PESTICIDE RESIDUES IN FOOD - 1982
Sponsored jointly by FAO and WHO
EVALUATIONS 1982
Data and recommendations of the joint meeting
of the FAO Panel of Experts on Pesticide Residues
in Food and the Environment and the
WHO Expert Group on Pesticide Residues
Rome, 23 November - 2 December 1982
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Rome 1983
ETHION
S S
" "
(C2H5O)2P - S - CH2 - S P(OC2H5)2
Explanation
Ethion was reviewed by the Joint Meetings of 1968 and 1972
(FAO/WHO 1969,1973). 1 The ADI recommended in 1968 was revised in
1972, based upon additional data. A substantial amount of data used in
support of the ADI was reported by Industrial Bio-Test Laboratories
(IBT), for which no replacement studies or validation of existing IBT
data have been submitted to FAO/WHO. Accordingly, the ADI for ethion
was re-evaluated.
EVALUATION FOR ACCEPTABLE DAILY INTAKE
COMMENTS
The 1972 JMPR reviewed additional data and, based on that data,
revised the ADI for ethion. Essentially all of the new data
reviewed, however, was performed by IBT (Greco et al 1970; Arnold
et al 1972; Fletcher et al 1972; Haley et al 1972; Kretchmar
et al 1971; Mastri et al 1970; Smith et al 1972; Hartke et al
1972; Palazzolo et al 1970, 1971). No independently obtained
validations, replacement studies or other additional data have been
submitted to FAO/WHO concerning the IBT data.
In view of the lack of non-IBT data available to the Joint
Meeting of 1968 and in the light of information that studies of IBT
origin will be replaced by appropriate studies in the near future, the
Meeting recommended returning the ADI to temporary status.
Furthermore, the Meeting required additional data on absorption,
distribution and metabolism in mammals.
TOXICOLOGICAL EVALUATION
Level Causing no Toxicological Effect
Rat : 3 ppm in the diet, equivalent to 0.15 mg/kg bw/day.
Dog : 0.125 mg/kg bw/day.
1 See Annex 2 for WHO and FAO documentation.
Estimate of Temporary Acceptable Daily Intake for Man
0 - 0.001 mg/kg bw.
FURTHER WORK OR INFORMATION
Required (by 1985)
1. A short-term toxicity study in the dog.
2. A teratology study in the rat.
3. A reproduction study in the rat.
4. A delayed neurotoxocity study.
5. A long-term feeding study in the rat.
6. A long-term oncogenicity study in a suitable species.
7. Absorption, distribution and metabolism data in mammals.
Desirable
1. Further information/observations in humans.
2. Mutagenicity studies.
REFERENCES
Arnold, D., Kennedy, G. and Keplinger, M.L. Mutagenic study with
1972 ethion in albino mice. Report (NCT 461.99) from Industrial
Bio-Test Laboratories, Inc. submitted to the World Health
Organization by Industrial Bio-Test Laboratories,
Inc.(Unpublished)
Fletcher, D., Jenkins, D.H. and Keplinger, M.L. Neurotoxicity study
1972 with ethion technical in adult hens. Report (NCT 646.22)
from Industrial Bio-Test Laboratories,Inc. submitted to the
World Health Organization by Industrial Bio-Test
Laboratories, Inc. (Unpublished)
Greco, R.A., Keplinger, M.L. and Fancher, O.E. The in vitro inhibitory
1970 effects of ethion, ethion monooxon and ethiondioxon on human
plasma and erythrocyte cholinesterase activity. Report (NCT
402.21) from Industrial Bio-Test Laboratories, Inc.
submitted to the World Health Organization by Industrial
Bio-Test Laboratories, Inc. (Unpublished)
Haley, S., Plank, B.J. and Wright, P.L. Teratogenic study with ethion
1972 technical in albino rats. Report (NCT 463.42) from
Industrial Bio-Test Laboratories, Inc. submitted to the
World Health Organization by Industrial Bio-Test
Laboratories Inc. (unpublished)
Hartke, K., Wright, P.L. and Keplinger, M.L. Two-year chronic oral
1972 toxicity study with ethion technical in beagle dogs. Report
(NCT 386.32) from Industrial Bio-Test Laboratories Inc.
submitted to the World Health Organization by Industrial
Bio-Test Laboratories, Inc. (Unpublished)
Kretchmar, B., Mastri, C. and Keplinger, M.L. Acute oral toxicity
1971 study with ethion technical in female albino rats. Report
(NCT 422.01) from Industrial Bio-Test Laboratories Inc.,
submitted to the World Health Organization by Industrial
Bio-Test Laboratories Inc. (Unpublished)
Mastri, C., Keplinger, M.L. and Fancher, O.E. Acute oral toxicity
1970 studies with ethion dioxon and ethion monooxon in albino
rats. Report (NCT 404.01) from Industrial Bio-Test
Laboratories, Inc., submitted to the World Health
Organization by Industrial Bio-Test Laboratories Inc.
(Unpublished)
Palazzolo, R.J., Fancher, O.E. and Calandra, J.C. A study on the
1970 effects of ethion on on plasma and erythrocyte
cholinesterase activity in human subjects during sub-acute
administration. Report (NCT 380.21) from Industrial Bio-Test
Laboratories, Inc., submitted to the World Health
Organization by Industrial Bio-Test Laboratories, Inc.
(Unpublished)
Palazzolo, R.J., Fancher, O.E. and Calandra, J.C. Cholinesterase
1971 inhibition studies in man with ethion. Society of Toxicology
Meetings, 5-9 March 1972. Paper No. 29.
Smith, P.S., Wright, P.L. and Keplinger, M.L. Two-year chronic oral
1972 toxicity study with ethion technical in albino rats. Report
(NCT 385.32) from Industrial Bio-Test Laboratories, Inc.,
submitted to the World Health Organization by Industrial
Bio-Test Laboratories, Inc. (Unpublished)