ABSTRACT
Zinc N-dimethyldithiocarbamate (Ziram) may be released into the environment as a dust or aerosol or in wastewater during its manufacture and use as an agricultural and industrial fungicide and vulcanization accelerator in the rubber-processing industry. Ziram would adsorb moderately to the soil or sediment. In the atmosphere, ziram would primarily exist as an aerosol or dust and be subject to gravitational settling. It is reportedly degraded by Ultraviolet (UV) light but no photolysis rates could be found in the literature. Ziram is decomposed by acids and UV radiation, but is otherwise stable. Under acidic conditions, dimethyldithiocarbamates readily decompose to form carbon disulfide and dimethylamine. It is likely that ziram also complexes with cupric ions in soil as the fungicide readily forms a copper complex in the presence of copper sulfate. Human exposure is primarily occupational via inhalation and dermal contact. In agricultural applications, ziram is applied as a spray to fruits and vegetables.
