Substance profile
Parathion
Parathion is the pure material is a yellowish liquid at temperatures above 6 °C with an usually has a faint odor.
01 · Identification
What Parathion is
Parathion is the pure material is a yellowish liquid at temperatures above 6 °C with an usually has a faint odor. Its molecular formula is C10H14NO5PS and its molecular weight is 291.26 g/mol. It boils at 375 °C, melts at 6.1 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
02 · Identifiers
Parathion identifiers and molecular data
Parathion CAS number and EC number
Parathion molecular formula and molecular weight
Other names for Parathion
- parathion (ISO)
- O,O-diethyl O-4-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate
03 · GHS classification
Parathion hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Parathion pictograms and signal word
Parathion hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 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 |
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.
Parathion hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H330 | Fatal if inhaled. |
| H300 | Fatal if swallowed. |
| H311 | Toxic in contact with skin. |
| 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 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 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 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
Parathion precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 14 precautionary statements to 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
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 (ISO) O , O -диетилов О -4-нитрофенилов фосфоротиоат |
| Spanish español | Paratión (ISO) fosforotioato de O , O -dietilo y O -4-nitrofenilo |
| Czech čeština | parathion (ISO) O, O -diethyl- O -(4-nitrofenyl)-fosforothioát |
| Danish dansk | parathion (ISO) O, O- diethyl- O- 4-nitrophenylthiophosphat |
| German Deutsch | Parathion (ISO) O , O -Diethyl- O -4-nitrophenylphosphorothioat |
| Estonian eesti | paratioon (ISO) O , O -dietüül- O -4-nitrofenüülfosforotioaat |
| Greek ελληνικά | parathion (παραθείο) (ISO) θειοφωσφορικό O , O -διαιθύλιο O -4-νιτροφαινύλιο |
| English English | parathion (ISO) O , O -diethyl O -4-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate |
| French français | parathion (ISO) phosphorothioate de O , O -diéthyle et de O -4-nitrophényle |
| Croatian hrvatski | paration (ISO) O , O -dietil- O -4-nitrofenil-fosforotioat |
| Italian italiano | paration (ISO) tiofosfato di O, O-dietile e O-4-nitrofenile |
| Latvian latviešu | parations (ISO) O , O -dietil- O -4-nitrofenilfosfortioāts |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | parationas (ISO) O , O -dietil- O -4-nitrofeniltiofosfatas |
| Hungarian magyar | paration (ISO) O , O -dietil O -4-nitrofenil-tiofoszfát |
| Maltese Malti | paratjon (ISO) fosforotijoat ta’ O , O -dietil O -4-nitrofenil |
| Dutch Nederlands | parathion (ISO) O , O -diëthyl- O -4-nitrofenylthiofosfaat |
| Polish polski | paration (ISO) tiofosforan O , O -dietylu- O -4-nitrofenylu |
| Portuguese português | paratião (ISO) tiofosfato de O , O -dietilo e de O -4-nitrofenilo |
| Romanian română | paration (ISO) tiofosfat de O , O -dietil și de O -4-nitrofenil |
| Slovak slovenčina | paratión (ISO) O, O -dietyl- O -(4-nitrofenyl)-fosforotioát |
| Slovenian slovenščina | paration (ISO) O , O -dietil O -4-nitrofenil fosforotioat |
| Finnish suomi | parationi (ISO) O , O -dietyyli- O -4-nitrofenyylifosforotioaatti |
| Swedish svenska | paration (ISO) O , O -dietyl- 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
Parathion GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Parathion, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
Parathion
- Fatal if inhaled.
- Fatal if swallowed.
- Toxic in contact with skin.
- 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.
- 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.
- Dispose of contents/container to …
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Parathion in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Parathion health hazards and exposure limits
Parathion hazard summary
parathion is a yellow-to-brown liquid with an odor of garlic. It is often dissolved in a hydrocarbon solvent before use. Parathion itself is not volatile. It is almost insoluble in water, slightly soluble in petroleum oils, and miscible with many organic solvents.
Source: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
Parathion carcinogenicity classification
Studied by the US National Toxicology Program: TR-070: Bioassay of Parathion for Possible Carcinogenicity (CASRN 56-38-2) (1979 )
Classification of carcinogenicity: 1) evidence in humans: no adequate data; 2) evidence in animals: limited. 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)
Cancer Classification: Group C Possible Human Carcinogen
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.
