WHO Pesticide Residues Series, No. 1 1971 EVALUATIONS OF SOME PESTICIDE RESIDUES IN FOOD THE MONOGRAPHS The evaluations contained in these monographs were prepared by the Joint Meeting of the FAO Working Party of Experts on Pesticide Residues and the WHO Expert Committee on Pesticide Residues that met in Geneva from 22 to 29 November 1971.1 World Health Organization Geneva 1972 1 Pesticide Residues in Food: Report of the 1971 Joint Meeting of the FAO Working Party of Experts on Pesticide Residues and the WHO Expert Committee on Pesticide Residues, Wld Hlth Org. techn. Rep. Ser., No. 502; FAO Agricultural Studies, 1972, No. 88. These monographs are also issued by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, as document AGP-1971/M/9/1. FAO and WHO 1972 TRICHLORONAT IDENTITY Chemical names O-ethyl-O-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)-ethylmonothiophosphonate ethyl 2,4,5-trichlorophenyl ethylphosphonothionate Synonyms (R) Agritox, (R) Phytosol, (R) Agrisil, BAY 37 289, S 4400 Structural formulaOther information on identity and properties The active ingredient is a light brown liquid and has a boiling point of 108°C at 0.01 mm Hg. It has a vapour pressure of 1.5 × 10-5 mm Hg at 20°C and a volatility of 0.27 mg/m3 at 20°C. Its solubility in water at 20°C is approximately 50 ppm, in kerosenes poor, but in alcohol, acetone, chlorinated hydrocarbons and aromatic solvents good. The stability of the active ingredient to hydrolysis is high in the acid range, but in the alkaline range it decomposes quite readily (Bayer, 1969). Composition of the technical trichloronat is reported to be (Bayer, 1971): active ingredient 93.0 - 95.0% free 2,4,5-trichlorophenol 0.05 - 0.5% O-ethyl-O-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-ethylmonothiophosphonate 0.4 - 1.0% O,O-diethyl ethylthiophosphonate 0.1 - 0.5% sum of two unknown, low boiling compounds 1.0 - 1.5% sum of three to four unknown, high boiling compounds 3.0 - 5.0% H2O 0.01 - 0.9% Furthermore an analytical method for the determination of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in the technical material has been worked out. Samples analysed have contained less than 0.1 ppm of "dioxin" which is the limit of detection. It is guaranteed by the manufacturer that the "dioxin" content of the trichloronat preparations is less than 0.1 ppm in terms of the active ingredient (Bayer, 1971). EVALUATION FOR ACCEPTABLE DAILY INTAKE Biochemical aspects Absorption and distribution No information available. Bio-transformation No information available. Excretion No information available. Effects on enzymes and other biochemical parameters Three groups of three male rats orally dosed with 7.5, 3.8, or 1.9 mg/kg showed whole blood cholinesterase depression of 30, 15, and 0% after three hours, 35, 25 and 15% after 24 hours, and 15, 0-10, and 0% after 72 hours respectively (Kimmerle, G., 1962). Trichloronat is ineffective as a cholinesterase inhibitor in vitro, but is a strong inhibitor in vivo after i.p. administration of 7 mg/kg to rats. Maximum inhibition of brain, serum, and submaxillary gland cholinesterase occurred in 1-6 hours. Reversal of inhibition was slow, only returning to 60-75% of normal after 7 days (Root et al., 1969). Inhalation exposure of groups of 10 hens, for four hours five times weekly for four weeks resulted in 60.4, and 76.7% whole blood cholinesterase depression at air concentrations of 0.033, and 0.048 mg/l respectively (Kimmerle, G., 1968). TOXICOLOGICAL STUDIES Special studies Reproduction Four groups each comprising 10 male and 20 female rats were fed 0, 3, 10 and 30 ppm 95% pure trichloronat in the diet through three generations. The second litter from each generation, F1b, and F2b, was used as parents to establish the next generation. No adverse effects were noted among the parental animals except for depression of growth rate at 30 ppm. Reproductive performance was normal at all dose levels, but pup growth was depressed at 30 ppm, although litter size and birth weight were normal. In the third generation, the survival of the pups was adversely affected by 30 ppm trichloronat. No terata were observed (Löser, 1971). Neurotoxicity Exposure of groups of five hens to 0.055, 0.126, 0.248, or 0.585 mg/l air for four hours resulted in 100% mortality at the two upper dose levels. Examination of survivors 42 hours after exposure did not reveal neurotoxic effects. Further groups pre-treated i.m. with 100 mg PAM/kg and 50 mg atropine sulphate/kg exposed to 0.185, 0.4, 0.583 or 0.784 mg/l air resulted in three deaths out of five at the upper two dose levels. All survivors exposed to 0.4 mg/l air and above showed neurotoxic effects. Four-hour exposures repeated on five consecutive days at 0.053, 0.126, 0.143 or 0.162 mg/l air did not result in neurotoxic effects, although 1/5 and 5/5 hens died at the two top dose levels. Birds similarly exposed after PAM and atropine treatment, to levels of 0.222, or 0.376 mg/l air, all showed neurotoxic effects. Neurotoxic effects were not observed following four-hour exposures five times weekly for four weeks to air concentrations of 0.033 or 0.048 mg/l air (Kimmerle, 1968). Neurotoxic effects were not observed in 1-2 year-old hens unprotected against the cholinergic effects of trichloronat when single doses up to those which proved lethal were given. However, when the hens were protected with i.p. injections of atropine sulphate and 2-PAM, higher doses of trichloronat could be given and 100 mg/kg i.p. or 150 mg/kg orally produced neurotoxic effects. This effect of trichloronat was not detected in a sub-acute experiment in which 0, 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 ppm trichloronat in the diet was fed to groups of eight hens for 30 days. Two hens per group were killed after the treatment period, the rest were killed 30 days later; neurotoxic effects were not observed (Kimmerle, 1965). Potentiation Trichloronat administered simultaneously with malathion resulted in a two-fold potentiation of the malathion toxicity (Root et al., 1969). Toxicity of contaminants 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol is known to occur as a contaminant of trichloronat at a level of 1-2%. Groups of young male and female rats were fed dietary levels of 100, 300, 1000, 3000 and 10 000 ppm of 2,4,5-trichlorophenol for 98 days. Records were kept concerning appearance, behaviour, mortality, food consumption, body and organ weights and terminal haematological tests (urea nitrogen, leucocyte counts, haematocrits and haemoglobin values). No evidence of adverse effects was noted at the 1000 ppm levels or less. At 3000 and 10 000 ppm the rats showed diuresis and slight pathological changes of the kidney and liver, and at the 10 000 ppm level there was a slight decrease in growth (McCollister et al., 1961). 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin ("dioxin") is also a possible contaminant of trichloronat. The sole manufacturer of trichloronat states that the level of "dioxin" is below 0.1 ppm in technical trichloronat. (See "Identity"). Acute toxicity Species Route LD50 Reference (mg/kg) Mouse i.p. 33-35 DuBois and Kinoshita, 1963 Rat (M) oral 16-55 DuBois and Kinoshita, 1963; Gaines, 1969; Kimmerle, 1968; Kimmerle, 1967 Rat (F) oral 16-37.5 DuBois and Kinoshita, 1963; Gaines, 1969; Kimmerle, 1962 Rat (M) i.p. 10-14 DuBois and Kinoshita, 1963; Kimmerle, 1962 Rat (F) i.p. 11-37.5 Dubois et al., 1966; Kimmerle, 1962 Species Route LD50 Reference (mg/kg) Rat dermal 64-250 DuBois and Kinoshita, 1963; Gaines, 1969; Kimmerle, 1962 Guinea-pig oral 40-100 DuBois and Kinoshita, 1963; Kimmerle, 1962 Guinea-pig i.p. 26 DuBois and Kinoshita, 1963 (M) Rabbit oral 25-50 Kimmerle, 1962 Cat oral 10-25 Kimmerle, 1962; Kimmerle, 1968 Chicken oral 45 DuBois, 1963 Groups of five female rats were injected i.p., daily for 60 days, at dose levels of 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 mg/kg/day. Mortality resulted in 2 out of 5, 4 out of 5, and 5 out of 5 at 4, 6 and 8 mg/kg respectively. Body weight was reduced at all dose levels, although some recovery occurred at 2 and 4 mg/kg after 20 days on the test. Survivors autopsied at 60 days showed marked depression of serum, submaxillary gland, and brain cholinesterase (DuBois et al., 1966). Rabbit. A pair of rabbits dosed orally, five times weekly for two weeks with 5 mg/kg/dose did not lose body weight or display symptoms of poisoning (Kimmerle, 1962). Liver function tests (BSP, SG.OT, SG-PT) were unaffected by 20 mg/kg (one rabbit) or 10 mg/kg (two rabbits) administered as a single oral dose (Kimmerle, 1962). Dog. Groups of beagle dogs were fed 0, 2, 5, 10 (two males and two females/group or 25 (one male and one female) ppm in dry diet for 12 weeks. At termination of the study, erythrocyte cholinesterase was depressed at 25 ppm (40%) in the females. Plasma cholinesterase was depressed in both sexes at 10 ppm (39% in males and 27% in females) but in females only at 25 ppm (41%). Brain cholinesterase was comparable to control values for all groups. Liver cholinesterase was depressed in males at 5 ppm and above (depression exceeding 20%), and in females at 10 ppm and above. Thyroid weight and weight ratio were decreased at 25 ppm (Root at al., 1968b). Histopathological changes including lymphocytic proliferation of the intestinal wall were not dose-related (Hibbs and Nelson, 1968). Groups of two male and two female beagle dogs were fed 0 or 5 ppm in the dry diet for two years. A further group was fed 25 ppm for 18 months. The 25 ppm dose level was then increased to 50 ppm for the next seven weeks, to 100 ppm for the subsequent 14 weeks and finally to 200 ppm until the termination of the study. A final group was fed 2 ppm for two years, and then 1 ppm for a further 13 weeks, and then control diet for the final eight weeks prior to autopsy. Body symptoms in all cases reported were typical of cholinesterase depression. Short-term studies Rat. Groups of 10 male rats were incubated five times weekly for eight weeks with 0.75, 1.5, 3, 6, or 12 mg/kg/dose followed by a four week observation period. Symptoms of cholinesterase depression were seen at 12 mg/kg after the first dose only (Kimmerle, 1968). Groups of 20 male and 20 female rats were fed 0, 1, 3, 10 or 30 ppm of 95% pure trichloronat in the diet for three months. Final body weight was comparable, but males fed 10 and 30 ppm showed a slight dose related lag in weight gain during the second month. Signs of cholinesterase depression were seen during the morning from the second week in rats fed 30 ppm and in some rats fed 10 ppm. Plasma and erythrocyte cholinesterase levels were depressed at 10 and 30 ppm, erythrocyte cholinesterase being depressed slightly more than plasma cholinesterase. Depression at 3 ppm in plasma and erythrocytes was less than 20% (Löser, 1968). Groups of 15 male and 15 female rats were fed 2.25, 4.5, 9 or 18 ppm of technical trichloronat in the diet for four months. The control group comprised 30 male and 30 female rats. Cholinesterase depression in whole blood was apparent in females at 4.5 and 9 ppm at four weeks. At eight weeks, male rats showed depression at 9 and 18 ppm, and females at 18 ppm only. At 12 and 16 weeks, cholinesterase depression was apparent in both sexes at 18 ppm only (Löser, 1966). Histopathological examination revealed low-grade fatty changes in isolated epithelial cells of the liver of five male rats fed 18 ppm (Hobik, 1967). Five groups of 10 male and 10 female rats were fed 0, 2, 5, 10 or 25 ppm in the diet for 16 weeks. Terminal cholinesterase determinations indicated depression occurred in erythrocytes at 10 and 25 ppm, in brain and submaxillary glands at 25 ppm and in plasma of female rats at 25 ppm. Depression was less than 20% in