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Ethion (Ref: ENT 24105)
(Also known as: diethion; diéthion; dietion; FMC 1240; NIA 1240 )
SUMMARY
Ethion is an organophosphate insecticide and acaricide which is not approved for use in the UK nor the EU. It has a low water solubility but is miscible with most organic solvents. It is moderately persistent in soils but can be persistent in water bodies under certain conditions. It is not mobile. Based on its physico-chemical parameters, ethion is not expected to leach to groundwater. It demonstrates a moderate to high level of toxicity for most species. There are concerns regarding its toxicity to humans being moderately toxic via the oral route, an acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor and neurotoxin.
Data alerts

The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement.

Environmental fate Ecotoxicity Human health
Environmental fate
High alert:
Persistent; Potential for particle bound transport: High
Ecotoxicity
High alert:
Fish chronic ecotoxicity: High; Daphnia acute ecotoxicity: High; Daphnia chronic ecotoxicity: High
Human health
High alert:
Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor; Neurotoxicant
GENERAL INFORMATION
Description
An insecticide and acaricide used to control a range of pests. Can also be a pesticide transformation product
Example pests controlled
Red spidermite (Tetranychus urticae); Planthoppers; Aphids; Scale insects; Codling moth
Example applications
Fruit including apples, pears, citrus; Onions; Cotton; Cereals
Efficacy & activity
-
Availability status
Current
Introduction & key dates
1957, first reported
UK regulatory status
UK COPR regulatory status
Not approved
Date COPR inclusion expires
Expired
UK LERAP status
No UK approval for use
EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)
EC Regulation 1107/2009 status
Not approved
Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur
France
Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires
Expired
EU Candidate for substitution (CfS)
Not applicable
Listed in EU database
Yes
Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 in the following EU Member States
ATAustria
BEBelgium
BGBulgaria
CYCyprus
CZCzech Republic
DEGermany
DKDenmark
EEEstonia
ELGreece
                 
ESSpain
FIFinland
FRFrance
HRCroatia
HUHungary
IEIreland
ITItaly
LTLithuania
LULuxembourg
                 
LVLatvia
MTMalta
NLNetherlands
PLPoland
PTPortugal
RORomania
SESweden
SISlovenia
SKSlovakia
                 
Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 by Mutual Recognition of Authorisation and/or national regulations in the following EEA countries
ISIceland
NONorway
                 
