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;XTOXNET PIP - CHLOROPICRIN Page I of 4 ie EXTOXNET Extension Toxicology Network Pesticide Information Profiles A Pesticide Information Project of Cooperative Extension Offices of Cornell University, Oregon State University, the University of Idaho, and the University of California at Davis and the Institute for Environmental Toxicology, Michigan State University. Major support and funding was provided by the USDA/Extension Service/National Agricultural Pesticide Impact Assessment Program. EXTOXNET primary files maintained and archived at Oregon State University :CHLOROPICRIN, TRADE OR OTHER NAMES: Some trade names for products containing chloropicrin include "Chlor-O-Pic," "Metapicrin" "Timberfurne" and "Tri-Clor." A partial list of trade names for chloropicrin mixtures with methyl bromide includes "Tri-Can," "Terr-O-Gas," "Preplant Soil Fumigant" and "Pic-Brom." Chloropicrin mixtures with 1,3-Dichloropropene include "Telone C-17," "Tri-Form" and "Pic-Clor." REGULATORY STATUS: Chloropicrin is currently undergoing USEPA FIFRA reregistration. It is a Class I toxicity, Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP), labeled with the signal word "Danger" (231). The U.S. Department of Transportation(DOT) proper shipping name is "Chloropicrin, 6.1, UN 1580, PGI, Poison Inhalation Hazard, Hazard Zone B." The Emergency Response Guide (ERG) number is 56. NFPA designations are 4-Health, 0-Fire, 3- Reactivity. Chloropicrin is not listed under the EPA Clean Air Act, EPA Clean Water Act or the EPA Marine Pollutant List(258). A tolerance is not required for preplant soil fumigation uses of chloropicrin. INTRODUCTION: Chloropicrin is a clear, colorless, oily liquid with a strong, sharp, highly irritating odor. It is a strong lachrymator (231). Chloropicrin has been used as an insecticide since 1917 and as a soil fumigant since 1920 (259). The primary use today is for preplant soil fumigation to control soil borne fungi, diseases and nematodes (231). It also is used to treat wood poles and timbers for internal decay by fungi and insects; as a warning/clearing agent for sulfuryl fluoride (structural fumigant) and methyl bromide (soil and structural fumigant); and is also used in organic synthesis. For soil fumigation and wood treatment, chloropicrin is packaged in DOT 4BW240 steel cylinders and bulk tanks which may be pressurized. When used as a warning agent for methyl bromide, chloropicrin is packaged along with the methyl bromide in steel cylinders. When used as a structural fumigation warning agent for sulfuryl fluoride, chloropicrin is packaged in small plastic bottles in DOT approved overpacks. Chloropicrin has a moderate vapor pressure (18.3 mmHg at 20 degrees C) and exists as a liquid at room temperature. Chloropicrin/methyl bromide mixtures will volatilize readily upon opening of the cylinder valve. Materials incompatible with chloropicrin are PVC, fiberglass, aluminum and magnesium and their alloys (231,260). TOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS . Acute Toxicity: Undiluted chloropicrin is highly toxic by ingestion or direct contact with the skin or eyes. According to the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (261), airborne exposure to 0.3-0.37 ppm (2-2.5 mg/meters cubed) for 3-30 seconds results in eye irritation. This response is reported to be highly variable among individuals and tearing (lachrymation) may occur at airborne exposures of 0.15-0.3 ppm (1-2 mg/meters cubed) (261). Inhalation exposure to 4 ppm (26 mg/meters cubed) for a few seconds may cause some degree of incapacitation(261)and an exposure of a few seconds to 15 ppm (100 mg/meters cubed) can cause injury to the respiratory track. Exposure to concentrations above 15 ppm can result in lacrimation, vomiting, and if allowed to continue for a minute or longer, can cause pulmonary edema and possibly death(261). The American Industrial Hygiene Association Emergency Response Planning Guideline for one hour exposure to chloropicrin is 3 ppm (20 mg/meters cubed)(262). Animal studies established that the 4-hour inhalation LC50 for chloropicrin vapor in rats is 11.9 ppm (79.7 mg/meters cubed)(293) and the respiratory irritation potential threshold (RD50) in mice is 7.98 ppm (53.5 mg/meters cubed)(293). The FIFRA Toxicity Classification for chloropicrin acute effects is Category I and the signal word for that classification is "Danger." . Signs and Symptoms of Poisoning: Undiluted chloropicrin is severely and immediately irritating to the