all other groups, and less than 10% except for plasma in females at 10 ppm and erythrocytes in males at 5 ppm (Root at al., 1968a). The presence of dilated kidney tubules with eosinophilic casts was observed in all groups, but the incidence was considerably greater in the test groups (Grey at al., 1968). Weight and food consumption were reduced at 200 ppm. Signs of cholinesterase depression became apparent within three weeks of feeding 200 ppm. One male dog died after nine weeks exposure at this level. Erythrocyte cholinesterase was comparable to controls until the dose was increased to 75 ppm, at which dose depression occurred. The depression increased when the dose was increased to 200 ppm. Plasma cholinesterase was depressed at 2 ppm and above, depression being about 20% at 2 ppm. When the dose was reduced to 1 ppm, recovery to 99% of normal activity occurred. At autopsy, liver cholinesterase was inhibited 45% at 5 ppm. No reduction was observed in the group reduced from 2 to 1 to 0 ppm. Brain cholinesterase was reduced 10% at 5 ppm, and 72% at the top dose level. No compound related histological changes were apparent (Root et al., 1970). Long-term studies Rat. Four groups of 30 male and 30 female rats were fed 1, 3, 10, or 30 ppm of 95% pure trichloronat in the diet for two years. The control group comprised 60 males and 60 females. Body weight of males at 30 ppm was reduced, female body weight at 30 ppm was reduced between 9 and 12 months. Food consumption at 30 ppm was marginally reduced. Average absolute weight of male heart, lung, liver, kidney, and spleen were depressed, but organ/body weight ratio was unaffected. Signs of cholinesterase depression were apparent in the morning during the first three months in the 30 ppm group. Plasma and erythrocyte cholinesterase were depressed at 10 and 30 ppm, although at 10 ppm the depression became marginal as the study progressed. Terminal brain cholinesterase was depressed at 10 and 30 ppm in both sexes, and marginally depressed (17%) in males at 3 ppm. Histopathological data have not been submitted (Löser, 1970). Observations in man No information is available. Comments Trichloronat is a persistent organophosphorus insecticide used for soil treatment. No information is available on the absorption, distribution, excretion or general metabolism in animals. Short-term studies in the rat and dog, one long-term (two-year) study in the rat and a three-generation reproduction study in rats are available. In the short-term study some histopathological changes were observed, the nature of which could not be assessed. In the long-term studies insufficient information was available both on gross and histopathology of the organs. For this reason and because there is no information on the metabolism of this persistent insecticide the Meeting decided that no acceptable daily intake for man could be established at this time. RESIDUES IN FOOD AND THEIR EVALUATION Use pattern Trichloronat is an insecticidal compound with a contract and stomach action and with a residual activity of relatively long duration for a phosphorus insecticide. It is especially used for the control of soil-inhabiting developmental stages of different insect species and vegetable fly larvae. The formulations currently on the market are as follows (Bayer, 1969; 1971): 2.5% granular (Gr.) 7.5% granular (Gr.) 20.0% seed dressing powder (S.D.P.) 50.0% emulsifiable concentrate (E.C.) Practically all trichloronat manufactured is applied to vegetable crops. Pre-harvest treatments The recommended usages of trichloronat (Bayer, 1969) with regard to crops, pests, formulations, and rates are given below: Onions, leeks Hylemyia antiqua (Onion fly) 50% E.C. 10 litres per hectare, spray presowing and work in just below the surface; 0.1% (250 cm3 per running metre), drench at egg-laying; 7.5% Gr. 25 kg/hectare (or 7.5 g/10 metres), row treatment at sowing; 2.5% Gr. 80-100 kg/hectare (or 2.5 g per running metre), row treatment at sowing; 20% S.D.P. 75-100 g/kg seed, before treatment, moisten seed using 50-75 cm3 of water; sow within 24 hours of treatment. Brassica crops Hylemyia brassicae (Cabbage root fly) Hylemyia floralis (Turnip fly) 50% E.C. 0.04% (1 litre/m2), treatment of nursery seedbed or 10 litres per hectare, spray presowing, and work in just below surface, or 0.1% (250 cm3 per running metre, or 80-100 cm3/ Plant), drench at egg-laying; 7.5% Gr. 4 g/m2, treatment of seedbed, or 25 kg/hectare, row treatment at transplanting; Onions, leeks Hylemyia antiqua (Onion fly) 2.5% Gr. 1-2 kg/m3 for treatment of nursery bed soil, or 800 g/100 metres, row treatment at planting or 100 kg/hectare, row treatment at transplanting, or 1-2 g/plant applied to stem base at transplanting (also as mixture with sand), or 3-5 g/plant hole at transplanting. Carrots Psila rosae (Carrot fly) 50% E.C. 10 litres/hectare, spray presowing and work in just below surface; 2.5% Gr. 100 kg/hectare, row treatment at sowing; 20% S.D.P. 100 g/kg seed. Cereals Hylemyia coarctata (Wheat bulb fly) 2.5% Gr. 80-100 kg/hectare, broadcast treatment; 20% S.D.P. 250 g/100 kg seed. If fungicides are additionally applied use only non-mercurial products. Bananas Cosmopolites sordidus (Banana weevil borer) 2.5% Gr. 40-60 g/banana plant, apply in a radius of up to 40 cm around stem. Grassland Costelytra zealandica, Heteronychus arator, Oncopera intricata, Wiseana 2.5% Gr. 20-80 kg/hectare, broadcast treatment; 50% E.C. 2 litres/hectare, broadcast treatment. Trichloronat is recommended for testing on some additional pests. Other uses The compound is also used for termite-proofing of polyethylene, plasticized PVC and rubber. Residues resulting from supervised trials The residue data from supervised trials are given in Table I. They are compiled from the documentation made available by Bayer (1971). TABLE I Crop Country Formulation Application Pre-harvest Residue used1 rate2 interval (ppm)3 (days) Onions Germany 50% E.C. 10 l/ha 100-133 n.d.