Question- What is metam sodium and what is its potentially harmful environmental degradation product?
Answer- Metam sodium (sodium N-methyldithiocarbamate), a liquid dithiocarbamate, is widely used as a soil fumigant, pesticide, herbicide, and fungicide in agricultural practices, with relatively low acute toxicity. However, upon exposure to the environment, the chemical degrades to methyl isothiocyanate, a low melting and powerful lachrymator. (https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6714a2.htm?s_cid=mm6714a2_w; accessed June 2018)
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