Imidan (Phthalimidomethy1-0,0-dimethy1-phosphorodithioate) 
Cotton plants were treated with c14_imidan. Although readily absorbed 
by treated leaves, the imidan was translocated in the plant. The major 
non-phosphate metabolites isolated consisted of phthalic and/or phthalamic 
acid, benzoic acid and possibly one or more benzoic acid derivatives. The 
thiol analog was not found and the presence of post-hydrolysis 0,0-dimethyl 
methoxymethylphosphorothionate indicated hydrolysis predominated over 
oxidation (Menn and McBain, 1964). 
After dermal application, imidan was moderately absorbed by the skin 
of a steer. Approximately 9.6% of the applied dose was recovered in 
excreta within 7 days and less than 2% from blood. The principal route of 
elimination was via the urine in which almost 8% of the applied dose was 
recovered within 7 days. Paper chromatography and electrophoresis indi- 
cated that the primary metabolic products were phthalamic and phthalic 
acids. The presence of benzoic acid, a decarboxylation product of phthalic 
acid, was indicated also but not conclusively proven (Chamberlain, 1965). 
In rats, 79% of the administered dose was eliminated via the urine 
and 19% via the feces. About 2.6% remained in tissues. Hydrolysis pre- 
dominated as in the steer and cotton plant (Ford et al., 1966). 
Phthalamic and phthalic acids were found as metabolic or hydrolysis 
end products also in water, the German cockroach [Blatella germanica (L.)], 
and the rat (Menn et al., 1965b). Hydrolysis of imidan occurred in soils; 
and tests indicated that this was not dependent on moisture alone but was 
due in some degree to microbial action. [In dry sandy loam soil, the time 
for 50% degradation was 19 days, compared to 3 days in moist soil (Menn 
et al., 1965a). 
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