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Updates from the Daily News Blog

Organophosphate Pesticide Drift from Agricultural Fields Elevates Risk for Pregnant Farmworkers
October 28, 2025

Third Biological Opinion Finds Pesticides Jeopardize Endangered Species
September 8, 2010

Lawsuit Filed To Speed Phase-Out of Deadly Pesticides
February 6, 2007

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Phosmet

General Information

• Product Names:

  Zoecon (Wellmark)
  Imidan (Gowan)
  Fireban fire ant insecticide (Gowam)

• Chemical Class: Organophosphorus
• Uses: Control fleas, lice, hornflies, sarcoptic mange, ticks.
• Alternatives: Organic agriculture, Least-toxic insect control
• Beyond Pesticides rating: Toxic

Health and Environmental Effects

• Cancer: Suggestive (1)
• Endocrine Disruption: Not documented
• Reproductive Effects: Not documented
• Neurotoxicity: Yes (2)
• Kidney/Liver Damage: Yes (1)
• Sensitizer/ Irritant: Not documented
• Birth/Developmental: Not documented
• Detected in Groundwater: Not documented
• Potential Leacher: Not documented
• Toxic to Birds: Yes (3)
• Toxic to Fish/Aquatic Organisms: Not documented
• Toxic to Bees: Yes (1)

Additional Information

• Regulatory Status:
  • EPA Reregistration Eligibility Decision (revised 03/2008)
• Supporting information:
  • PAN Pesticides Database: Phosmet
  • Extension Toxicology Network (EXTONET)
• Studies [compiled from the Pesticide-Induced Diseases Database]
  • Prenatal pesticide exposure and childhood leukemia - A California statewide case-control study. Park, A.S., Ritz, B., Yu, F., Cockburn, M. and Heck, J.E., 2020. International journal of hygiene and environmental health, 226, p.113486.
  • Temporal trends of agricultural organophosphate pesticide use in California and proximity to pregnant people in 2021. Rotkin-Ellman, M., Carpenter, C., Richardson, M.J. et al. Temporal trends of agricultural organophosphate pesticide use in California and proximity to pregnant people in 2021. BMC Public Health 25, 3121 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23939-y