Additional information
Also used in
Australia
Chemical structure
Isomerism
None
Chemical formula
C₉H₂₂O₄P₂S₄
Canonical SMILES
CCOP(=S)(OCC)SCSP(=S)(OCC)OCC
Isomeric SMILES
No data
International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)
RIZMRRKBZQXFOY-UHFFFAOYSA-N
International Chemical Identifier (InChI)
InChI=1S/C9H22O4P2S4/c1-5-10-14(16,11-6-2)18-9-19-15(17,12-7-3)13-8-4/h5-9H2,1-4H3
2D structure diagram/image available?
Yes
General status
Pesticide type
Insecticide, Acaricide, Metabolite
Metabolite Type
Soil
Substance groups
Organophosphate insecticide; Organophosphate acaricide; Organothiophosphate insecticide; Organothiophosphate acaricide
Minimum active substance purity
-
Known relevant impurities
-
Substance origin
Synthetic
Mode of action
Non-systemic with a predominate contact action. Acetylcholine esterase inhibitor.
CAS RN
563-12-2
EC number
209-242-3
CIPAC number
102
US EPA chemical code
058401
PubChem CID
3286
CLP index number
015-047-00-2
Molecular mass
384.48
PIN (Preferred Identification Name)
O,O,O',O'-tetraethyl S,S'-methylene bis(phosphorodithioate)
IUPAC name
O,O,O',O'-tetraethyl S,S'-methylene bis(phosphorodithioate)
CAS name
S,S'-methylene bis(O,O-diethyl phosphorodithioate)
Other status information
Severe Marine Pollutant; Chemical subject to PIC regulations
Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards
-
Herbicide Resistance Classification (HRAC)
Not applicable
Herbicide Resistance Classification (WSSA)
Not applicable
Insecticide Resistance Classification (IRAC)
1B
Fungicide Resistance Classification (FRAC)
Not applicable
Examples of recorded resistance
Amblyseius fallacis, Delia antiqua, Musca domestica, Phytoseiulus persimilis, Boophilus microplus, many others
Physical state
Amber liquid
Can be a metabolite of:
Parent
Formation medium
Estimated maximum occurrence fraction
1107/2009 relevancy
chlormephos Soil - -
Formulations
Property
Value
Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically
  • Bayer CropScience
  • Cheminova
  • King Tech Corp
  • Hikal Ltd.
Example products using this active
  • Rhodocide
  • Ethio
  • Tefethion
  • Ethiomobeed
  • Nialate
  • Hylemox
Formulation and application details
Available in a variety of formulations including dusts, emulsifiable concentrates and solutions, granules and wettable powders.
ENVIRONMENTAL FATE
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)
2
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Low
Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)
Miscible
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Acetone		 -
Miscible
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Ethanol		 -
Miscible
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Xylene		 -
Miscible
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Methanol		 -
Melting point (°C)
-12
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Boiling point (°C)
165
F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Degradation point (°C)
- - -
Flashpoint (°C)
176
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
(closed cup)		 -
Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C
P
1.17 X 1005 Calculated -
Log P
5.07
G4 G = Extension Toxicology network database EXTOXNET. Available online but no longer updated. (click here )
4 = Verified data
 High
Fat solubility of residues
Solubility
- - -
Data type
- - -
Density (g ml⁻¹)
1.22
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C
- - -
-
Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)
0.2
G4 G = Extension Toxicology network database EXTOXNET. Available online but no longer updated. (click here )
4 = Verified data
 Low volatility
Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)
3.85 X 10-02
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Non-volatile
Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹
- - -
Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)
- - -
Degradation
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
General biodegradability
-
Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)
DT₅₀ (typical)
90
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Moderately persistent
DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)
150
Q2 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources
2 = Unverified data of unknown source
 Persistent
DT₅₀ (field)
- - -
DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)
- - -
DT₉₀ (field)
- - -
DT₅₀ modelling endpoint
- - -
Note
Tropical soils DT₅₀ range 9-16 days, temperate sandy soils DT₅₀ 49-56 day, 168 days organic soils
Dissipation rate RL₅₀ on plant matrix
Value
5.5
R4 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications
4 = Verified data
 -
Note
Published literature RL₅₀ range 3.0-10.5 days, 5 field crops, various matrices, n=6
Dissipation rate RL₅₀ on and in plant matrix
Value
4.1
R4 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications
4 = Verified data
 -
Note
Published literature RL₅₀ range 2.0-9.4 days, 7 field &crops, various matrices, n=9
Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7
Value
- - -
Note
-
Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7
Value
146
F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data
 Persistent
Note
-
Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)
- - -
Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)
- - -
Soil adsorption and mobility
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Linear
Kd
-
G3 G = Extension Toxicology network database EXTOXNET. Available online but no longer updated. (click here )
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Non-mobile
Koc
10000
Notes and range
-
Freundlich
Kf
- - -
Kfoc
-
1/n
-
Notes and range
-
pH sensitivity
-
Fate indices
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
GUS leaching potential index
0.00 Calculated Low leachability
SCI-GROW groundwater index (μg l⁻¹) for a 1 kg ha⁻¹ or 1 l ha⁻¹ application rate
Value
5.35 X 10-03 Calculated -
Note
Estimated concentrations of chemicals with Koc values greater than 9995 ml g⁻¹ are beyond the scope of the regression data used in SCI-GROW development. If there are concerns for such chemicals, a higher tier groundwater exposure assessment should be considered, regardless of the concentration returned by SCI-GROW
Potential for particle bound transport index
High Calculated -
Potential for loss via drain flow
Non-mobile Calculated -
Bio-concentration factor
BCF (l kg⁻¹)
586
F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Threshold for concern
CT₅₀ (days)
Not available -
Known metabolites

