Substance profile
Methyl Parathion
Methyl Parathion is crystals with a pungent, garlic-like odor.
01 · Identification
What Methyl Parathion is
Methyl Parathion is crystals with a pungent, garlic-like odor. It boils at 143 °C, melts at 35.8 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 3rd degree.
02 · Identifiers
Methyl Parathion identifiers and molecular data
Methyl Parathion CAS number and EC number
Methyl Parathion molecular formula and molecular weight
Other names for Methyl Parathion
- parathion - methyl (ISO)
- O,O-dimethyl O-4-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate
03 · GHS classification
Methyl Parathion hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Methyl Parathion pictograms and signal word
Methyl Parathion hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flammable liquids GHS chapter 2.6 | Category 3 | H226 | GHS02 |
| Acute toxicity - oral GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 1 or 2 | H300 | GHS06 |
| Acute toxicity - dermal GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 3 | H311 | GHS06 |
| Acute toxicity - inhalation GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 1 or 2 | H330 | GHS06 |
| Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure GHS chapter 3.9 | Category 2 | H373 | 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 |
Where two values are shown with “or”, the hazard statement is shared by more than one category or by more than one class, and the code alone does not say which. H272, for example, belongs to oxidising liquids and to oxidising solids — the physical state decides. The binding answer for a specific entry is in the CLP Annex VI table itself.
Methyl Parathion hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H226 | Flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H330 | Fatal if inhaled. |
| H300 | Fatal if swallowed. |
| H311 | Toxic in contact with skin. |
| H373 | May cause 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 Methyl Parathion. 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 Methyl Parathion
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 Methyl Parathion 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
Methyl Parathion precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 19 precautionary statements to Methyl Parathion. 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
Methyl Parathion 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 | паратион-метил (ISO) O , O -диметилов О -4-нитрофенилов фосфоротиоат |
| Spanish español | Paratión-metilo (ISO) fosforotioato de O , O -dimetilo y O -4-nitrofenilo |
| Czech čeština | parathion-methyl (ISO) O, O -dimethyl- O -(4-nitrofenyl)-fosforothioát |
| Danish dansk | parathion — methyl (ISO) O, O- dimethyl- O- 4-nitrophenylthiophosphat |
| German Deutsch | Parathion-methyl (ISO) O , O -Dimethyl- O -(4-nitrophenyl) phosphorothioat |
| Estonian eesti | paratioon-metüül (ISO) O , O -dimetüül- O -4-nitrofenüülfosforotioaat |
| Greek ελληνικά | parathion-methyl (μεθυλικό παραθείο) (ISO) θειοφωσφορικό O , O -διμεθύλιο O -4-νιτροφαινύλιο |
| English English | parathion — methyl (ISO) O , O -dimethyl O -4-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate |
| French français | parathion-méthyl (ISO) phosphorothioate de O , O -diméthyle et de O -4-nitrophényle |
| Croatian hrvatski | paration-metil (ISO) O , O -dimetil- O -4-nitrofenil-fosforotioat |
| Italian italiano | paration — metil (ISO) tiofosfato di O, O-dimetile e O-4-nitrofenile |
| Latvian latviešu | parationmetils (ISO) O , O -dimetil- O -4-nitrofenilfosfortioāts |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | parationmetilas (ISO) O , O -dimetil- O -4-nitrofeniltiofosfatas |
| Hungarian magyar | paration-metil (ISO) O , O -dimetil O -4-nitrofenil-tiofoszfát |
| Maltese Malti | paratijon — metil (ISO) fosforotijoat ta’ O , O -dimetil O -4-nitrofenil |
| Dutch Nederlands | parathion — methyl (ISO) O , O -dimethyl- O -4-nitrofenylthiofosfaat |
| Polish polski | paration metylowy (ISO) tiofosforan O , O -dimetylu- O -4-nitrofenylu |
| Portuguese português | paratião-metilo (ISO) tiofosfato de O , O -dimetilo e de O -4-nitrofenilo |
| Romanian română | metil — paration (ISO) tiofosfat de O , O -dimetil și de O -4-nitrofenil |
| Slovak slovenčina | paratión-metyl (ISO) O, O -dimetyl- O -(4-nitrofenyl)-fosforotioát |
| Slovenian slovenščina | paration metil (ISO) O , O -dimetil O -4-nitrofenil fosforotioat |
| Finnish suomi | parationi-metyyli (ISO) O , O -dimetyyli- O -4-nitrofenyylifosforotioaatti |
| Swedish svenska | parationmetyl (ISO) O , O -dimetyl- O -4-nitrofenylfosfortioat |
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
Methyl Parathion GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Methyl Parathion, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
Methyl Parathion
- Flammable liquid and vapour.
- Fatal if inhaled.
- Fatal if swallowed.
- Toxic in contact with skin.
- May cause 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.
- Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
- Keep container tightly closed.
