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Name: Rotenone
Chemical Formula: C23H22O6
Common Uses: Rotenone finds use as a botanical insecticide and piscicide, mostly in agricultural and fishery settings. Derived from the roots of several tropical and subtropical plants, especially those in the legume family, it targets pests by disrupting cell respiration.
Physical Form: Rotenone appears as a colorless to slightly yellowish crystalline solid. In pure form, it does not carry any distinct odor. Commercial versions may include powder or emulsifiable concentrate formulations.
Hazard Class: Rotenone can present moderate toxicity by inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact. It holds risk as a respiratory irritant and eye irritant.
Health Hazards: Symptoms after exposure can include vomiting, muscle tremor, difficulty breathing, and nausea. Higher doses may impact the nervous system and could result in convulsions or respiratory distress.
Environmental Hazards: Rotenone is particularly dangerous to fish and aquatic organisms. Effects on bees and beneficial insects vary, often depending on concentration and contact.
Chronic Effects: Lab studies link prolonged exposure to neurological symptoms resembling Parkinson’s disease. Most field incidents occur via improper application or handling shortcuts.
Active Ingredient: Rotenone, concentration varies between 5% and 95% in formulated products.
Other Ingredients: Formulations commonly include various inert carriers such as kaolin, additives to help solubility, and sometimes other plant-derived insecticides. Fewer commercial blends include synergists or stabilizers, but ingredient lists rarely disclose everything in detail.
Inhalation: Move to fresh air immediately. If symptoms are severe, such as difficulty breathing or persistent dizziness, seek medical attention without delay.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and wash skin with soap and water. Avoid rubbing affected area.
Eye Contact: Flush eyes gently with clean water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and not adhering.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Rinse mouth thoroughly and seek immediate medical help if large amounts are swallowed or symptoms develop.
Fire Hazards: Rotenone itself is not known to be highly flammable, but dusts derived from powder forms can ignite.
Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, dry chemical, foam, or carbon dioxide on fires that involve rotenone-containing materials.
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should use self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing. Avoid inhalation of smoke and fumes.
Personal Precautions: Protective gloves, safety goggles, and a dust mask reduce risks during cleanup. Don’t sweep or disturb powders unnecessarily. Ventilate enclosed spaces.
Spills on Land: Collect powders or granules using damp methods or HEPA-equipped vacuum. Dispose of in accordance with disposal guidelines.
Spills in Water: Prevent further contamination, especially runoff to waterways, as rotenone can be lethal to aquatic life.
Safe Handling: Wear gloves, long sleeves, closed-toe shoes, and safety glasses during use. Avoid inhaling any dust and minimize skin contact.
Storage Conditions: Store in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry, ventilated area away from sunlight, sources of ignition, or food and feed supplies. Keep away from children and unauthorized individuals.
Incompatible Materials: Oxidizing agents and acidic solutions can interact with rotenone, so keep materials separated.
Exposure Limits: There isn’t an established OSHA or ACGIH exposure limit for rotenone, but minimizing exposure is key.
Personal Protective Equipment: Gloves resistant to chemicals, protective goggles or a face shield, long sleeves, and a dust mask or respirator if airborne concentrations increase.
Engineering Controls: Provide sufficient ventilation, especially during mixing or application. Use local exhaust or general ventilation to avoid accumulation of dust or vapors.
Appearance: Crystalline solid, colorless to yellowish.
Odor: Mild, almost undetectable.
Melting Point: Approximately 156°C.
Solubility: Sparingly soluble in water, more so in organic solvents such as alcohols, chloroform, and acetone.
Stability: Decomposes slowly in the presence of light or air. Exposure to acidic solutions can quicken breakdown.
Chemical Stability: Rotenone remains stable when kept sealed and protected from light and air. Elevated heat can degrade the active compound.
Reactivity: Contact with strong oxidizers or acids prompts breakdown, leading to loss of efficacy and formation of irritating fumes.
Decomposition Products: Decomposition in open air releases carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and various organic fragments.
Acute Toxicity: Human toxicity depends on exposure route and amount. Oral doses above normal agricultural exposures lead to nausea, muscle tremors, and severe respiratory distress.
Long-Term Effects: Links to neurodegenerative symptoms surface in animal studies with repeated exposure.
Carcinogenicity: No clear links established in human studies, but regulators require careful consideration given its impact on non-target organisms and neurological impact in lab animals.
Sensitization: Some individuals develop mild skin or respiratory irritation after repeated contact.
Aquatic Impact: Rotenone proves lethal to fish, amphibians, and some invertebrates at very low concentrations. Waterways see larger risks after spills or runoff from mixing areas.
Persistence: Breaks down in sunlight and soil, but persistence increases in cool, shaded, or low-oxygen environments.
Bioaccumulation: Not expected to strongly bioaccumulate in higher animals, but rapid fish mortality makes it controversial for aquatic management.
Impact on Non-Target Species: Birds and mammals tolerate rotenone better, but broad-spectrum effects disrupt overall ecosystem balance if misapplied.
Contaminated Waste: Avoid washing powders or liquid waste into drains or natural waterways. Waste should go to an appropriate landfill or an incineration facility.
Container Disposal: Punctured or empty containers still hold risk, so rinse thoroughly and follow local disposal laws for pesticide packaging.
Regulatory Guidance: Many countries classify unused rotenone as hazardous waste, requiring proper paperwork and certified disposal.
Regulated Status: Many regions regulate rotenone shipments as hazardous material, especially bulk or technical grade product.
Packing Requirements: Leakproof, sealed containers ensure minimal environmental release during transport. Labels indicate environmental hazards and health risks.
Spill Response: Emergency plans focus on isolating spills, safeguarding waterways, and alerting local environmental authorities.
Legal Restrictions: Several regulatory agencies impose use restrictions or outright bans, especially in Europe and North America, due to toxicity and environmental risk.
Registration: Rotenone must be registered for use as a pesticide, and documentation must detail safe handling, application methods, and disposal.
Compliance: Recordkeeping and strict adherence to re-entry intervals and buffer zones protect workers, bystanders, and natural habitats.