Parathion occupational exposure limits
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PEL | 0.1 [mg/m3] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| PEL | 0.1 mg/m³ | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| PEL | TWA 0.1 mg/m3 [skin] | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| REL | 0.05 mg/m³ | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| REL | TWA 0.05 mg/m3 [skin] | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| IDLH | 10 mg/m3 (NIOSH, 2024) | CAMEO Chemicals |
| IDLH | 10.0 [mg/m3] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| IDLH | 10 mg/cu m | Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) |
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
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.
Parathion boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 375 °C (707 °F) | at 760 mmHg | HSDB |
| 375 °C (707 °F) | NIOSH |
Parathion melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | 6.1 °C (43 °F) | HSDB | |
| 6.11 °C (43 °F) | NIOSH |
Parathion density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.27 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 1.26 g/cm³ | CAMEO | ||
| 1.26 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Parathion solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | PRACTICALLY INSOL IN PETROLEUM ETHER, KEROSENE, & USUAL SPRAY OILS | HSDB | |
| COMPLETELY SOL IN ALCOHOLS, ESTERS, ETHERS, KETONES, AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS, ANIMAL & VEGETABLE OILS | HSDB | ||
| SOL IN CHLOROFORM | HSDB |
Parathion vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 0.00004 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 0.00000668 mmHg | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.0000378 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO |
Parathion flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | 200 °C (392 °F) | NIOSH | |
| 120 °C (248 °F) | ICSC | ||
| 140 °C (284 °F) | range, midpoint shown | HSDB |
Parathion lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE WHEN HEATED. | HSDB | |
| Class IIIB Combustible Liquid: Fl.P. at or above 200 °F. | NIOSH | ||
| When a sample was heated in a small test tube it decomposed & in a few minutes the residue exploded. | decomposes | HSDB |
Parathion upper explosive limit (UEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | Not highly flammable. (EPA, 1998) | CAMEO |
Parathion odor threshold
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odor threshold | 4.00X10-2 ppm (detection in water; purity not specified) | HSDB | |
| 0.470 mg/cu m | HSDB | ||
| Odor Threshold: 0.476 mg/m (low); 0.4760 mg/m (high). | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Parathion fire and explosion behaviour
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.
Parathion fire potential
... NOT HIGHLY FLAMMABLE
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
10 · Handling and storage
Parathion storage and handling
Parathion safe storage
Provision to contain effluent from fire extinguishing. Separated from strong oxidants and food and feedstuffs. Well closed. Keep in a well-ventilated room.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Parathion storage conditions
All parathion containers shall be protected from ... corrosion, mechanical damage, and sources of ignition. ... Outdoor storage facilities shall be located at least 20 feet from any dwellings, or a populated area and shall be equipped with a sprinkler system, where feasible.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Parathion incompatible materials
Strong oxidizers, alkaline materials.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Parathion reactivity
Light-yellow liquid, it turns solid at 6 °C, a deadly poison by all routes. Organic phosphate insecticide, acts as an inhibitor of cholinesterase. Violent reaction when used as solvent to dissolve endrin. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of oxides of sulfur, phosphorus, and nitrogen [Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 984].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Parathion in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Questions
Parathion — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Parathion?
The CAS number of Parathion is 56-38-2. Its EC number is 200-271-7.
What is the chemical formula of Parathion?
The molecular formula of Parathion is C10H14NO5PS and its molecular weight is 291.26 g/mol.
What does a Parathion label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Parathion carries the pictograms Skull and crossbones, Health hazard and Environment and the signal word is Danger.
Is Parathion flammable?
CLP Annex VI assigns Parathion 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 200 °C (392 °F) (NIOSH).
Is Parathion a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for 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 2B: possibly carcinogenic to humans.
What is the exposure limit for Parathion?
The US occupational exposure limit reported for Parathion is 0.1 [mg/m3] (Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases). 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 Parathion?
The boiling point reported for Parathion is 375 °C (707 °F), at 760 mmHg (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Parathion?
The melting point reported for Parathion is 6.1 °C (43 °F) (HSDB).
How should Parathion be stored?
All parathion containers shall be protected from ... corrosion, mechanical damage, and sources of ignition. ... Outdoor storage facilities shall be located at least 20 feet from any dwellings, or a populated area and shall be equipped with a sprinkler system, where feasible. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to Parathion
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