Trade or other names: Amidophos, Montrel, Ruelene, Dowco 132.
Identification: Pure Crufomate is a colourless powder or a yellow oil. It is an Organophosphate pesticide applied on plants as a spray to kill insects or worms.
HAZARD SUMMARY
Crufomate can affect you when breathed in and by passing through the skin.
Acute (short-term) effects:
Exposure to crufomate can cause rapid, fatal organophosphate poisoning with
headache, sweating, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle twitching, loss of
coordination, and death.
Chronic (long-term) effects):
Repeated exposure may cause personality changes, including depression, anxiety or irritability
High or repeated exposure may damage the nerves with weakness “pins and needles”, and poor coordination in arms and legs. Crufomate may damage the testes (male reproductive glands). Breathing Crufomate can irritate the eyes, nose and throat.
MEDICAL TESTING:
Before employment and at regular times after that, the following are recommended
Plasma and red blood cell cholinesterase levels (tests for the enzyme poisoned by this chemical) If exposure stops, plasma levels return to normal in 1 to 2 weeks while red blood cell levels may be reduced for 1 to 3 months.
When cholinesterase enzyme levels are reduced by 25% or more below pre-employment levels, the risk of poisoning is increased, even if results are in the lower ranges of “normal”. Reassignment to work not involving organophosphate or carbamate pesticides is recommended until enzyme levels recover.
If symptoms develop or overexposure occurs, repeat the above tests as soon as possible and get an exam of the nervous system.
Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for damage already done are not a substitute for controlling exposure.
Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to this information.
Mixed exposures:
Persons exposed to other chemicals which affect body cholinesterase (Ops, carbamates) may be at increased risk.
Handling and storage
Prior to working with crufomate you should be trained in its proper handling and storage.
Crufomate is not compatible with strong bases (such as Sodum Hydroxide, Potassium Hydroxide): Strong Oxidizing Agents (such as Chlorine, Bromine and Flourine).
Store in tightly closed containers in a cool well-ventilated area away from heat.
Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames are prohibited where Crufomate is used,. Handled, or stored in a manner that could create a potential fire or explosion hazard.
Source: New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.
Category: Organophosphate Use: Agricultural
Trade or other names: Agridip, Asunthol, Meldane, Muscato x, Umbethion, CoRal, Asuntol, Bay 21, Baymis, Dilice, Resistox, Suntol, Negashunt [Extoxnet]
Physical Properties:
CAS Number 56-72-4.
Description: Tan, crystalline solid with a slight sulphur odour.
Moleculat formula: C14H16CIO5PS
Molecular weight: 362.78
Melting Point: 90-92 centigrade
Solubility: insoluble in water: 1.5mg/L at 20 centigrade, soluble in organic
solvents.
Specific gravity: 1.474
Regulatory status:
Australian Guidelines – no guidelines. Classified as harmful and toxic.
Schedule 7 poison. (PESKEM, 1995)
Overseas guidelines – no occupational exposure limits have been established for coumaphos by OSHA, NIOSH or ACGIH (Extoxnet)
Coumaphos is an insecticide used for control of a wide variety of livestock insects, including cattle grubs, screw-worms, lice, scabies, flies, and licks. It is used against ectoparasites, which are insects that live on the outside of host animals such as sheep, goats, horses, pigs, and poultry It is added to cattle and poultry feeds to control the development of fly larvae that breed in manure. It is also used as a dust, dip, or spray to control mange, horn flies, and face flies of cattle (Extoxnet). In Australia registered for use on cattle, horses and sheep (PESKEM, 1995)
ACUTE TOXICITY: Coumaphos is higbly toxic by inhalation and ingestion, and moderately toxic by dermal absorption. As with all organophosphates, coumaphos is readily absorbed through the skin. Skin and eye contact with this insecticide may cause mild irritation, as well as cholinesterase~inhibition. Some of the symptoms of acute inhalation of coumaphos begin immediately, or within four to 12 hours, of exposure. These include headaches, dizziness and incoordination. Moderate poisoning is characterised by muscle twitching and vomiting. Severe poisoning is indicated by diarrhoea, fever, toxic psychosis, fluid retention (edema) of the lungs, and high blood pressure. Symptoms of sublethal poisoning may continue for 2 to 6 weeks (Extoxnet).
CHRONIC TOXICITY: Repeated or prolonged exposure to 0P’s may result in the same effects as acute exposure including the delayed symptoms. Other effects reported in workers repeatedly exposed include impaired memory and concentration, disorientation, severe depressions, irritability, confusion, headache, speech difficulties, delayed reaction times, nighthmares, sleepwalking and drowsiness or insomnia. An influenza-like condition with headache, nausea, weakness, loss of appetite, and malaise has also been reported (Extoxnet).
Cardnogenic: Coumaphos was not found
to be cancer-causing, or carcinogenic, in tests done on mice and rats (Extoxnet)
Mutagenic: Gene mutation and DNA damage studies performed on bacterial cultures
showed no evidence of mutagenicity (Extoxnet).
Teratognic: Based on studies with rats and rabbits, EPA has determined that
coumaphos is not teratogenic. (Extoxnet).
Reproductive effects: Mice fed coumaphos at a dietary level of 100 ppm exhibited
a decrease in the number of pregnancies, litter size, and surviving offspring
(Extoxnet)
FATE IN TIlE ENVIRONMENT: Coumaphos was relatively immobile in a sandy loam soil and is unlikely to contaminate groundwater. It is relatively resistant to breakdown in water (Extoxnet).
ACTION ON ANIMALS: Coumaphos is highly toxic to birds, moderately toxic to fish and highly toxic to aquatic invertebrates. It also poses a moderate hazard to honey bees and a slight hazard to other beneficial insects (Extoxnet).
ACTION ON PLANT’S: No information was found on the breakdown of coumaphos in vegetation (Extoxnet).