-0.02 Belgium " 8 l/ha 35 n.d. Germany " 0.1% spray 250 ml/row-m 58; 71 5.5; 1.6 Germany 2.5% Gr. 200 kg/ha 163 n.d. " " 1.5; 2.5 g/ row-m 100-133 n.d.-0.1 Finland 20% S.D.P. 100 g/kg seed 91-119 n.d.-0.3 Denmark " 3; 5 g/kg transplant roots 82; 110 0.2; 1.2 Leeks Germany 50% E.C. 10 l/ha 121 n.d. Cabbages Germany 50% E.C. 2% spray 2 ml/ plant 55 n.d. Belgium " 0.2% spray 100 ml/plant 48 n.d. Germany " 0.1% spray 250 ml/row-m 110 n.d. USA E.C. 1 x 0.13 g a.i./ plant + 2 × 0.18 g/ a.i./row-m 23-44 n.d. Germany 2.5% Gr. 2 g/plant 31; 62 n.d. Cauliflower Germany 50% E.C. 6; 8; 10 l/ha 50-69 n.d.-0.01 " " 0.05% spray 100 ml/plant 55 n.d. " " 0.1% spray 80 ml/plant 42; 52 n.d. " " 2% spray 2 ml/ plant 69 n.d. Cauliflower USA E.C. 1 × 0.13 g a.i./ 42-61 n.d. plant + 2 × 0.18 g a.i./row-m Germany 2.5% Gr. 2 g/plant 35-60 n.d.-0.1 " 20% S.D.P. 100 g/kg seed 76 n.d. Broccoli USA E.C. 1 × 0.13 g a.i./ 26-41 n.d. plant + 2 × 0.18 g a.i./row-m Brussels USA E.C. 1 × 0.13 g a.i./ 40-58 n.d. sprouts plant + 2 × 0.18 g a.i./row-m TABLE I (Cont'd.) Crop Country Formulation Application Pre-harvest Residue used1 rate2 interval (ppm)3 (days) Kohlrabi Germany 50% E.C. 6; 8; 10 kg/ha 30-50 0.01-0.08 " " 0.05% spray 100 ml/plant 19-45 0.01-0.1 " 2.5% Gr. 1 g/plant 19-45 0.04-0.4 Carrots Denmark 50% E.C. 4 l/ha 76-174 0.05-0.2 " " 8 l/ha " 0.04-0.2 Belgium " " 44; 79 3.6;* 5.0* Germany " 10 l/ha 94; 97 0.2; 0.5 " " " 68-148 0.06-0.4 " 2.5% Gr. 100 kg/ha 64-92 0.05-0.3 Norway " " 62-139 0.3-0.6 France " " 135-172 0.01-0.02 Belgium " " 51; 81 n.d. Italy " " 193 0.2 Denmark " 80 kg/ha 76 19.0* " " " 90 11.0* " " " 100-187 1.1-3.8* Germany " 150 kg/ha 46-166 n.d.-2.0* Holland " 2.5 g/row-m 111 0.6 Sweden " 3.5 g/row-m 156 0.8 " " 5.0 g/row-m " 1.4 " " 9.5 g/row-m " 2.3 Denmark 20% S.D.P. 100 g/kg 76-174 0.03-0.3 Finland " " 85-119 0.02-0.2 Barley Germany 2.5% Gr. 100 kg/ha 135 n.d. Corn " 2.5% Gr. 80 kg/ha 169 n.d. kernels USA Gr.; E.C. 5.6 kg a.i./ha 34-114 n.d. cobs " " " " n.d. forage " " " " n.d. Oats Germany 2.5% Gr. 100; 150 kg/ha 97; 135 n.d. Rye " 20% S.D.P. 250 g/kg seed 294 n.d. Bananas Ecuador 2.5% Gr. 45; 67.5 g/plant 3-180 n.d. Potatoes Germany 2.5% Gr. 150 kg/ha 150 0.02 Belgium " " 49; 62 0.3; n.d. sweet USA Gr.; E.C. 5.6 kg a.i./ha 116-164 n.d. Radish Germany 50% E.C 5; 10 kg/ha 21; 36 0.01; 0.1 " 2.5% Gr. 100 kg/ha 21; 36; 41 0.03; 0.04; 0.1 " 20% S.D.P. 100 g/kg seed 58 0.5-0.7 Finland " " 47 0.5 Rutabaga Finland 20% S.D.P. 100 g/kg seed 91; 135 n.d.; 0.05 Denmark " " 73; 153 n.d. TABLE I (Cont'd.) Crop Country Formulation Application Pre-harvest Residue used1 rate2 interval (ppm)3 (days) Sugar-beets roots Germany 2.5% Gr. 150 kg/ha 160 n.d. tops " " " " n.d. roots USA 10% Gr. 0.1-0.3 g a.i./ row-m 147-190 n.d.-0.1 tops " " " " n.d.-0.02 Turnips roots Germany 2.5% Gr. 150 kg/ha 175 n.d. tops " " " 163 0.01 1 E.C. = emulsifiable concentrate. Gr. = granular. S.D.P. = seed dressing powder. 2 Rate given in terms of formulation if not indicated by a.i. = active ingredient. 3 n.d. = non-detectable (varies 0.01-0.1 ppm). * Considered that the residue has not met the local requirements of good agricultural practice. It has been found (Brewerton et al., 1968) that the trichloronat residues in pasture crops were at or below 5 mg/kg (dry matter basis) after two weeks from treatment at 0.5 and 1 kg active ingredient per hectare, after one month from treatment at 2 kg a.i. per ha, and after two months from treatment at 4 kg a.i. per ha. Fate of residues General comments Trichloronat is a thiophosphonate which is highly effective against insects which live in or on soil (Homeyer, 1969). In crop protection, it is used only as a soil insecticide. The compound itself causes only slight depression of cholinesterase activity in vitro (Root et al., 1969) whilst, on the other hand, the trichloronat-oxone, formed by oxidation, has a strong anticholinesterase action. Trichloronat can be metabolized into O-ethyl-O(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)-ethylphosphonate, 2,4,5-trichlorophenol, O-ethyl-ethanephosphothioic acid, O-ethyl-ethanephosphonic acid, and ethanephosphonic acid. Degradation is effected mainly by splitting of the P-O-aryl bond with formation of 2,4,5-trichloro-phenol and O-ethyl-ethanethiophosphonic acid. On account of its very low stability, the latter is further broken down at a fast rate to O-ethyl-ethanephosphonic acid and finally to ethanephosphonic acid. In animals No relevant data are available for the evaluation of trichloronat in the feed (e.g. pasture grass) of the domestic animals. In plants It is known from biological experiments that trichloronat does not have a systemic action. Chemical analysis showed (Möllhoff, 1968a) that the compound is able, to a limited extent to penetrate into the plant and to be translocated within it just as observed also for parathion and similar compounds. Despite massive trichloronat treatment, viz. application of 50 ppm to potted soil, the trichloronat concentration in the aerial plant parts of China cabbage after 14 days amounted to only 0.05 ppm. Later analyses of kohlrabi showed that following application as a soil drench or granular treatment as recommended, i.e. at 50 mg of active ingredient per plant, the maximum residue amounted to 0.2 ppm after 30 to 40 days; the concentration in the leaves was higher than in the edible root. In larger plants, e.g. cabbages or bananas, the compound does not move upwards to a sufficient extent to produce measurable concentrations (>0.01 ppm) in the aerial plant parts. In root vegetables, the bulk of the absorbed trichloronat is present in the peel. In an experiment in which lettuce was sprayed with trichloronat (not done commercially), the trichloronat residues decreased at the same rate as those of parathion (Möllhoff, 1968b). Plants can convert trichloronat to the oxone. Following massive treatment, the concentrations may reach levels equivalent to 5-10% of the respective trichloronat content. But no concentrations exceeding 0.05 ppm have been found in any instance (Bayer, 1971). The oxone migrates at a fast rate in the plant. China cabbage grown in potted soil containing an initial concentration of 19 ppm of oxone absorbed so much of the oxone after two to seven days that the concentration in the plants reached a level of 0.77 ppm (Möllhoff, 1968a). But in comparison with trichloronat, the oxone is broken down in the plant at a much faster rate (Möllhoff, 1968b). When trichloronat is broken down in the plant, 2,4,5-trichlorophenol is liberated. Very small concentrations of this metabolite were found in tobacco and beets (Bayer, 1971). A further study of the metabolism of trichloronat in plants is still in progress. In soil A study was undertaken by Tu (1970) to establish whether trichloronat has any effect on microbial activities related to soil fertility. Application of trichloronat to soil at rates of 10 and 100 ppm affected the populations of bacteria and fungi for periods of one and two weeks. The application did not have a permanently harmful effect on nitrification, sulfur oxidation and phosphorus mineralization. On the other hand, it significantly stimulated ammonification. There are indications that trichloronat like other organo-phosphorus insecticides undergo microbial degradation in soil. Harris (1969) compared the persistence of biological activity of insecticides, including trichloronat, in soil. The insecticides were divided into three groups: (1) highly residual; (2) moderately residual; and (3) slightly residual. In muck soil, trichloronat was classified into group (3) and in sandy loam it was placed into group (2). According to the results of experiments with granular formulations and emulsions in the United States of America and in Germany (Bayer, 1971), the concentration of trichloronat in soil decreases to a level of 50% within 50 to 115 days. Bro-Rasmussen et al. (1970) studied the persistence of organophosphorus insecticides in soil in Denmark, and found that trichloronat has a half-life of 141 days. The metabolites were found to reach their peak concentrations in soil 30 to 60 days after incorporation of the parent compound. Trichloronat-oxone was not detectable (limit of determination of 0.01 ppm) in non-planted soil in any study. Oxone has been found in soil only in one experiment on potted China cabbage (Möllhoff, 1968a) in which there was a trichloronat concentration of 50 ppm in the soil. When the experiment was terminated after 14 days, the oxone concentration had reached a level of 0.05 ppm. In a parallel experiment in which the oxone itself was applied into the soil, the oxone concentration decreased from 19.3 ppm to a level of 0.4 ppm in 14 days. Therefore, it seems unlikely that the oxone is concentrated in soil. Splitting of the P-O-ethyl bond of trichloronat or its oxone was not observed in soil samples (limit of determination of 0.01 ppm). The 2,4,5-trichlorophenol which is liberated by the splitting of the P-O-aryl bond reached concentrations averaging 0.3 ppm in soil (Bayer, 1971; Möllhoff, 1971a; see Table II). The simultaneously liberated O-ethyl-ethanethiophosphonic acid was detected in traces only under favourable laboratory conditions and following addition of 40 ppm of trichloronat to soil. In a field experiment with a starting value of 5.5 ppm of trichloronat, O-ethyl-ethanephosphonic acid and ethanephosphonic acid reached maximum concentrations of 0.1-0.15 ppm each (Table II). Ethane-thiophosphonic acid was not found in any instance. In the above-mentioned laboratory experiment in which 40 ppm of trichloronat was applied to the soil, the peak concentration of O-ethyl-ethanephosphonic acid was 0.2 ppm and that of ethanephosphonic acid was 1.2 ppm. Under laboratory conditions, the latter has in soil a half-life of 15 to 20 days, as against a half-life of about 50 days for trichloronat. TABLE II. RESIDUES OF TRICHLORONAT AND ITS METABOLITES IN SOILS (µg/kg) (Mölhoff, 1971a) EtO S EtO O HO S HO O EtO S EtO O HO S HO O \ // \ // \ // \ // \ // \ // \ // \ // Days P P P P HO-R P P P P Soil after / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ Total P No. applic. Et O-R Et O-R Et O-R Et O-R Et OH Et OH Et OH Et OH (%) 1 0 5 510 n.d. n.d. n.d. 180 n.d. 60 n.d. 90 100 14 4 400 n.d. n.d. n.d. 200 n.d. 140 n.d. 110 78 Opladen 31 4 860 n.d. n.d. n.d. 250 n.d. 80 n.d. 50 75 60 2 340 n.d. trace n.d. 280 n.d. 80 n.d. 130 40 89 2 050 n.d. n.d. n.d. 50 n.d. <10 n.d. 100 36 119 1 120 n.d. n.d. n.d. 70 n.d. <10 n.d. 60 20 150 890 n.d. n.d. n.d. 40 n.d. <10 n.d. 30 15 180 990 n.d. n.d. n.d. nd n.d. nd n.d. nd 18 2 0 2 670 n.d. n.d. n.d. 90 n.d. 20 n.d. 30 100 14 2 700 n.d. n.d. n.d. 100 n.d. 20 n.d. 30 105 Höfchen 31 2 760 n.d. n.d. n.d. 30 n.d. 20 n.d. 40 109 60 2 350 n.d. n.d. n.d. 100 n.d. 30 n.d. 50 91 89 770 n.d. 119 790 n.d. 150 1 060 n.d. 180 900 n.d.
