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DIMETHOATE

6.1 - Poison
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The Chemical Identifier fields include common identification numbers, the NFPA diamond U.S. Department of Transportation hazard labels, and a general description of the chemical. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
CAS Number UN/NA Number
  • 60-51-5
DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • Poison
none
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
A white crystalline solid, with a camphor-like odor, white to grayish crystals for technical product. This material is a contact and systemic organophosphate insecticide effective against a broad range of insects and mites when applied on a wide range of crops. It has not been produced in the U.S. since 1982. (EPA, 1998)

The Hazard fields include special hazard alerts air and water reactions, fire hazards, health hazards, a reactivity profile, and details about reactive groups assignments and potentially incompatible absorbents. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
It is stable in aqueous solution but is hydrolyzed by aqueous alkali.
Fire Hazard
As with other organophosphorus pesticides, container may explode in heat of fire. The temperature of storage should not exceed 70-80F. Keep away from sources of heat, flames, or spark-generating equipment. Unstable in alkaline solution. Hydrolyzed by aqueous alkali. Stable in aqueous solutions. The compound is stable for 2 years under environmental conditions if stored in undamaged, original containers. (EPA, 1998)
Health Hazard
Very toxic; the probable oral lethal dose in humans is between 50-500 mg/kg, or between 1 teaspoon and 1 ounce for a 70 kg (150 lb.) person. Dimethoate is a cholinesterase inhibitor, meaning it affects the central nervous system. Death is due to respiratory arrest arising from failure of respiratory center, paralysis of respiratory muscles, intense bronchoconstriction or all three. (EPA, 1998)
Reactivity Profile
DIMETHOATE is incompatible with alkaline preparations. It is slightly corrosive to iron. It is incompatible with sulfur based formulations. (NTP, 1992). Organophosphates are susceptible to formation of highly toxic and flammable phosphine gas in the presence of strong reducing agents such as hydrides. Partial oxidation by oxidizing agents may result in the release of toxic phosphorus oxides.
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

The Response Recommendation fields include isolation and evacuation distances, as well as recommendations for firefighting, non-fire response, protective clothing, and first aid. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from ERG Guide 152 [Substances - Toxic (Combustible)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

SPILL: Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.

FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)
Firefighting
This material is an organophosphate insecticide. Procedures for organophosphorus pesticides are as follows. Dike fire control water for later disposal, do not scatter the material. Wear positive pressure breathing apparatus and protective clothing. Fight fire from maximum distance.

Small fires: dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray, and foam.

Large fires: water spray, fog, or foam. (EPA, 1998)
Non-Fire Response
Dimethoate is an organophosphate insecticide. Precautions for organophosphorus pesticides include the following. Keep unnecessary people away; isolate hazard area and deny entry. Stay upwind; keep out of low areas. Ventilate closed spaces before entering them. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing at the site. Do not touch spilled material; stop leak if you can do so without risk. Use water spray to reduce vapors.

Small spills: absorb with sand or other noncombustible absorbent material and place into containers for later disposal.

Small dry spills: with clean shovel place material into clean, dry container and cover; move containers from spill area.

Large spills: dike far ahead of spill for later disposal. (EPA, 1998)
Protective Clothing
For emergency situations, wear a positive pressure, pressure-demand, full facepiece self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or pressure- demand supplied air respirator with escape SCBA and a fully-encapsulating, chemical resistant suit. (EPA, 1998)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
Note: Dimethoate is a cholinesterase inhibitor.

Signs and Symptoms of Acute Dimethoate Exposure: Acute exposure to dimethoate may produce the following signs and symptoms: pinpoint pupils, blurred vision, headache, dizziness, muscle spasms, and profound weakness. Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, seizures, and coma may also occur. The heart rate may decrease following oral exposure or increase following dermal exposure. Hypotension (low blood pressure) and chest pain may be noted. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is not uncommon. Respiratory effects may include dyspnea (shortness of breath), respiratory depression, and respiratory paralysis. Psychosis may occur.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to dimethoate may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.

Inhalation Exposure:
1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to dimethoate.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. Transport to a health care facility.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self- exposure to dimethoate.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
4. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
5. Wash exposed skin areas three times with soap and water.
6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
7. Transport to a health care facility.

Ingestion Exposure:
1. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
2. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
3. Activated charcoal may be administered if victims are conscious and alert. Use 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) for children, 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) for adults, with 125 to 250 mL (1/2 to 1 cup) of water.
4. Promote excretion by administering a saline cathartic or sorbitol to conscious and alert victims. Children require 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) of cathartic; 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) is recommended for adults.
5. Transport to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)

The Physical Property fields include properties such as vapor pressure and boiling point, as well as explosive limits and toxic exposure thresholds The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.

Note: For Vapor Density and Specific Gravity, comparing the value to 1.0 can tell you if the chemical will likely sink/rise in air or sink/float in fresh water (respectively). Short phrases have been added to those values below as an aid. However, make sure to also consider the circumstances of a release. The Vapor Density comparisons are only valid when the gas escaping is at the same temperature as the surrounding air itself. If the chemical is escaping from a container where it was pressurized or refrigerated, it may first escape and behave as a heavy gas and sink in the air (even if it has a Vapor Density value less than 1). Also, the Specific Gravity comparisons are for fresh water (density 1.0 g/mL). If your spill is in salt water (density about 1.027 g/mL), you need to adjust the point of comparison. There are some chemicals that will sink in fresh water and float in salt water.
Chemical Formula:
  • C5H12NO3PS2
Flash Point: 124°F (EPA, 1998)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: 125°F 113 to 117°F for technical product. (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Pressure: 8.5e-06 mmHg at 77°F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 1.277 at 149°F (EPA, 1998) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: 243°F at 0.1 mmHg (NTP, 1992)
Molecular Weight: 229.28 (EPA, 1998)
Water Solubility: 1 to 10 mg/mL at 75°F (NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

No AEGL information available.

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Dimethoate (60-51-5) 2.7 mg/m3 30 mg/m3 170 mg/m3
(DOE, 2024)

The Regulatory Information fields include information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Title III Consolidated List of Lists, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards, and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals Standard List (see more about these data sources).

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

Regulatory Name CAS Number/
313 Category Code
EPCRA 302
EHS TPQ
EPCRA 304
EHS RQ
CERCLA RQ EPCRA 313
TRI
RCRA
Code
CAA 112(r)
RMP TQ
Dimethoate 60-51-5 500/10000 pounds 10 pounds 10 pounds 313 P044

(EPA List of Lists, 2024)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

No regulatory information available.

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

This section provides a listing of alternate names for this chemical, including trade names and synonyms.
  • AADIMETHOAL
  • ACETIC ACID, O,O-DIMETHYLDITHIOPHOSPHORYL-, N-MONO- METHYLAMIDE SALT
  • AMERICAN CYANAMID 12,880
  • BI 58
  • 8014 BIS HC
  • CL 12880
  • CYGON
  • CYGON 2E
  • CYGON 400
  • CYGON 4E
  • CYGON INSECTICIDE
  • DAPHENE
  • DE-FEND
  • DEMOS-L40
  • DIMETHOATE
  • DIMETHOGEN
  • DIMETON
  • DIMEVUR
  • ENT 24650
  • EXPERIMENTAL INSECTICIDE 12,880
  • EXPERIMENTAL INSECTICIDE 12880
  • FIP
  • FOSFATOX R
  • FOSFOTOX
  • FOSFOTOX R
  • FOSFOTOX R 35
  • FOSTION MM
  • LURGO
  • NCI-C00135
  • O,O-DIMETHYL S-(N-METHYL- CARBAMOYLMETHYL) DITHIOPHOSPHATE
  • O,O-DIMETHYL S-(N-METHYLCARBAMOYLMETHYL) DITHIOPHOSPHATE
  • O,O-DIMETHYL S-(N-METHYLCARBAMOYLMETHYL) PHOSPHORODITHIOATE
  • O,O-DIMETHYL S-METHYLCARBAMOYLMETHYL PHOSPHORODITHIOATE
  • O,O-DIMETHYLDITHIOPHOSPHORYLACETIC ACID, N-MONOMETHYLAMIDE SALT
  • PEI 75
  • PERFECTHION
  • PERFEKTHION
  • PERFEKTHION S
  • PHOSPHAMID
  • PHOSPHAMIDE
  • PHOSPHOR- ODITHIOIC ACID, O,O-DIMETHYL S-(2-(METHYLAMINO)-2-OXOETHYL) ESTER
  • PHOSPHORODITHIOIC ACID O,O-DIMETHYL ESTER, ESTER WITH 2-MERCAPTO-N-METHYLACETAMIDE
  • PHOSPHORODITHIOIC ACID, O,O-DIMETHYL ESTER, S-ESTER WITH 2-MERCAPTO-N-METHYLACETAMIDE
  • PHOSPHORODITHIOIC ACID, O,O-DIMETHYL S-(METHYLCARBAMOYLMETHYL) ESTER
  • RACUSAN
  • ROGOR
  • ROGOR 20L
  • ROGOR 40
  • ROGOR L
  • ROGOR P
  • ROXION
  • S-METHYLCARBAMOYLMETHYL O,O-DIMETHYL PHOSPHORODITHIOATE
  • SALUT
  • SINORATOX
  • SISTEMIN
  • SYSTEMIN
  • SYSTEMIN (PESTICIDE)
  • SYSTOATE
  • TARA
  • TARA 909

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