None
ECOTOXICOLOGY
Terrestrial ecotoxicology
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
208
F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data
Rat		 Moderate
Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL
(mg kg⁻¹)
0.3
L2 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
2 = Unverified data of unknown source
Rat 2 year		 High
(ppm diet)
6 -
Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
- - -
Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
128
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Phasianidae		 Moderate
Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)
- - -
Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
- - -
Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
- - -
Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)
- - -
Soil micro-organisms
- - -
Collembola
Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
- - -
Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)
- - -
Non-target plants
- - -
- - -
Honeybees (Apis spp.)
Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
11
K3 K = Research datasets (e.g. Pandora, Demetra; these datasets no longer available). Norman Ecotoxicology database. (click here )
3 = Unverified data of known source
Apis mellifera		 Moderate
Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
- - -
Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
20.6
G3 G = Extension Toxicology network database EXTOXNET. Available online but no longer updated. (click here )
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Moderate
Chronic
- - -
Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)
Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
- - -
-
Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
- - -
-
Mason bees (Osmia spp.)
Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
- - -
Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
- - -
Other bee species (1)
Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)
- - -
Mode of exposure
-
Other bee species (2)
Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)
- - -
Mode of exposure
-
Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)
- - -
Beneficial insects (Lacewings)
- - -
Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)
- - -
Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)
Harmful
Q2 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources
2 = Unverified data of unknown source
Typhlodromus pyri		 -
Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)
- - -
Aquatic ecotoxicology
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
0.5
G4 G = Extension Toxicology network database EXTOXNET. Available online but no longer updated. (click here )
4 = Verified data
Salmonidae		 Moderate
Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)
0.013
P3 P = Other non-EU, UK or US Governments and Regulators
3 = Unverified data of known source
Pimephales promelas 33 day		 Moderate
Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
0.000056
G3 G = Extension Toxicology network database EXTOXNET. Available online but no longer updated. (click here )
3 = Unverified data of known source
Unknown species		 High
Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)
0.000025
P3 P = Other non-EU, UK or US Governments and Regulators
3 = Unverified data of known source
Daphnia magna		 High
Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)
- - -
Aquatic plants - Acute 7 day EC₅₀, biomass (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Algae - Acute 72 hour EC₅₀, growth (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Algae - Chronic 96 hour NOEC, growth (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Mesocosm study data
NOEAEC mg l⁻¹
- - -
NOEAEC mg l⁻¹
- - -
HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION
General
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)
High (class III) - -
Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
208
F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data
Rat		 Moderate
Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)
838
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Rabbit		 -
Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
0.45
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Rat		 -
Other Mammal toxicity endpoints
- - -
ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)
- - -
ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)
- - -
AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)
- - -
AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)
- - -
Dermal penetration studies (%)
- - -
Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464
List I; List II - -
Exposure Routes
Public
-
Occupational
May be absorbed through the skin
MRLs
European
EU MRL pesticide database 
Great Britain
GB MRL Register 
Notes
-
Drinking Water Standards
- - -
Drinking Water MAC (μg l⁻¹)
- - -
Mammalian dose elimination route and rate
- - -
Health issues
Specific human health issues
Carcinogen
Genotoxic
Endocrine disruptor
XNo, known not to cause a problem
A3 A = Chromosome aberration (EFSA database)
3 = Negative
;
B0 B = DNA damage/repair (EFSA database)
0 = No data
;
C0 C = Gene mutation (EFSA database)
0 = No data
;
D0 D = Genome mutation (EFSA database)
0 = No data
;
E3 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source)
3 = Negative
 No data found
Reproduction / development effects Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor Neurotoxicant
?Possibly, status not identified
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
Respiratory tract irritant Skin irritant Skin sensitiser
No data found No data found No data found
Eye irritant Phototoxicant  
No data found No data found  
General human health issues
Bioaccumulates
Handling issues
Property
Value and interpretation
General
Prevent generation of mists
Use foam, carbon dioxide or dry chemicals to tackle fires
May produce toxic gases in a fire
IMDG Transport Hazard Class 6.1
CLP classification 2013
Health: H301, H312
Environment: H400, H410
WHO Classification
II (Moderately hazardous)
UN Number
UN3018
Waste disposal & packaging
-
Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity
-
TRANSLATIONS
Language
Name
English
ethion
French
ethion
German
Ethion
Danish
ethion
Italian
etion
Spanish
etion
Greek
ethion
Polish
etion
Swedish
-
Hungarian
-
Dutch
ethion
Norwegian
-
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