n.d. non detectable Assuming that trichloronat is applied, according to the recommendations, only once a year to the same field and taking into account the degradation rates presented before, there seems to be no accumulation of trichloronat in the soils to be expected. The behaviour of trichloronat in simulated field environment was studied to determine its relative potential for contaminating water stores. Residues in runoff water from field soil plots were less than 1% within a 14-day interval of application. Leaching studies in the laboratory for high nitrogen, clay and sandy loam soils indicated that rainfalls of 368, 447 and 103 inches, respectively, would theoretically be required to leach the compound 12 inches into the soil (Shaw et al., 1971). The half-life of trichloronat in neutral or alkaline water is very short. It was found to be 51 hours in water buffered to a pH of 7 at 30°C (Shaw et al., 1971). Measurements in isopropanol/water 1:1 (v/v) at pH 11.5, equivalent to pH 10.5 in water, produced a half-life of 6.2 hours for trichloronat at 37°C; the half-life value found for parathion was 28.3 hours, and thus greater by a factor of 4.5 (Hofer, 1969). A similar factor, viz. 5.5, was obtained by Möllhoff (1971b) in measurements in distilled water at 26°C. The half-life values were 110 days for parathion and paraoxone, 50 days for parathion-methyl, 20 days for trichloronat and paraoxone-methyl, and 60 days for trichloronat-oxone. In storage and processing Residues of trichloronat, trichloronat-oxone and 2,4,5-trichlorophenol in cold-stored (approximately -20°C) cabbage and potatoes did not decrease in 168 to 224 days (Chemagro Corp., 1968). Kohlrabi roots containing 0.3 ppm of trichloronat were boiled unpeeled for 30 minutes in twice the amount by weight of water in a closed vessel, and then analysed together with the water. Twenty-seven per cent of the compound was decomposed (Bayer, 1971). Washed carrots contained 0.35 ppm of residue; after they had been peeled, no more residue was detectable in them (limit of determination of 0.07 ppm) (Bayer, 1971). Washed turnips, carrots and onions contained no detectable residues after being peeled (Anon., Finland, 1969). The peel of carrots contained 0.66 ppm of residue as against only 0.02 ppm in the pulp. After these carrots had been mechanically washed, the peel was found still to contain 0.32 ppm residue and the pulp contained 0.04 ppm of residue. After the carrots had been blanched for one minute at 100°C, no more residues were detectable in them (<0.02 ppm). A similar result was obtained for normal preservation (Martens, 1970). In a study to investigate the effect of processing on trichloronat in sugar beets, a laboratory procedure was employed which simulated the industrial process; the results showed that trichloronat, trichloronat-oxone, and 2,4,5-trichlorophenol were completely degraded during the first initial boiling and liming step (Katague and Anderson, 1968a). Cigarettes containing trichloronat, trichloronat-oxone and 2,4,5-trichlorophenol were smoked and the smoke was analysed. Approximately 15% of each of the three compounds was found in the smoke (Olson and Anderson, 1968). Evidence of residues in food in commerce or at consumption From 1964 to 1968, Renvall and Åkerblom (1971) analysed 2396 samples of domestic and imported fruit and vegetables obtained from the Swedish market. Only about 0.01% of these samples, i.e. two or three, contained trichloronat. The residue level was less than 0.1 ppm. The limit of determination was 0.01 ppm. In 1968, Krause and Kirchhoff (1969, 1970) carried out analyses of market samples of fruit and vegetables produced in or imported into Germany. None of the 70 analysed samples contained detectable residues of trichloronat (limit of determination of 0.01 ppm). Methods of residue analysis Studies of metabolites have shown that following customary application of trichloronat, the oxone will occur, if at all, only in low concentrations because its half-life is considerably shorter than that of the parent compound (Möllhoff, 1968a, 1968b), 2,4,5-trichlorophenol also occurs only in very low concentrations or not at all. Therefore, determination of the parent compound itself is sufficient for regulatory purposes. Renvall and Åkerblom (1971) developed a thin-layer chromatographic method for determining residues of organophosphorus insecticides, including trichloronat, in fruit and vegetables, and which has a limit of determination of 0.1 ppm. Trichloronat can also always be co-determined by multiresidue methods for gas-chromatographic determination of organophosphorus insecticides, which are suitable for determining parathion (Beckman and Garber, 1969; Krause and Kirchhoff, 1970; Möllhoff, 1967, 1968b; Renvall and Åkerblom, 1971; Sans, 1967). Detectors that have been used include the electron-capture detector (Brewerton at al., 1968; Möllhoff, 1967), the thermionic detector and the flame photometric detector (Bowman and Beroza, 1970). There are two special methods for the determination of trichloronat residues. One is based on the determination of the phenol group (Katague and Anderson, 1966), and the other is based on the determination of the parent compound itself (Möllhoff, 1967; 1968a, 1968b). In the method based on the determination of the phenol, trichloronat and its oxone are determined together and the free 2,4,5-trichlorophenol is determined separately. After separating the free 2,4,5-trichlorophenol, trichloronat and its oxone are saponified. The resultantly liberated phenol and the previously separated phenol which is already free are separately acetylated and determined by gas-chromatography using an electron-capture detector. The limit of determination is generally 0.01 ppm. For confirmation of the results, two columns (Katague and Anderson, 1968b) is used. In a study conducted by Katague and Anderson (1967), 43 organophosphorus pesticides were checked for possible interference with the trichloronat residue analysis method. The trichloronat analysis is interfered with only by fenchlorphos (Ronnel) and its oxygen analogue (they were not included in the above study) because they contain the same phenol as trichloronat. The second special method of trichloronat residue analysis with terminal gas-chromatographic determination permits trichloronat and its oxygen analogue to be detected separately with the phosphorus or the electron-capture detector. By using suitable columns, it was possible to separate trichloronat from 35 organophosphorus insecticides including fenchlorphos (Ronnel). The response of the electron-capture detector to trichloronat is three times greater than that of the thermionic phosphorus detector but interference peaks occur on