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Parathion/Ethyl Parathion

General Information

• Beyond Pesticides Parathion ChemWatch Factsheet
• Parathion product names
• Chemical Class: Organophosphate insecticide
• Uses: No registered uses Historically used on alfalfa, barley, canola, corn, cotton, sorghum, soybeans, sunflowers, and wheat.
• Alternatives: Agriculture
• Beyond Pesticides rating: Toxic

Health Effects

• EPA Acute Toxicity Class: I (highly toxic)
• Cancer: Possible (10)
• Endocrine Disruption: Probable (5)
• Reproductive Effects: Yes (4)
• Neurotoxicity: Yes (7)
• Kidney/ Liver Damage:Not documented
• Sensitizer/ Irritant: Not documented
• Birth/ Developmental Defects: Not documented

Environmental Effects

• Detected in Groundwater: Not documented
• Detected in Streams: Not documented
• Potential Leacher: Not documented
• Toxic to Birds: Yes (4)
• Toxic to Fish/ Aquatic Organisms: Yes (4)
• Toxic to Bees: Yes (19)
• Toxic to Mammals: Not documented
• Long-Range Transport: Not documented

Additional Information

• Regulatory Information:
  • All uses cancelled (effective 10/2003)
• Supporting information:
  • Extoxnet Parathion Factsheet (Extension Toxicology Network)
  • PAN Pesticides Database:Parathion (Pesticide Action Network)
  • ABC Parathion Factsheet (American Bird Conservancy)
• Key Studies: