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).
Other names for Parathion
- parathion (ISO)
- O,O-diethyl O-4-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| 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. |
Precautionary statements: P260, P270, P271, P273, P280, P301, P302, P304, P310, P314, P330, P352, P391, P501
03 · 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.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 375 °C (707 °F) | at 760 mmHg | HSDB |
| 375 °C (707 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Melting point | 6.1 °C (43 °F) | HSDB | |
| 6.11 °C (43 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 1.27 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 1.26 g/cm³ | CAMEO | ||
| 1.26 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| 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 | ||
| Vapor pressure | 0.00004 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 0.00000668 mmHg | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.0000378 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Flash point | 200 °C (392 °F) | NIOSH | |
| 120 °C (248 °F) | ICSC | ||
| 140 °C (284 °F) | range, midpoint shown | HSDB | |
| 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 | |
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | Not highly flammable. (EPA, 1998) | CAMEO | |
| 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.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling 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)
Incompatible materials
Strong oxidizers, alkaline materials.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
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 →