Description

Methyl parathion is a man-made insecticide. Pure methyl parathion exists as a white crystal while impure methyl parathion is a brown liquid that smells like rotten eggs. It is used mainly on farm crops including almonds, corn, dried beans, dried peas, onions, pecans, rice, rye, soybeans, sugar beets, wheat, white potatoes and especially cotton, but the EPA restricts its use to those who are specially trained. It may not be used on food crops that children commonly consume. The EPA regulates the amount of residue that can remain on food crops. It is limited to 0.1 to 1 ppm. The manufacturers have submitted a request to the EPA to cancel all uses of methyl parathion in the United States. The EPA approved the request, and it will no longer be permitted for use after December 31, 2012.

Health Effects

Immediate Health Effects

If SWALLOWED, methyl parathion is Not Available
If ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN, methyl parathion is Not Available
If INHALED (SNIFFED OR BREATHED IN), methyl parathion is Not Available

Longterm or Delayed Health Effects

Changes in mental state can remain for several months after exposure has ended
Suspected endocrine disruptor

Other

Interferes with nervous system
dizziness, headache, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, blurred vision, sweating
large doses can result in tremors, convulsions, respiratory paralysis and death

How Exposures Occur

Farm workers-individuals who work or live near farms that use methyl parathion can be exposed. Those living near landfills that have received methyl parathion waste can also be exposed.

Significant Statistics

It is illegal to use methyl parathion indoors. In 1998 a Michigan man was prosecuted for applying the chemical indoors while working as an uncertified pesticide applicator.

“Michigan Citizen Pleads Guilty to Illegal Methyl Parathion Application.” US EPA. January 9, 1998.

http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/b1ab9f485b098972852562e7004dc686/dcab6099cabe8b2c85256587006d14c9?OpenDocument.

Methyl parathion can remain in frozen food indefinitely.

Channels of Trade Policy for Commodities with Methyl Parathion Residues. US Food and Drug Administration. December 2000.

http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/GuidanceDocuments/ChemicalContaminantsandPesticides/ucm077952.htm.

Solutions

How to detect methyl parathion

There is no way to tell if your food or cotton products were treated with methyl parathion. Choose organic to be sure. Make sure anyone who treats your home with pesticides is certified to ensure they know what chemicals are appropriate and that they know how to safely use them.

How to minimize exposure to methyl parathion

Avoid fields where methyl parathion was recently sprayed. Do not allow children to play in soil near farms that use it or near disposal sites where it may have been dumped.

Alternatives

The pesticide will be phased out by the end of 2012. Buying organic can limit your exposure to this and other pesticides.

For More information

Books, articles, factsheets and reports

Methyl Parathion Factsheet. Illinois Department of Public Health.

http://www.idph.state.il.us/public/hb/hbmeth.htm

Other government agencies

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

4770 Buford Hwy NE
Atlanta, GA 30341
800-DCD-INFO
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/

US Food and Drug Administration

10903 New Hampshire Ave.
Silver Spring, MD 20993
1-888-INFO-FDA
http://www.fda.gov/default.htm

US Environmental Protection Agency

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20460-0003
(202) 272-0167
http://www.epa.gov/

Nonprofit organizations

Pesticide Action Network

49 Powell St., Suite 500
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 981-1771
http://www.panna.org/

methyl parathion