United States Office of PeAldda* and Toxic Sufaetancee
Environmental Protection Office of PeAldde Programs (TS-766C)
Agency Washington, DC 20460
xvEPA Pesticide
Fact Sheet
Name of Chemical: ACTELLIC
Reason for Issuance:
Date Issued: June so, 1935
Fact Sheet Number:
59
1. . DESCRIPTION OF CHEMICAL
Generic Name: O-[2-(diethylamino)-6-methyl-4-pyrimidinylJ
O,O-dimethyl phosphorothioate
Common Name: Pirimiphos-methyl
Trade Name: Actellic
EPA Shaughnessy Code: 108102
• Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Number: 29232-93-7
Year of Initial Registration: 1984
Pesticide Type: Insecticide
Chemical Family: Organophosphate
U.S. and Foreign Producers: ICI Americas, Inc., Imperial
Chemical Industries, PLC.,
United Kingdom
2. USE PATTERNS AND FORMULATIONS
Application Sites: Stored grain products: corn, rice, wheat,
and grain sorghum intended for export
only
Types of Formulations: Emulsifiable concentrate
Types of Methods of Application: Sprays
Application Rates: 0.006 to 0.015 Ibs. a. i. per 1000 Ibs.
of grain
Usual Carriers: petroleum solvents
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3. SCIENCE FINDINGS
Summary Sci nce Statement
Pirimiphos—methyl is an organophosphorothioate compound with
moderate acute toxicity. This chemical has demonstrated ad-
verse chronic effects. It is also a moderate toxicant to
wildlife species, however the registered use precludes exposure
to wildlife.
This chemical is toxic to fish, and other wildlife. The pro-
posed use precludes any impact on endangered species.
In case of a significant chemical spill call (800) 426—9300
(CHENTREC).
Chemical Characteristics
Physical State: Liquid
Color: Amber
Odor: Putrid— a typical organophosphorothioate odor. Odorless
when pure
Molecular weight: 305 (C 11 H 20 N 3 0 3 PS)
Melting point: 15—18°C
Boiling point: Decomposes above 100°C
Vapor Pressure: 1.1 x i0 tor at 30°C
Flash Point: not reported
Solubility in various solvents: Solubility in water: 5 ppm
at 30°C.
Miscible in all proportions
with methanol, ethanol,
chloroform, acetone, benzene,
toluene and xylene.
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Toxicology Characteristics
Acute Orali 2050 mg/kg, Toxicity Category III
Acute Derrnal: 1505 mg/kg, Toxicity Category II
Primary Dermal Irritation: No irritation, Toxicity Category
III
Primary Eye Irritation: Corneal opacity persisted to 14
days. Toxicity Category III
Skin Sensitization: Not a sensitizer
Acute Inhalation: Uncharacterized. The use pattern precludes
inhalation exposure.
Neurotoxicity: Not an acute delayed neurotoxic agent at
doses up to 10 mg/kg/day for 90 doses.
Oncogenicity: Not shown to be an oncogen in rat or mouse
studies at dose levels up to 300 and 500 ppr
(highest dose tested), respectively.
Teratogenicity: The Agency has determined that this chemical
is not teratogenic at levels up to 16 mg/kg/day,
however, an additional study in a second species
(rats) is still required.
Reproduction—3 generation: Two studies adequately demonstrate
that pirimiphos-methy]. does not
produce reproductive effects. No
effects were demonstrated at dose
levels up to 100 ppm.
Metabolism: The studies suggest that pirimiphos—methyl is
rapidly excreted and no evidence of bioaccumulation
was noted.
Mutagenicity: This chemical has been determined to be non—
mutagenic in all three required studies.
3
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Physiological and Biochemical Behavioral Characteristics
Mechanism c Pesticidal Action: An insecticide which is
active by contact, ingestion, and vapor action and causes
phosphorylation of the acetyicholinesterase enzyme of tissues,
allowing accumulation of acetylchloline at cholinergic neuro-
effector junctions (muscarinic effects), and at skeletal
muscle myoneura]. junctions and autonomic ganglia. Poisoning
also impairs the central nervous system function.
Symptoms of poisoning include: headache, dizziness, extreme
weakness, ataxia, tiny pupils, twitching, tremor, nausea,
slow heatbeat, pulmonary edema, and sweating. Continual
absorbtion at intermediate dosages may cause influenza—like
illness which includes symptoms like weakness, anorexia, and
malaise.
Metabolism and Persistence in Plants and Animals :
The metabolism of pirimiphos-methyl. in plants and animals is
not, at this time, adequately understood in order to establish
a tolerance for grain crops.
Environmental Characteristics
Uncharacterized. This use pattern preclude exposure to the
environment.
Ecological Characteristics
Avian oral:
Mallard duck——76.6 mg/kg
Ring necked pheasant——l7.7 mg/kg
Avian dietary:
Mallard duck——633 ppm
Bobwhite quai].—-207 ppm
Freshwater Fish:
Coldwater fish (rainbow trout)——O.40 ppm
Warmwater fish (bluegill sunfish)——2.9 ppm
Acute Freshwater Invertebrates:
Daphnia——O.21 ppb
if
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4. Tolerance Assessment
No domesti tolerances exist for this chemical. Tolerances
for small grains have been proposed to support domestic con-
sumption of treated grains. There is an established tolerance
of 5 ppm for imported kiwifruit.
5. SUMMARY OF MAJOR DATA GAPS
o A second inamalian species (rat) teratology study.
6. CONTACT PERSON AT EPA
Jay S. Ellenberger
Product Manager (12)
Insecticide—Rodenticide Branch
Registration Division (TS—767C)
Office of Pesticide Programs
Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, S. W.
Washington, D. C. 20460
Office location and telephone number:
Room 202, Crystal Mall *2
1921 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, VA 22202
(703) 557—2386
DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this Chemical Information
Fact Sheet is for informational purposes only and may not be used
to fulfill data requirements for pesticide registration and
reregistration.
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