concentrating the extracts of some crops. Organochlorine compounds may also interfere. Therefore, the phosphorus detector should be preferably used for the determination. The metabolites that cannot be assayed by either of these two methods, can be determined in soil and plant samples by a gas-chromatographic method described by Möllhoff (1970). Examples of national tolerances Tolerance Safety Country Crop in ppm interval in days Belgium Cabbage 60 Carrots 90 Fruit, vegetables (incl. cabbage, onions), excl. potatoes 0.1 Canada Cole crops N.R. Denmark Onion, cabbage and carrot seed (as seed dressing) 0 Finland General (as soil drench) 84 Italy General 20 Netherlands Cabbage (soil treatment) 42 Beans 0 Cabbage, leeks, onions 0.1 Miscellaneous 0 Norway Edible root crops (as granular) 90 Appraisal Trichloronat is an organothiophosphorus insecticide which is used against soil insects, especially vegetable fly larvae. It is chiefly recommended for treatments of onions, leeks, brassica crops, carrots, cereals, bananas and grassland. Types of application are seed dressing, granular broadcast, soil spray, transplant and soil drench. Amounts applied are up to 5 kg active ingredient per hectare. Technical trichloronat is reported to contain 93-95% active ingredient. Dioxin (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin) may exist as an impurity in the technical material. It is guaranteed by the sole manufacturer that the dioxin content is below the limit of detection of the analytical method (0.1 ppm). Residue data are available from several countries. Trichloronat is subject to degradation in soils, plants and animals. Prom the degradation products trichloronat-oxone is of toxicological importance, but it is existing only in insignificant amounts in the terminal residues. From the treated seeds or soil, trichloronat is sorbed to the surface of the plant roots and is migrating only in minor amounts into the aerial parts of the crops. From the root crops, carrots have shown highest incidence and magnitude of residues. It has been demonstrated that peeling, blanching, etc. processes decrease the residues of carrots and other root crops to or below the levels of analytical detection limits. There is a TLC method with a detection limit of 0.1 ppm, GLC multi-residue methods, and two specific methods with detection limits of about 0.01 ppm for determining the residues of trichloronat in various crops. The evaluation of residue data is based on the assumptions that the technical trichloronat contain less than 0.1 ppm dioxin and that it is applied only into soils or to seeds and no treatments of the growing crops are made. Any such treatments are not regarded as good agricultural practice. Since no residues have been detected (less than 0.01 ppm) in bananas and cereals from recommended usages no tolerances are needed for those crops. Since an acceptable daily intake for trichloronat was not established by the Meeting, no recommendations for tolerances are made. As a result of recommended use of trichloronat, following residue levels need not be exceeded: Onions, leeks, kohlrabi, radish 0.5 ppm Cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, rutabagas, turnips, sugar beets, potatoes 0.1 ppm Carrots 1 ppm Further work or information Required (before an acceptable daily intake can be established or tolerances recommended): 1. Information on the absorption, distribution, excretion and general metabolism of trichloronat in at least one mammalian species. 2. Comprehensive information on the gross and histopathological findings particularly after long-term administration of this compound. 3. Relevant data for the evaluation of trichloronat in the feed of domestic animals, e.g. fodder crops. REFERENCES Anon., Finland. (1969) State Institute of Agr. Chem., Helsinki, Finland Bayer AG, Farbenfabriken, Pflanzenschutz. (1969) (R)Phytosol, (R)Agritox (Bayer 37289, S 4400). Leverkusen. E. 1-659/23536 Bayer AG, Farbenfabriken, Pflanzenschutz. (1971) Documentation on trichloronat for FAO Beckman, H. and Garber, D. (1969) Recovery of 65 organophosphorus pesticides from Florisil with a new solvent elution system. J.A.O.A.C., 52, 286-293 Bowman, M. C. and Beroza, M. (1970) GLC retention times of pesticides and metabolites containing phosphorus and sulfur on four thermally stable columns. J.A.O.A.C., 53: 499-508 Brewerton, H.V., Gibbs, M. M. and Perrot, D. C. F. (1968) Fensulgothion and "Bayer 37 289" residues in pasture. New Zealand J. Agr. Res., 11: 303-312 Bro-Rasmussen, F., Noddegaard, E. and Voldum-Clausen, K. (1970) Comparison of the disappearance of eight organophosphorus insecticides from soil in laboratory and in outdoor experiments. Pesticide Sci., 1: 179-199 Chemagro Corporation, Research Dept., Kansas City, U.S.A., Rep. No. 23 060. (1968) The effect of frozen storage at 0 to -10°F on Bay 37 289. Residues in cabbage and potatoes DuBois, K. P. (1963) The acute oral toxicity of Bayer 37289 to chickens. Unpublished report of the Toxicity Lab., University of Chicago, submitted by Farbenfabriken Bayer DuBois, K. P. and Kinoshita, F. (1963) The acute toxicity of Bayer 37289 to mammals. Unpublished report of the Toxicity Lab., University of Chicago, submitted by Farbenfabriken Bayer DuBois, K. P., Kinoshita, F. and Flynn, M. The sub-acute parenteral toxicity of Bayer 37289 to rats. Unpublished report of the Toxicity Lab., University of Chicago, submitted by Farbenfabriken Bayer Gaines, T. B. (1969) Acute toxicity of pesticides. Toxicol. appl. Pharmacol., 14: 515-534 Grey, A. P., Hibbs, C. M. and Nelson, D. L. (1969) Histologic evaluation of Bayer 37289 treated rats - addendum to report of Root et al., 1968a. Unpublished report of Chemagro Corp. submitted by Farbenfabriken Bayer Harris, C. R. (1969) Laboratory studies on the persistence of biological activity of some insecticides in soils. J. Econ. Entomol., 62: 1437-1441 