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Oxytetracycline

General Information

• Chemical Class: Tetracycline antibiotic
• Uses: control of bacteria, fungi, and mycoplasma-like organisms. The majority of oxytetracycline is used on pears. Other crops treated include peaches, nectarines, and apples. Oxytetracycline use on apples has been approved under emergency exemption (Section 18) for several years due to the lack of efficacious alternatives. also registered for use on forest trees and ornamental trees, shrubs, and vines. Oxytetracycline is also registered with FDA to treat infectious diseases in animals and humans and also as a food additive to increase animal weight gain.
• Alternatives: Agriculture
• Beyond Pesticides rating: Toxic

Health Effects

• EPA Acute Toxicity Class: Not documented
• Cancer: Not documented
• Endocrine Disruption: Not documented
• Reproductive Effects: Not documented
• Neurotoxicity: Not documented
• Kidney/ Liver Damage: Not documented
• Sensitizer/ Irritant: Not documented
• Birth/ Developmental Defects: Yes (21)
• "There are concerns Oxytetracycline use as a pesticide will contribute to antibiotic resistance" (TRED)

Environmental Effects

• Detected in Groundwater: Not documented
• Detected in Streams: Not documented
• Potential Leacher: Not documented
• Toxic to Birds: Not documented
• Toxic to Fish/ Aquatic Organisms: Not documented
• Toxic to Bees: Not documented
• Toxic to Mammals: Not documented
• Long-Range Transport: Not documented

Additional Information

• Regulatory Information:
  • Tolerance Reassessment Progress and Risk Management Decision signed 6/2006
• Supporting information:
  • PAN Pesticides Database: Oxytetracycline (Pesticide Action Network)