Toxicity and Uses of Folpet

Folpet (CAS 133-07-3) is an N-(trichloromethyl[thio]phthalimide) fungicide/biocide that has been in use since the 1950s. Folpet is a contact fungicide with a broad spectrum of action. It is used in treatments of agricultural products (food, feed, and ornamental plants) and noncrop uses, including materials protection in paints, coatings, and plastics. Folpet is effective for prevention of fungal growth due to its fungicidal properties.

Uses

Folpet is a contact fungicide with a broad spectrum of action. It is used in treatments of agricultural products (food, feed, and ornamental plants) and noncrop uses, including materials protection in paints, coatings, and plastics. Folpet is effective for prevention of fungal growth due to its biocidal properties.

Mechanism of Toxicity      

Both folpet and its reactive metabolite, thiophosgene, interact with thiol groups and denature proteins. This reaction is responsible for its fungicidal/biocidal activity and its cellular toxicity in mammals. Due to the toxicokinetics of this degradation, folpet toxicity in mammals is generally limited to local irritation effects at the site of contact.

Folpet rapidly degrades in both aquatic and terrestrial environments, with a reported half-life ranging from 2.6 h to 2 days. The dissipation of folpet in the environment is considered to be dependent on its hydrolysis in water and on microbial-mediated degradation. Its rate of hydrolysis is greatly influenced by pH, with more rapid hydrolysis observed at higher, more alkaline pH levels.