EPN

Use

Biological. From the first-order biotic and abiotic rate constants of EPN in estuarine water and sediment/water systems, the estimated biodegradation half-lives were 6.2 and 9.2 days, respectively (Walker et al., 1988). Soil. Though no products were reported, the half-life in soil is 15–30 days (Hartley and Kidd, 1987). Photolytic. EPN may undergo direct photolysis since the insecticide showed some absorption when a 1,4-dioxane was irradiated with UV light (l >290 nm) (Gore et al., 1971). Chemical/Physical. On heating, EPN is converted to the S-ethyl isomer (Worthing and Hance, 1991). Releases toxic fumes of phosphorus, nitrogen and sulfur oxides when heated to decomposition (Sax and Lewis, 1987; Lewis, 1990). Rapidly hydrolyzed in alkaline solutions to p-nitrophenol, alcohol and benzene thiophosphoric acid (Sittig, 1985).