- Use explosion-proof [electrical/ventilating/lighting/…] equipment.
- Use only non-sparking tools.
- 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:
- Immediately call a POISON CENTER/doctor/…
- Get medical advice/attention if you feel unwell.
- Rinse mouth.
- Wash with plenty of water/…
- Collect spillage.
- Store in a well-ventilated place.
- Dispose of contents/container to …
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Methyl Parathion in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Methyl Parathion health hazards and exposure limits
Methyl Parathion hazard summary
Methyl parathion is an insecticide that does not occur naturally in the environment. Pure methyl parathion exists as white crystals. Impure methyl parathion is a brownish liquid that smells like rotten eggs.Methyl parathion is used to kill insects on farm crops, especially cotton. The EPA now restricts how methyl parathion can be used and applied; only trained people are allowed to spray it. Methyl parathion can no longer be used on food crops commonly consumed by children.
Source: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
Methyl Parathion carcinogenicity classification
Studied by the US National Toxicology Program: TR-157: Bioassay of Methyl Parathion for Possible Carcinogenicity (CASRN 298-00-0) (1979 )
Cancer Classification: Not Likely to be Carcinogenic to Humans
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Classification of carcinogenicity: 1) evidence in humans: no adequate data; 2) evidence in animals: evidence suggesting lack of carcinogenicity. Overall summary evaluation of carcinogenic risk to humans is Group 3: The agent is not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans. /From table/
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.
Methyl Parathion 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) |
| REL | TWA 0.2 mg/m3 [skin] | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| 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
Methyl Parathion 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.
Methyl Parathion boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 142.78 °C (289 °F) | NIOSH | |
| 154 °C (309.2 °F) | at 1.02008 mmHg (reduced pressure) | HSDB |
Methyl Parathion melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | 35.8 °C (96.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| 37.22 °C (99 °F) | NIOSH |
Methyl Parathion density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.36 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 1.358 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB |
Methyl Parathion solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Soluble in organic solvents | HSDB | |
| In water, 37.7 mg/L at 20 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB |
Methyl Parathion vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 0.00001 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 0.0000097 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 0.0000035 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Methyl Parathion flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | 42 °C (107.6 °F) | Closed cup | HSDB |
| commercial product, containing xylene, has flashpoint of 115F (EPA, 1998) | CAMEO |
Methyl Parathion autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 120 °C (248 °F) | Methyl parathion 80% in xylene | HSDB |
Methyl Parathion lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Combustible Solid | NIOSH |
Methyl Parathion vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 9.1 (air = 1) | CAMEO |
Methyl Parathion odor threshold
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odor threshold | 0.1328 mg/cu m odor low and high. | HSDB | |
| 1.23X10-2 ppm (detection in water; purity not specified) | HSDB | ||
| Odor Threshold Low: 0.0012 [mg/m3] | Haz-Map |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Source notes
Further notes on Methyl Parathion
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Solubility
Readily soluble in common organic solvents, e.g. dichloromethane, toluene >200, hexane 10 to 20 (all in g/L at 20 °C). Sparingly soluble in petroleum ether and some types of mineral oil.
Source: HSDB
10 · Handling and storage
Methyl Parathion storage and handling
Methyl Parathion safe storage
Store in an area without drain or sewer access. Keep in a well-ventilated room. Separated from food and feedstuffs.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Methyl Parathion storage conditions
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Methyl Parathion incompatible materials
Strong oxidizers, water [Note: Explosive risk when heated above 122 degrees F].
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Methyl Parathion reactivity
METHYL PARATHION is half decomposed in 8 days at 40 °C. When a sample was heated in a small test tube it decomposed in a few minutes and the residue exploded (Food Chem. 4(1):42. 1956).
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Methyl Parathion in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Questions
Methyl Parathion — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Methyl Parathion?
The CAS number of Methyl Parathion is 298-00-0. Its EC number is 206-050-1.
What does a Methyl Parathion label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Methyl Parathion carries the pictograms Flame, Skull and crossbones, Health hazard and Environment and the signal word is Danger.
Is Methyl Parathion flammable?
Yes. CLP Annex VI assigns Methyl Parathion H226 — flammable liquid and vapour. The flash point reported for it is 42 °C (107.6 °F), Closed cup (HSDB).
Is Methyl Parathion a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for Methyl Parathion. 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. IARC places it in Group 3: not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans.
What is the exposure limit for Methyl Parathion?
The US occupational exposure limit reported for Methyl Parathion 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 Methyl Parathion?
The boiling point reported for Methyl Parathion is 142.78 °C (289 °F) (NIOSH).
What is the melting point of Methyl Parathion?
The melting point reported for Methyl Parathion is 35.8 °C (96.4 °F) (HSDB).
How should Methyl Parathion be stored?
CLP Annex VI assigns Methyl Parathion the storage statement P403. Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to Methyl Parathion
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