Technical Factsheet on: OXAMYL
List of Contaminants
As part of the Drinking Water and Health pages, this fact sheet is part of a larger publication:
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
Drinking Water Standards
MCLG: 0.2 mg/L
MCL: 0.2 mg/L
HAL(child): 1- to 10-day: 0.2 mg/L; Longer-term: 0.2 mg/L
Health Effects Summary
Acute: EPA has found oxamyl to potentially cause the following
health effects from acute exposures at levels above the MCL:
tremors, salivation and tearing due to cholinesterase inhibition.
Drinking water levels which are considered "safe" for short-term
exposures: For a 10-kg (22 lb.) child consuming 1 liter of water
per day, up to a 7-year exposure to 0.2 mg/L.
Chronic: Oxamyl has the potential to cause the following health
effects from long-term exposures at levels above the MCL:
decreased body weight.
Cancer: There is no evidence that oxamyl has the potential to
cause cancer from a lifetime exposure in drinking water.
Usage Patterns
Oxamyl is widely used for control of insects, mites and nematodes
on field crops, fruits and ornamentals. The majority of oxamyl is
applied to apples (36 percent), potatoes (33 percent), and
tomatoes (20 percent).
EPA estimated that 400,000 lbs. of oxamyl were produced in the US
in 1982.
Release Patterns
Oxamyl is released directly to the environment in its use as an
insecticide and during its manufacture, handling and storage.
Since oxamyl is not a listed chemical in the Toxics Release
Inventory, data on releases during its manufacture and handling
are not available.
Environmental Fate
Oxamyl is highly soluble in water, and is relatively stable in
aqueous solutions at acidic pH. It hydrolyzes and photodegrades
rapidly to an oximino compound.
Biodegradation is also rapid in soils under both aerobic and
anaerobic conditions. While laboratory studies have found oxamyl
to be mobile in soils, field data indicates only limited
mobility, most likely due to rapid biodegradation.
Bioconcentration is not expected as oxamyl is rapidly absorbed,
metabolized and eliminated in toxicological tests. However, some
accumulation has been noted in the skin and hair of rodents, so
accumulation may occur in species that do not readily metabolize
the compound.
Exposure data are limited, but oxamyl has been found in drinking
water at levels averaging 5 percent of the MCL.
Chemical/ Physical Properties
CAS Number: 23135-22-0
Color/ Form/Odor: White crystals with slight sulfurous odor.
M.P.: 100-192 C, different crystalline form at 108-110 C
Vapor Pressure: N/A
Octanol/Water Partition (Kow): N/A
Density/Spec. Grav.: N/A
Solubility: 280 g/L of water at 25 C; Very soluble in water
Soil sorption coefficient: N/A
Odor/Taste Thresholds: N/A
Bioconcentration Factor: N/A
Henry's Law Coefficient: N/A
Trade Names/Synonyms: Vydate K; Thioxamyl; Dioxamyl; DPX 1410;
Dupont 1410; Methyl N',N'-dimethyl-N-((methylcarbamoyl)oxy)-
1-thiooxamimidate
Other Regulatory Information
Monitoring For Ground/Surface Water Sources:
- Initial Frequency- 4 quarterly samples every 3 years
- Repeat Frequency- If no detections during initial round:
- 2 quarterly per year if serving >3300 persons;
- 1 sample per 3 years for smaller systems
- Triggers - Return to Initial Freq. if detect at > 0.002 mg/L
Analysis:
| Reference Source |
Method Numbers |
| EPA 600/4-88-039 |
531.1 |
| Standard Methods |
6610 |
Treatment- Best Available Technologies:
Granular Activated Charcoal
For Additional Information:
EPA can provide further regulatory and other general information:
EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline - 800/426-4791
Other sources of toxicological and environmental fate data include:
Toxic Substance Control Act Information Line - 202/554-1404
Toxics Release Inventory, National Library of Medicine - 301/496-6531
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry - 404/639-6000
National Pesticide Hotline - 800/858-7378
List of Contaminants
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