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Parathion Chemical Sampling Information:
Parathion

General Description
    Synonyms: o,o-Diethyl-o-p-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate; O,O-diethyl O-(p-nitrophenyl) ester Phosphorothioic acid; Diethyl parathion; Ethyl parathion; Parathion-ethyl

    OSHA IMIS Code Number: 1984

    Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 56-38-2

    NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: TF4550000

    Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: 2783 152

    NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Parathion: chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more
Exposure Limits
    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Z-1 Table -- 0.1 mg/m3; Skin

    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A -- 0.1 mg/m3; Skin

    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards -- 0.1 mg/m3

    American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 0.05 mg/m3 TWA - Inhalable fraction, Vapor and aerosol; Skin; Appendix A4 - Not Classifiable as a Human Carcinogen; BEI

    National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 0.05 mg/m3 TWA; Skin
Health Factors
    International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) carcinogenic classification: Group 3, not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans

    NIOSH Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration (IDLH): 10 mg/m3

    Potential symptoms: Irritation of eyes, skin, respiratory system; miosis, blurring or dimness of vision; rhinorrhea; headache; chest tightness, wheezing, laryngeal spasm; salivation; cyanosis; anorexia; nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea; sweating; muscle fasciculation, lassitude (weakness, exhaustion), paralysis; dizziness, confusion, ataxia; convulsions, coma; low blood pressure; cardiac irregularities.

    Health Effects: Cholinesterase inhibition (HE6); Suspect teratogen (HE5)

    Affected organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system, CNS, cardiovascular system, blood cholinesterase

    Notes: 1) Parathion is activated to paraoxon by several cytochrome P-450 isoforms.2) Polymorphism in the expression and activity of the enzyme paraoxonase, which inactivates paraoxon, may play a role in susceptibility of workers to have symptoms from occupational parathion exposure.

    Date Last Revised: 07/12/2004

    Literature Basis:
    • NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Parathion.
    • International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Parathion.
    • EPA Air Toxics Website: Parathion. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Technology Transfer Network.
    • Lee, B.W., London, L., Paulauskis, J., Myers, J. and Christiani, D.C.: Association between human paraoxonase gene polymorphinsm and chronic symptoms in pesticide-exposed workers. J. Occup. Environ. Med. 45(2): 118-122, 2003.
    • Mutch, E., Daly, A.K., Leathart, J.B.S., Blain, P.G. and Williams, F.M.: Do multiple cytochrome P450 isoforms contribute to parathion metabolism in man? Arch. Toxicol. 77(6): 313-320, 2003.
    • Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Parathion. In, Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 2. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 1788-1791.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA
    Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:

    • sampling media: OSHA Versatile Sampler (OVS-2) - 13 mm XAD-2 tube (270/140 mg sections, 20/60 mesh) with Glass Fiber Filter enclosed
      analytical solvent: Toluene
      maximum volume: 480 Liters   maximum flow rate: 1.0 L/min
      current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FPD
      method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 62)
      method classification: Fully Validated
      note: OSHA personnel may obtain sampling tubes from SLTC.

    Wipe sampling: Yes, with Glass Fiber Filter

    Bulk method: Limit the amount of bulk submitted to one gram or one mL.
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Page last updated: 12/17/2004