Discuss the use of Parathion and its affects on the wider social and environmental world.

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Chemical report                                                                95806

Aim of the report

This report aims to discuss the use of Parathion and its affects on the wider social and environmental world.

Introduction

Environmental hazards are rapidly becoming a global concern.  While we are striving to produce AZO free dyes, non toxic fuel, organically grown vegetables and fruits, smoke free environments, re-cycling toxic waste and cosmetics free from animal testing; we have a monumental task to relentlessly preserve, restore and improve our world and the environment around us.  

The use of an organic phosphorous insecticide known as Parathion to try and eradicate harmful pests and insects which scourge our crops is also contributing to this problem.

The substance is extensively being used by farmers in the US, as well as many Asian countries, to spray crops like soybean, corn, wheat, fruits, nuts, vegetables and other similar agricultural produce.  Some countries in the European Union and South America have banned the use of Parathion because of its harmful effects.  Due to its toxic qualities, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) withdrew the use of Parathion in 1992 on some agricultural crops like fruit, nuts and vegetable.  However it is now in use to contain pesticide on alfalfa, barley, corn, cotton, sorghum, soybeans, sunflowers and wheat.

History of Parathion

The history of Parathion dates back to as early as World War II.  A German chemist Dr. Gerhard Schrader, employed in 1940 by a chemical company IG Farben, (a division of Bayer AG) was experimenting with chemical compounds like organophosphate, trying to discover a new pesticide, in the hope to fight famine in austere times.  He discovered the compound organophosphates, was known to kill insects by interrupting their nervous system.  This led to the invention of Parathion or the infamous ‘nerve gas’, which was widely used during the war.  At the end of the war, German allies took over the patent and marketed Parathion liberally throughout the world under different brand names.  E605 was the common name under which it was sold in Germany, which was finally banned in 2002.  

The other trade names given to Parathion include AC 3422, Alkron, Alleron, Aphamite, Corothion, E-605, ENT 15108, Ethyl Parathion, Etilon, Fosferno 50, Niran, Orthophos, Panthion, Paramar, Paraphos, Parathene, Parawet, Phoskil, Rhodiatox, Soprathion, Stathion and Thiophos. The common name thiophos is used in the former USSR.  

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Structure and Formula of Parathion

The following formula and structure determine the characteristic of the compound.  

Parathion (O, O-diethy-O-p-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate) is an organophosphate compound.  

FORMULA:  C10H14NO5PS

STRUCTURE

Source:

In its purest form, Parathion is in the shape of white crystals.  At room temperature, the physical characteristics may be described as a yellow-to-brown liquid with a pungent odour like garlic or rotten eggs; and tends to darken when exposed to sunlight.  It is known to be slightly soluble in water at 25 degrees C, it is also slightly soluble in petroleum ...

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