Merphos (CASRN 150-50-5)
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0366
Merphos; CASRN 150-50-5
Health assessment information on a chemical substance is included in IRIS only after a comprehensive review of chronic toxicity data by U.S. EPA health scientists from several Program Offices and the Office of Research and Development. The summaries presented in Sections I and II represent a consensus reached in the review process. Background information and explanations of the methods used to derive the values given in IRIS are provided in the Background Documents.
STATUS OF DATA FOR Merphos
File First On-Line 09/07/1988
Category (section) |
Status |
Last Revised |
---|---|---|
Oral RfD Assessment (I.A.) | on-line | 04/01/1991 |
Inhalation RfC Assessment (I.B.) | message | 11/01/1992 |
Carcinogenicity Assessment (II.) | no data |
_I. Chronic Health Hazard Assessments for Noncarcinogenic Effects
_I.A. Reference Dose for Chronic Oral Exposure (RfD)
Substance Name — Merphos
CASRN — 150-50-5
Last Revised — 04/01/1991
The oral Reference Dose (RfD) is based on the assumption that thresholds exist for certain toxic effects such as cellular necrosis. It is expressed in units of mg/kg-day. In general, the RfD is an estimate (with uncertainty spanning perhaps an order of magnitude) of a daily exposure to the human population (including sensitive subgroups) that is likely to be without an appreciable risk of deleterious effects during a lifetime. Please refer to the Background Document for an elaboration of these concepts. RfDs can also be derived for the noncarcinogenic health effects of substances that are also carcinogens. Therefore, it is essential to refer to other sources of information concerning the carcinogenicity of this substance. If the U.S. EPA has evaluated this substance for potential human carcinogenicity, a summary of that evaluation will be contained in Section II of this file.
__I.A.1. Oral RfD Summary
Critical Effect
|
Experimental Doses* |
UF |
MF
|
RfD
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Ataxia, delayed 90-Day Hen Delayed Abou-Donia et al., |
NOEL: 0.1 mg/kg/day LOAEL: 0.5 mg/kg/day |
3000
|
1
|
3E-5
mg/kg/day |
* Conversion Factors: None
__I.A.2. Principal and Supporting Studies (Oral RfD)
Abou-Donia, M.B., D.G. Graham, P.R. Timmons and B.L. Reichert. 1980. Late acute, delayed neurotoxic and cholinergic effects of S,S,S- tributylphosphorotrithioite (merphos) in hens. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 53: 439-457.
Groups of mixed breed hens (5/group) were given a daily oral dose of 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10, 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg of merphos in gelatin capsules for 3 months. Hens at the highest two doses were given 10 to 30 mg/kg/day atropine sulfate (4 to 7 days) as protection against cholinergic effects. Controls consisted of four groups of five hens treated orally with either empty gelatin capsules; 10 mg/kg/day tri-o-cresyl phosphate (positive control); or 1 mg/kg/day parathion (negative control) for 3 months. Another group of three hens was given a daily oral dose of 30 mg/kg of atropine sulfate for 34 to 90 days as an atropine sulfate control. At the end of the treatment period, the birds were observed for 1 month then sacrificed and tissues from the central and peripheral nervous systems were taken for histological examination. Hens receiving 20-80 mg/kg/day lost weight and developed severe ataxia and delayed neurotoxicity that progressed to paralysis. Mortality also occurred at these dose levels. Hens receiving doses of 0.5-10 mg/kg/day lost weight, but regained it by the end of the observation period. These hens also showed mild to gross ataxia, and equivocal or negative histopathological changes in the spinal cord and peripheral nerves.
__I.A.3. Uncertainty and Modifying Factors (Oral RfD)
UF — The uncertainty factor of 3000 includes uncertainties in extrapolation from laboratory animals to humans (10A), subchronic to chronic exposure (10S), sensitive human subpopulations (10H) and an incomplete database.
MF — None
__I.A.4. Additional Studies/Comments (Oral RfD)
Data Considered for Establishing the RfD
1) 90-Day Oral - hen: Principal study - see previous description; no core grade ( Abou-Donia et al., 1980)
2) 90-Day Feeding - rat: NOEL=20 ppm (1.8 mg/kg/day); LEL=35.2 ppm ([3.8 mg/kg/day] reduced brain ChE activity]; no core grade (Virginia Carolina Chemical Corp., 1960a)
3) 90-Day Feeding - rat: ChE NOEL=0.5 mg/kg/day; Systemic NOEL=0.5 mg/kg/day; LEL=2.5 mg/kg/day (increased liver weight); no core grade (Virginia Carolina Chemical Corp., 1960b)
4) 90-Day Feeding - rat: ChE and systemic NOEL=25 mg/kg/day; no core grade (Virginia Carolina Chemical Corp., 1958a)
5) 90-Day Feeding - dog: ChE NOEL=0.75 mg/kg/day; LEL=2.5 mg/kg/day (plasma ChE inhibition); no core grade (Virginia Carolina Chemical Corp., 1957)
6) 112-Day Feeding - rat: ChE NOEL=0.1 mg/kg/day; LEL=0.25 mg/kg/day (RBC ChE inhibition in females); no core grade (Virginia Carolina Chemical Corp., 1958b)
7) 40-Day Feeding - rat: ChE and Systemic NOEL=1 mg/kg/day; no core grade (Virginia Carolina Chemical Corp., 1958c)
Data Gaps: None
__I.A.5. Confidence in the Oral RfD
Study — Low
Database — Low
RfD — Low
The low confidence assigned to the critical study is due to design deficiencies. Supporting data are too limited to merit a confidence greater than low. Low confidence in the RfD follows.
