Substance profile
Fenthion
Fenthion is a colorless liquid with a slight garlic odor.
01 · Identification
What Fenthion is
Fenthion is a colorless liquid with a slight garlic odor. It melts at 7 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger.
02 · Identifiers
Fenthion identifiers and molecular data
Fenthion CAS number and EC number
Other names for Fenthion
- fenthion (ISO)
- O,O-dimethyl-O-(4-methylthion-m-tolyl) phosphorothioate
03 · GHS classification
Fenthion hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Fenthion pictograms and signal word
Fenthion hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acute toxicity - oral GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 4 | H302 | GHS07 |
| Acute toxicity - dermal GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 4 | H312 | GHS07 |
| Acute toxicity - inhalation GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 3 | H331 | GHS06 |
| Germ cell mutagenicity GHS chapter 3.5 | Category 2 | H341 | GHS08 |
| Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure GHS chapter 3.9 | Category 1 | H372 | GHS08 |
| Hazardous to the aquatic environment - acute GHS chapter 4.1 | Category 1 | H400 | GHS09 |
| Hazardous to the aquatic environment - chronic GHS chapter 4.1 | Category 1 | H410 | GHS09 |
Fenthion hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H341 | Suspected of causing genetic defects <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H331 | Toxic if inhaled. |
| H312 | Harmful in contact with skin. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H372 | Causes damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> through prolonged or repeated exposure <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
| H410 | Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Fenthion. The full reference lives on the hazard statements hub, the precautionary statements hub and the GHS pictograms hub.
Safety Data Sheet
Getting an SDS for Fenthion
A Safety Data Sheet is written for a product, not for a substance: the supplier of the grade you actually buy issues it, so two suppliers of Fenthion issue two different sheets. That is why there is no single authoritative SDS for a substance to download — what there is, is the job of collecting the sheets for the products you hold and keeping them current as suppliers revise them.
04 · Precautionary statements
Fenthion precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 18 precautionary statements to Fenthion. They are grouped the way a label groups them: what to do before handling, what to do when something has already happened, how to store it and how to dispose of it.
Prevention
What to do before and during handling so the hazard never happens.
Response
What to do once exposure, spillage or fire has already happened.
Disposal
What has to happen to the contents and the empty container.
Reading the notation. … is a blank the supplier fills in — not a truncated sentence.· [square brackets] mark a part printed only when it applies.
05 · Names in the regulation
Fenthion name in 23 EU languages
CLP Annex VI Part 3 is published in every language edition of the regulation, and the identification column is written out in each of them. Nothing below is translated by us: each line is the name as that edition prints it. Under Art. 18(2) the substance name from Annex VI is a lawful product identifier, so this is the wording to put on a label going to that market — and where the cell lists several designations, any one of them qualifies.
