| August 1999 |
| ToxFAQs™ |
| for |
| Diisopropyl Methylphosphonate |
| (Metilfosfonato
de Diisopropilo) |
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This fact sheet answers the most frequently
asked health questions about diisopropyl methylphosphonate.
For more information, you may call the ATSDR Information Center
at 1-888-422-8737. This fact sheet is one in a series of summaries
about hazardous substances and their health effects. This
information is important because this substance may harm you.
The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend
on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits
and habits, and whether other chemicals are present.
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| HIGHLIGHTS: Exposure to diisopropyl
methylphosphonate would only occur if you live near the
area where it was made and stored. Diisopropyl methylphosphonate
may cause skin rashes if your skin comes in contact with
it. This chemical has been found in at least 2 of the
1,416 National Priorities List sites identified by the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). |
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| What
is diisopropyl methylphosphonate? |
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Diisopropyl methylphosphonate is a chemical
by-product resulting from the manufacture of Sarin (GB), a
nerve gas that was produced by the Army in the 1950s. A chemical
by-product is a chemical that is formed while making another
substance. Sarin was produced and stored only in the Rocky
Mountain Arsenal outside of Denver, Colorado. Production of
Sarin in the United States was discontinued in 1957.
Diisopropyl methylphosphonate is not
known to occur naturally in the environment. It is not likely
to be produced in the United States in the future because
of the signing of a chemical treaty that bans the use, production,
and stockpiling of poison gases.
Diisopropyl methylphosphonate is a colorless
liquid. Other names for it are DIMP, diisopropyl methane-phosphonate,
phosphonic acid, and methyl-bis-(1-methylethyl)ester.
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| What
happens to diisopropyl methylphosphonate when it enters the
environment? |
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- Most diisopropyl methylphosphonate enters the groundwater
or surface water.
- Most will not enter the air since it does not easily evaporate.
- It does not easily break down in the environment.
- It can stay in water and soil for years.
- Diisopropyl methylphosphonate can enter the soil through
the flow of irrigation water.
- Plants can store diisopropyl methylphosphonate.
- It may enter the food chain when animals eat the plants
containing it.
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| How
might I be exposed to diisopropyl methylphosphonate? |
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- Most people would not be exposed to diisopropyl methylphosphonate.
- Living near the site (the Rocky Mountain Arsenal) where
Sarin was produced and stored.
- Drinking contaminated water.
- Eating vegetables irrigated by water contaminated with
diisopropyl methylphosphonate.
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| How
can diisopropyl methylphosphonate affect my health? |
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Little is known about the effects of
diisopropyl methylphosphonate on people's health. Skin rashes
were seen in some people who handled dead animals near a pond
containing diisopropyl methylphosphonate and other chemicals,
but it is not known whether diisopropyl methylphosphonate
or another chemical caused the effects.
Animal studies have not shown liver or
kidneys problems, infertility, or birth defects after the
animals ate or drank diisopropyl methylphosphonate. Some effects
on the blood and nervous system have been seen in animals
who ate or drank diisopropyl methylphosphonate at high levels.
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| How
likely is diisopropyl methylphosphonate to cause cancer? |
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The EPA has concluded that diisopropyl
methylphosphonate is not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity
to humans.
No carcinogenicity studies on diisopropyl
methylphosphonate are available in people or animals.
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| Is
there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to diisopropyl
methylphosphonate? |
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Once inside the body, diisopropyl methylphosphonate
is rapidly converted to isopropyl methylphosphonic acid (IMPA),
which is rapidly cleared from the blood. Tests can measure
IMPA in the blood or urine. However, these tests are useful
only for recent exposure because IMPA leaves the body rapidly.
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| Has the federal government made recommendations to protect human health? |
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The EPA advises that adults should not
drink water containing more than 0.6 milligrams of diisopropyl
methylphosphonate per liter (0.6 mg/L) of water for a lifetime.
They also advise that children should not drink water containing
more than 8 mg/L of diisopropyl methylphosphonate for a 1-day
or longer period.
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| Glossary |
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Carcinogenicity: Ability to cause cancer.
CAS: Chemical Abstracts Service.
Milligram (mg): One thousandth of a gram.
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| References |
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Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR). 1998. Toxicological Profile for diisopropyl methylphosphonate. Atlanta, GA:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health
Service.
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| Where can I get more information? |
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ATSDR can tell you where to find occupational
and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize,
evaluate, and treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous
substances. You can also contact your community or state health
or environmental quality department if you have any more questions
or concerns. For more information, contact:
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Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737)
FAX: (770)-488-4178
Email: ATSDRIC@cdc.gov
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