, solid,
toxic, Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials.
Description
Fonofos is a pale yellow liquid with a pungent,mercaptan-like odor. Molecular weight=246.34; Boilingpoint=130℃ at 0.1 mm; Freezing/Melting point=30℃;Vapor pressure=0.0003 mmHg at 20℃; Flashpoint=94℃ (cc). Hazard Identification (based on NFPA-704 M Rating System): Health 4, Flammability 1,Reactivity 0. Insoluble in water.
Waste Disposal
This phosphono compound is
reported to be satisfactorily decomposed by hypochlorite.
In accordance with 40CFR165, follow recommendations
for the disposal of pesticides and pesticide containers. Must
be disposed properly by following package label directions
or by contacting your local or federal environmental control
agency, or by contacting your regional EPA office.
Definition
ChEBI: Fonofos is an organic thiophosphate and an organothiophosphate insecticide. It has a role as an EC 3.1.1.7 (acetylcholinesterase) inhibitor, an EC 3.1.1.8 (cholinesterase) inhibitor and an agrochemical.
Agricultural Uses
Insecticide: It is a soil organophosphate insecticide primarily
used on corn. It was also used on maize, cereals, sorghum,
fruit, olives, potatoes, sugar cane, peanuts, tobacco, turf,
and some vegetable crops. It controls aphids, corn borer,
corn rootworm, corn wireworm, cutworms, white grubs,
symphylins, and other soil pests including some maggots. It was available in granular, microgranular, emusifiable concentrate, suspension concentrate, microcapsule
suspension, and seed treatment. Not registered for use
in the U.S. or in EU countries. There are 16 global
suppliers.
Trade name
CAPFOS®; CUDGEL®; DIFONATE®;
DYFONATE®[C]; DYPHONATE®; DOUBLE DOWN®;
STAUFFER-2790
Environmental Fate
Soil. The half-life for fonofos in soil incubated in the laboratory under aerobic conditions ranged was 25 days (Lichtenstein et al., 1977). In field soils, the half-lives for fonofos ranged from 24 to 102 days (Kiigemgi and Terriere, 1971; Schulz and Lichtenstein, 1971; Mathur et al., 1976; Talekar et al., 1977).
Plant. In plants, fonofos is oxidized to the phosphonothioate (Hartley and Kidd, 1987). Oat plants were grown in two soils treated with [14C]fonofos. Most of the residues remained bound to the soil. Less than 2% of the applied [14C]fonofos was re
Chemical/Physical. The hydrolysis half-lives of fonofos in a sterile 1% ethanol/water solution at 25°C and pH values of 4.5, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0 and 8.0, were 87, 50, 41, 22 and 6.9 weeks, respectively (Chapman and Cole, 1982). Emits toxic nitrogen and
Metabolic pathway
The metabolism of fonofos in plants and animals follows similar pathways,
with both activation and degradative steps occurring as primary
metabolic events. The former involves oxidative desulfuration to the
active acetylcholinesterase inhibitor fonofos oxon. The oxon is hydrolysed
rapidly in most biological systems and the resulting thiophenol is very
rapidly metabolised via S-methylation, thiooxidation, ring hydroxylation
and conjugation.
storage
Color Code—Blue: Health Hazard/Poison: Storein a secure poison location. Prior to working with thischemical you should be trained on its proper handling andstorage. Store in tightly closed containers in a cool area.
Degradation
Fonofos is hydrolysed in acidic and alkaline media (PM).
Incompatibilities
Strong acids, alkalies.