| Language | Name in CLP Annex VI Part 3 |
|---|---|
| Bulgarian български | фентион (ISO) O, O -диметил- O- (4-метилтион- m -толилов) фосфоротиоат |
| Spanish español | Fentión (ISO) fosforotioato de O, O -dimetilo y O -(4-metiltio- m -tolilo) |
| Czech čeština | fenthion (ISO) O, O -dimethyl- O -[3-methyl-4-(methylsulfanyl)fenyl]-fosforothioát |
| Danish dansk | fenthion (ISO) O, O- dimethyl- O- (4-methylthion- m -tolyl) phosphorthioat |
| German Deutsch | Fenthion (ISO) O, O -Dimethyl- O -(4-methylthion- m -tolyl)- phosphorothioat |
| Estonian eesti | fentioon O , O -dimetüül- O -(4-metüültioon- m -tolüül)fosforotioaat |
| Greek ελληνικά | fenthion (φενθείο) (ISO) θειοφωσφορικός O, O -διμεθυλ- Ο -(4-μεθυλοθειο- m -τολυλεστέρας) |
| English English | fenthion (ISO) O, O -dimethyl- O -(4-methylthion- m -tolyl) phosphorothioate |
| French français | fenthion (ISO) phosphorothioate de O, O -diméthyl- O -(4-méthylthion- m -tolyle) |
| Croatian hrvatski | fention (ISO) O, O -dimetil- O -(4-metiltion- m -tolil)-fosforotioat |
| Italian italiano | fention (ISO) O, O-dimetil-O-(4-metiltio- m -tolil)ditiofosfato |
| Latvian latviešu | fentions (ISO) O, O -dimetil- O -(4-metiltion- m -tolil)fosfortioāts |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | fentionas (ISO) O, O -dimetil- O -(4-metiltion- m -tolil)tiofosfatas |
| Hungarian magyar | fention (ISO) O, O -dimetil- O -(4-metiltion- m -tolil)-tiofoszfát |
| Maltese Malti | fentijon (ISO) fosforotijoat ta’ O, O-dimetil-O-(4-metiltijon-m-tolil) |
| Dutch Nederlands | fenthion (ISO) O , O -dimethyl- O -(4-methylthio- m -tolyl)thiofosfaat |
| Polish polski | fention (ISO) tiofosforan O , O -dimetylu- O -3-metylo-4-(metylosulfanylo)fenylu |
| Portuguese português | fentião (ISO) tiofosfato de O , O -dimetilo e de O -(4-metiltio- m -tolilo) |
| Romanian română | fention (ISO) tiofosfat de O, O -dimetil și de O -(4-metiltion- m -tolil) |
| Slovak slovenčina | fentión (ISO) O, O -dimetyl- O -[(3-metyl-4-(metylsulfanyl)fenyl]-fosforotioát |
| Slovenian slovenščina | fention (ISO) O, O -dimetil- O -(4-metiltion- m -tolil) fosforotioat |
| Finnish suomi | fentioni (ISO) O , O -dimetyyli- O -(4-metyylition-m-tolyyli)fosforotioaatti |
| Swedish svenska | fention (ISO) O, O -dimetyl- O -(4-metyltion- m -tolyl)fosfortioat |
All 23 language editions of Annex VI carry this entry. Irish is the twenty-fourth official EU language and has no line here for a different reason: no consolidated CLP text has ever been published in Irish, so there is no Irish edition of Annex VI to quote a name from. Source: consolidated CLP, CELEX 02008R1272, language editions. © European Union, https://eur-lex.europa.eu — only the electronic Official Journal of the European Union is authentic.
06 · Label elements
Fenthion GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Fenthion, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
Fenthion
- Suspected of causing genetic defects <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>.
- Toxic if inhaled.
- Harmful in contact with skin.
- Harmful if swallowed.
- Causes damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> through prolonged or repeated exposure <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>.
- Very toxic to aquatic life.
- Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
- Obtain special instructions before use.
- Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
- Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- Avoid release to the environment.
- Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/…
- IF SWALLOWED:
- IF ON SKIN:
- IF INHALED:
- IF exposed or concerned:
- Immediately call a POISON CENTER/doctor/…
- Call a POISON CENTER/doctor/… if you feel unwell.
- Get medical advice/attention.
- Get medical advice/attention if you feel unwell.
- Rinse mouth.
- Wash with plenty of water/…
- Collect spillage.
- Dispose of contents/container to …
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Fenthion in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Fenthion health hazards and exposure limits
Fenthion hazard summary
Classified as moderately toxic; All bird control products and nondomestic, nongranular formulations of greater than 70% fenthion may be used only by certified applicators; it is not licensed for use on food crops; [EXTOXNET] The average of two baseline respective cholinesterase activity determinations three days apart, with no exposures to enzyme inhibiting pesticides for at least 30 days, is recommended for each worker prior to exposure to cholinesterase inhibitors because of large inter-individual differences in published baseline values. To be established at least once a year. Removal from workplace exposures is recommended until the cholinesterase activity returns to within 20% of baseline. [TLVs and BEIs]
Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
Fenthion carcinogenicity classification
Studied by the US National Toxicology Program: TR-103: Bioassay of Fenthion for Possible Carcinogenicity (CASRN 55-38-9) (1979 )
Cancer Classification: Group E Evidence of Non-carcinogenicity for Humans
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
An IARC group and a CLP classification answer different questions. IARC judges whether the evidence for cancer in humans is strong enough; CLP Annex VI is the legally binding EU classification. A substance can carry one and not the other.
