Residue determination of ethylenethiourea (2-imidazolidinethione) from tomato foliage, soil, and water

Determination of ethylenethiourea in urine by liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation–mass spectrometry for monitoring background levels in the general population

“…Ethylenethiourea (ETU) is the primary degradation product of ethylenebisdithiocarbamates (EBDCs) [1,2], which include some of the most widely used fungicides in agriculture. Although EBDCs are characterised by their low toxicity, ETU is of much greater toxicological concern due to is suspected causation of pathological effects including goitrogenic and potential carcinogenic effects [3][4][5][6].…”

Application of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the determination of urinary ethylenethiourea in humans

“…Ethylenethiourea (ETU) is both a degradation product of ethylenebisdithiocarbamate fungicides (EBDTC) [1][2] and a urinary metabolite of these chemicals in mammals [3]. While EBDTC are characterized by low acute and chronic toxicity, ETU showed a large spectrum of adverse effects in experimental animals, mainly concerning developmental toxicity and goiterogenic action, the latter related to the inhibition, then followed by a compensative increase, of the synthesis of thyroid stimulating hormones.…”

Residue Reviews

“…Degradation of EBDCs to ETU during analysis and derivatization procedures has also been reported by Nash (1974) and others. Blazquez (1973), using a modified method based on Czegledi-Janko (1967) and Fishbein and Fawkes (1965) methods for EBDC formulations, found it possible to detect residues ofETU as low as 1 mg/kg in tomato foliage, soil, and water. He also reported for the first time the breakdown of EBDCs during hot extraction (i.e., boiling at 100°C for 10 min).…”

“…1977, Ripley and Simpson 1977, Ripley et ai. 1978, Blazquez 1973, Farrow and Ralls 1970, Onley et ai. 1977, Utracki and Kolodziejczyk 1980, Casanova and Dachaud 1977 ETU has been reported to be goiterogenic (Seifter et ai.…”