Gateway on Pesticide Hazards and Safe Pest Management

Primisulfuron-methyl

General Information

• Product Names:
  Beacon (Syngenta)
  Exceed (Syngenta)
  Spirit (Syngenta) formulated with Prosulfuron
  Northstar (Syngenta) formulated with Dicamba

• Chemical Class: Sulfonylurea herbicide
• Uses: Broad spectrum herbicide used on corn
• Alternatives: Organic agriculture
• Beyond Pesticides rating: Toxic

Health and Environmental Effects

• Cancer: Not documented
• Endocrine Disruption: Not documented
• Reproductive Effects: Not documented
• Neurotoxicity: Not documented
• Kidney/Liver Damage: Yes (4)
• Sensitizer/ Irritant: Yes (4)
• Birth/Developmental Not documented
• Detected in Groundwater: Not documented
• Potential Leacher: Not documented
• Toxic to Birds: Not documented
• Toxic to Fish/Aquatic Organisms: Not documented
• Toxic to Bees: Not documented

Additional Information

• Regulatory Status:
  • EPA Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) (revised 06/2006)
• Supporting information:
  • PAN Pesticides Database: Primisulfuron-methyl
  • Extension Toxicology Network (EXTONET)