Fenthion occupational exposure limits
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PEL | none See Appendix G | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| REL | 0.2 mg/m³ | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| IDLH | N.D. | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
These are United States values. The European Union sets its own indicative and binding limits, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation — not the one shown here.
08 · Physical and chemical properties
Fenthion properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
Fenthion boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 87 °C (188.6 °F) | at 0.01 mmHg (reduced pressure) | HSDB |
| 105 °C (221 °F) | at 0.01 mmHg (reduced pressure), Commercial product | HSDB | |
| 87.22 °C (189 °F) | at 0.01 mmHg (reduced pressure) | CAMEO |
Fenthion melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | 7 °C (44.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| 6.11 °C (43 °F) | NIOSH |
Fenthion density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.25 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 1.25 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB |
Fenthion solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | READILY SOL IN GLYCERIDE OILS | HSDB | |
| SOL IN METHANOL, ETHANOL, ETHER, ACETONE, & MANY ORGANIC SOLVENTS, ESPECIALLY CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS | HSDB | ||
| Slightly sol in petroleum ether | HSDB |
Fenthion vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 0.0003 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 30000 mmHg | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.00003 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO |
Fenthion flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | 170 °C (338 °F) | ICSC |
Fenthion autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 365 °C (689 °F) | ICSC |
Fenthion lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Noncombustible Liquid | NIOSH |
Fenthion vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 9.6 (air = 1) | ICSC |
Fenthion corrosivity
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrosivity | NON-CORROSIVE | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Handling and storage
Fenthion storage and handling
Fenthion safe storage
Separated from strong oxidants and food and feedstuffs. Well closed. Keep in a well-ventilated room. Provision to contain effluent from fire extinguishing. Store in an area without drain or sewer access.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Fenthion storage conditions
Store in original container, preferably in a locked area, away from children, food, feed.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Fenthion incompatible materials
... incompatible with /insecticides and fungicides/ which are highly alkaline.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Fenthion reactivity
FENTHION may react with strong reducing agents such as hydrides to generate highly toxic and flammable phosphine gas. Partial oxidation by oxidizing agents may result in the release of toxic phosphorus oxides.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Fenthion in the storage compatibility matrix →
10 · Questions
Fenthion — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Fenthion?
The CAS number of Fenthion is 55-38-9. Its EC number is 200-231-9.
What does a Fenthion label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Fenthion carries the pictograms Skull and crossbones, Health hazard and Environment and the signal word is Danger.
Is Fenthion flammable?
CLP Annex VI assigns Fenthion no flammability hazard class. That is not a statement that it cannot burn: the harmonised list only records the hazards that were assessed for it. The flash point reported for it is 170 °C (338 °F) (ICSC).
Is Fenthion a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for Fenthion. Annex VI is a list of agreed classifications, not a list of substances found safe, so this is an absence of a classification rather than a clean bill of health.
What is the exposure limit for Fenthion?
The US occupational exposure limit reported for Fenthion is none See Appendix G (The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)). Limits differ by country: the EU sets its own indicative and binding values, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation.
What is the boiling point of Fenthion?
The boiling point reported for Fenthion is 87 °C (188.6 °F), at 0.01 mmHg (reduced pressure) (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Fenthion?
The melting point reported for Fenthion is 7 °C (44.6 °F) (HSDB).
How should Fenthion be stored?
Store in original container, preferably in a locked area, away from children, food, feed. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to Fenthion
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