What is "metam sodium"

n. (alternative spelling of metham sodium English)

Metam sodium is an organosulfur compound (formally a dithiocarbamate), which is used as a soil fumigant, pesticide, herbicide, and fungicide. It is one of the most widely used pesticides in the United States, with approximately 60 million pounds used in 2001. Metam sodium is the sodium salt of methyl dithiocarbamate.

Metam sodium can be prepared from methylamine, carbon disulfide, and sodium hydroxide; or from methyl isothiocyanate and sodium thiolate.

Upon exposure to the environment, metam sodium decomposes to form methyl isothiocyanate.