Hibbs, C. and Nelson, D. L. (1968) Microscopic findings in tissues of male and female dogs fed Bay 37289 for twelve weeks - addendum to report of Root et al., 1968b. Unpublished report of Chemagro Corp. submitted by Farbenfabriken Bayer Hobik, H. P. (1967) Histologische Untersuchungen. Unpublished report submitted by Farbenfabriken Bayer Hofer, W. (1969) Farbenfabriken Bayer A.G. Personal communication Homeyer, B. (1969) Trichloronat, ein neues Mittel gegen Bodeninsekten. Mededelingen Rijksfakulteit Landbouw-Wetenschappen Gent, 34: 598-606 Katague, D. B. and Anderson, C. A. (1966) A gas-chromatographic method for the determination of Bay 37 289, its oxygen analogue, and 2,4,5-trichlorophenol in crops. J. Agr. Food Chem., 14: 505-508 Katague, D. B. and Anderson, C. A. (1967) An interference study for the residue method for Bay 37 289, its oxygen analog, and 2,4,5-trichlorophenol. Chemagro Corp. Report No. 20 482. Unpublished Katague, D. B. and Anderson, C. A. (1968a) Effect of processing on Bay 37 289 residues in sugar beets. Chemagro Corp. Report No. 23 418. Unpublished Katague, D. B. and Anderson, C. A. (1968b) Data for a confirmatory gas chromatographic method for Bay 37 289 and its metabolites. Chemagro Corp. Report No. 23 427. Unpublished Kimmerle, G. (1962) Re 54400 (E37289). Unpublished report submitted by Farbenfabriken Bayer Kimmerle, G. (1965) Untersuchungen zur Neurotoxitat von Bayer 37289 bei Huhnen. Unpublished report submitted by Farbenfabriken Bayer Kimmerle, G. (1968) Bayer 37289. Toxikologische Untersuchunger No. 667, submitted by Farbenfabriken Bayer Krause, C. and Kirchhoff, J. (1969) Organophosphatrückstände auf Marktproben von Obst und Gemüse sowie auf Getreideerzeugnissen. Nachrichtenblatt Dtsch. Pflanzenschutz-dienst, Braunschweig, 21: 81-84 Krause, C. and Kirchhoff, J. (1970) Gaschromatographische Bestimmung von Organophosphatrückständen auf Marktproben von Obst und Gemüse. Dtsch. Lebensmittel-Rundschau, 66: 194-199 Löser, E. (1966) Subchronische toxikologische Untersuchungen an Ratten. Unpublished report submitted by Farbenfabriken Bayer Löser, E. (1968) Subchronische toxikologische Untersuchungen an Ratten. Unpublished report submitted by Farbenfabriken Bayer Löser, E. (1970) Chronisch toxikologische Untersuchungen an Ratten. Unpublished report submitted by Farbenfabriken Bayer Löser, E. (1971) Bay 37289 Generationsversuche an Ratten. Unpublished report submitted by Farbenfabriken Bayer Martens, P. H. (1970) Influence des traitements de conserverie sur la degradation des residus de pesticides appliques sur carottes. Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques de L'Etat, Gembloux, Belgique; Centre de Recherches de Phytopharmacie, Rapport d'Activite 1970, No. 706 McCollister, D. D. Lockwood, D. T. and Rowe, V. K. (1961) Toxicologic information on 2,4,5-trichlorophenol. Toxicol. appl. Pharmacol., 3: 63-70 Möllhoff, E. (1967) Gaschromatographische Bestimmung von Rückständen in Pflanzen und Bodenproben nach Anwendung von Präparaten der (R)E 605-Reihe und von (R)Agritox. Pflanzenschutz-Nachrichten "Bayer", 20: 557-574 Möllhoff, E. (1968a) Versuche zur Aufnahme von Agritox durch Pflanzen aus dem Boden. Farbenfabriken Bayer A.G. Unpublished Möllhoff, E. (1968b) Beitrag zur Frage der Rückstände und ihrer Bestimmung in Pflanzon nach Anwendung von Präparaten der (R)E 605-und (R)Agritox-Reihe. Pflanzenschutz-Nachrichten "Bayer", 21: 331-358 Möllhoff, E. (1970) Methods zur Extraktion aus Pflanzen und Boden, zur Trennung und zum gaschromatographischen Nachweis von Organophosphorverbindungen und ihren Um- und Abbau-produkten. Vorläufiger Bericht. Farbenfabriken Bayer A.G. Unpublished Möllhoff, E. (1971a) Untersuchung über den Metabolismus von Trichloronat im Boden. Farbenfabriken Bayer A.C. Unpublished Möllhoff, E. (1971b) Verhalten einiger Organophosphorverbindungen in destilliertem Wasser. Farbenfabriken Bayer A.G. Unpublished Olson, T. J. and Anderson, C. A. (1968) Determination of Bay 37 289 residues in cigarette smoke. Chemagro Corp. Report No. 23 066. Unpublished Ragab, M. T. H. (1967) Direct fluorescent detection of organothiophosphorus pesticides and some of their sulfur-containing breakdown products after thin layer chromatography. J.A.O.A.C., 50: 1088-1098 Renvall, S. and Åkerblom, M. (1971) Determination of organophosphorus pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables on the Swedish market from 1964 to 1968. Residue Reviews, 34: 1-26 Root, M., Kinoshita, F. K., Flynn, M. and DuBois, K. P. (1969) Toxicity and anticholinesterase action of O-ethyl O-2,4,5-trichlorophenyl ethylphosphonothioate. Toxicol. appl. Pharmacol., 14 (3): 620. Abstr. Papers 18th Ann. Meet. Soc. Toxicol., Williamsburg, Virginia Root, M., Meskauskas, J. Kinoshita, F. and Flynn, M. (1970) The chronic toxicity of Bayer 37289 to male and female dogs. Unpublished report of the Toxicity Lab., University of Chicago, submitted by Farbenfabriken Bayer Root, M., Meskauskas, J., Kinoshita, F., Flynn, M. and Kempf, C. (1968a) Sub-acute oral toxicity of Bayer 37289 to male and female rats. Unpublished report of the Toxicity Lab., University of Chicago, submitted by Farbenfabriken Bayer Root, M., Meskauskas, J., Kinoshita, F., Flynn M. and Groks, D. (1968b) Sub-acute oral toxicity of Bay 37289 to male and female dogs. Report of the Toxicity Lab., University of Chicago, submitted by Farbenfabriken Bayer Sans, W. W. (1967) Multiple insecticide residue determination using column chromatography, chemical conversion, and gas-liquid chromatography. J. Agr. Food Chem., 15: 192-198 Shaw, H. R., Flint, D. R. and Waggoner, T. B. (1971) Bay 37 289 - Water stability and soil runoff, leaching and adsorption studies. Chemagro Corp. Report No. 29 062. Unpublished Tu, C. M. (1970) Effect of four organophosphorus insecticides on microbial activities in soil. Appl. Microbiol., 19: 479-484
See Also: Toxicological Abbreviations