ToxFAQs™ for Diisopropyl Methylphosphonate

(Metilfosfonato de Diisopropilo)

August 1999

CAS#: 1445-75-6

PDF Version, 121 KB

---

This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions about diisopropyl methylphosphonate. For more information, you may call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-888-422-8737. This fact sheet is one in a series of summaries about hazardous substances and their health effects. It is important you understand this information because this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other chemicals are present.

---

Highlights

Exposure to diisopropyl methylphosphonate would only occur if you live near the area where it was made and stored. Diisopropyl methylphosphonate may cause skin rashes if your skin comes in contact with it. This chemical has been found in at least 2 of the 1,416 National Priorities List sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

---

What is diisopropyl methylphosphonate?

Diisopropyl methylphosphonate is a chemical by-product resulting from the manufacture of Sarin (GB), a nerve gas that was produced by the Army in the 1950s. A chemical by-product is a chemical that is formed while making another substance. Sarin was produced and stored only in the Rocky Mountain Arsenal outside of Denver, Colorado. Production of Sarin in the United States was discontinued in 1957.

Diisopropyl methylphosphonate is not known to occur naturally in the environment. It is not likely to be produced in the United States in the future because of the signing of a chemical treaty that bans the use, production, and stockpiling of poison gases.

Diisopropyl methylphosphonate is a colorless liquid. Other names for it are DIMP, diisopropyl methane-phosphonate, phosphonic acid, and methyl-bis-(1-methylethyl)ester.

---

What happens to diisopropyl methylphosphonate when it enters the environment?

• Most diisopropyl methylphosphonate enters the groundwater or surface water.
• Most will not enter the air since it does not easily evaporate.
• It does not easily break down in the environment.
• It can stay in water and soil for years.
• Diisopropyl methylphosphonate can enter the soil through the flow of irrigation water.
• Plants can store diisopropyl methylphosphonate.
• It may enter the food chain when animals eat the plants containing it.

---

How might I be exposed to diisopropyl methylphosphonate?

• Most people would not be exposed to diisopropyl methylphosphonate.
• Living near the site (the Rocky Mountain Arsenal) where Sarin was produced and stored.
• Drinking contaminated water.
• Eating vegetables irrigated by water contaminated with diisopropyl methylphosphonate.

---

How can diisopropyl methylphosphonate affect my health?

Little is known about the effects of diisopropyl methylphosphonate on people's health. Skin rashes were seen in some people who handled dead animals near a pond containing diisopropyl methylphosphonate and other chemicals, but it is not known whether diisopropyl methylphosphonate or another chemical caused the effects.

Animal studies have not shown liver or kidneys problems, infertility, or birth defects after the animals ate or drank diisopropyl methylphosphonate. Some effects on the blood and nervous system have been seen in animals who ate or drank diisopropyl methylphosphonate at high levels.

---

How likely is diisopropyl methylphosphonate to cause cancer?

The EPA has concluded that diisopropyl methylphosphonate is not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans.

No carcinogenicity studies on diisopropyl methylphosphonate are available in people or animals.

---

Is there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to diisopropyl methylphosphonate?

Once inside the body, diisopropyl methylphosphonate is rapidly converted to isopropyl methylphosphonic acid (IMPA), which is rapidly cleared from the blood. Tests can measure IMPA in the blood or urine. However, these tests are useful only for recent exposure because IMPA leaves the body rapidly.

---

Has the federal government made recommendations to protect human health?

The EPA advises that adults should not drink water containing more than 0.6 milligrams of diisopropyl methylphosphonate per liter (0.6 mg/L) of water for a lifetime. They also advise that children should not drink water containing more than 8 mg/L of diisopropyl methylphosphonate for a 1-day or longer period.

---

Glossary

Carcinogenicity: Ability to cause cancer.

CAS: Chemical Abstracts Service.

Milligram (mg): One thousandth of a gram.

---

References

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). 1998. Toxicological Profile for diisopropyl methylphosphonate. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.

---

Where can I get more information?

If you have questions or concerns, please contact your community or state health or environmental quality department or:

For more information, contact:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-57
Atlanta, GA 30329-4027
Phone: 1-800-CDC-INFO · 888-232-6348 (TTY)
Email: Contact CDC-INFO

ATSDR can also tell you the location of occupational and environmental health clinics. These clinics specialize in recognizing, evaluating, and treating illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous substances.

Information line and technical assistance:
Phone: 888-422-8737

To order toxicological profiles, contact:
National Technical Information Service
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, VA 22161
Phone: 800-553-6847 or 703-605-6000

Disclaimer
Some PDF files may be electronic conversions from paper copy or other electronic ASCII text files. This conversion may have resulted in character translation or format errors. Users are referred to the original paper copy of the toxicological profile for the official text, figures, and tables. Original paper copies can be obtained via the directions on the toxicological profile home page, which also contains other important information about the profiles.

The information contained here was correct at the time of publication. Please check with the appropriate agency for any changes to the regulations or guidelines cited.