__I.A.6. EPA Documentation and Review of the Oral RfD
Source Document — This assessment is not presented in any existing U.S. EPA document.
Other EPA Documentation — Pesticide Registration Files
Agency Work Group Review — 11/21/1985, 08/13/1987
Verification Date — 08/13/1987
Screening-Level Literature Review Findings — A screening-level review conducted by an EPA contractor of the more recent toxicology literature pertinent to the RfD for Merphos conducted in August 2003 did not identify any critical new studies. IRIS users who know of important new studies may provide that information to the IRIS Hotline at hotline.iris@epa.gov or 202-566-1676.
__I.A.7. EPA Contacts (Oral RfD)
Please contact the IRIS Hotline for all questions concerning this assessment or IRIS, in general, at (202)566-1676 (phone), (202)566-1749 (FAX) or hotline.iris@epa.gov (internet address).
_I.B. Reference Concentration for Chronic Inhalation Exposure (RfC)
Substance Name — Merphos
CASRN — 150-50-5
The health effects data for Merphos (orthophosphate defoliant) have been reviewed by the U.S. EPA RfD/RfC Work Group and determined to be inadequate for derivation of an inhalation RfC. The verification status of this chemical is currently not verifiable. This assessment is not presented in any existing EPA document.
Agency Work Group Review — 06/25/1992
Screening-Level Literature Review Findings — A screening-level review conducted by an EPA contractor of the more recent toxicology literature pertinent to the RfC for Merphos conducted in August 2003 did not identify any critical new studies. IRIS users who know of important new studies may provide that information to the IRIS Hotline at hotline.iris@epa.gov or 202-566-1676.
EPA Contacts:
Please contact the IRIS Hotline for all questions concerning this assessment or IRIS, in general, at (202)566-1676 (phone), (202)566-1749 (FAX) or hotline.iris@epa.gov (internet address).
_II. Carcinogenicity Assessment for Lifetime Exposure
Substance Name — Merphos
CASRN — 150-50-5
This substance/agent has not undergone a complete evaluation and determination under US EPA's IRIS program for evidence of human carcinogenic potential.
_III.
[reserved]
_IV. [reserved]
_V. [reserved]
_VI. Bibliography
Substance Name — Merphos
CASRN — 150-50-5
Last Revised — 11/01/1992
_VI.A. Oral RfD References
Abou-Donia, M.B., D.G. Graham, P.R. Timmons and B.L. Reichert. 1980. Late acute, delayed neurotoxic and cholinergic effects of S,S,S-tributyl phosphoro- trithioite (merphos) in hens. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 53: 439-457.
Virginia Carolina Chemical Corporation. 1957. MRID No. 00089576. Available from EPA. Write to FOI, EPA, Washington, DC 20460.
Virginia Carolina Chemical Corporation. 1958a. MRID No. 00089576. Available from EPA. Write to FOI, EPA, Washington, DC 20460.
Virginia Carolina Chemical Corporation. 1958b. MRID No. 00089578. Available from EPA. Write to FOI, EPA, Washington, DC 20460.
Virginia Carolina Chemical Corporation. 1958c. MRID No. 00108720. Available from EPA. Write to FOI, EPA, Washington, DC 20460.
Virginia Carolina Chemical Corporation. 1960a. MRID No. 00089580. Available from EPA. Write to FOI, EPA, Washington, DC 20460.
Virginia Carolina Chemical Corporation. 1960b. MRID No. 00089572. Available from EPA. Write to FOI, EPA, Washington, DC 20460.
_VI.B. Inhalation RfC References
None available
_VI.C. Carcinogenicity Assessment References
None
_VII. Revision History
Substance Name — Merphos
CASRN — 150-50-5
Date |
Section |
Description |
---|---|---|
09/07/1988 | I.A. | Oral RfD summary on-line |
01/01/1989 | All | CASRN corrected |
04/01/1991 | I.A. | Text edited |
04/01/1991 | I.A.4. | Citations added |
04/01/1991 | VI. | Bibliography on-line |
01/01/1992 | IV. | Regulatory Action section on-line |
08/01/1992 | I.B. | Inhalation RfC now under review |
11/01/1992 | I.B. | Not verified; data inadequate |
11/01/1992 | VI.B. | No references available |
04/01/1997 | III., IV., V. | Drinking Water Health Advisories, EPA Regulatory Actions, and Supplementary Data were removed from IRIS on or before April 1997. IRIS users were directed to the appropriate EPA Program Offices for this information. |
10/28/2003 | I.A.6., I.B. | Screening-Level Literature Review Findings message has been added. |
_VIII. Synonyms
Substance Name — Merphos
CASRN — 150-50-5
Last Revised — 09/07/1988
- 150-50-5
- chemagro B-1776
- deleaf defoliant
- Easy Off-D
- folex
- Merphos
- phosphorotrithious acid, tributyl ester
- phosphorotrithious acid, s,s,s-tributyl ester
- S,S,S-tributyl phosphorotrithioite
- S,S,S-tributyl trithiophosphite
- tributyl phosphorotrithioite
- tributylthiofosfin