Where It Comes From
Public health vector control, household pest control, and some agricultural uses; residues can remain on treated walls, dust, soil, and crops. [1][2]
How You Are Exposed
Breathing spray or dust during/after application; skin contact with treated surfaces; eating residues on food; drinking contaminated water; occupational handling. [2][3]
Why It Matters
Overexposure can cause headache, sweating, nausea/vomiting, pinpoint pupils, wheezing, confusion, seizures, and breathing failure; effects usually improve once exposure stops because inhibition is reversible. [2][3]
Who Is at Risk
Pesticide applicators and mixers; residents of recently sprayed homes; children; people with asthma or heart/lung disease. [1][3]
How to Lower Your Exposure
Follow labels; keep people and pets out until sprays dry and rooms are ventilated; wash hands and produce; store and dispose pesticides safely; workers should use PPE and consider cholinesterase monitoring. [2][3][4]
References
- [1]WHO. The WHO recommended classification of pesticides by hazard and guidelines to classification. World Health Organization, 2020.
- [2]US EPA. Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for Bendiocarb. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
- [3]ATSDR. Case Studies in Environmental Medicine: Cholinesterase Inhibitors Including Pesticides and Chemical Warfare Nerve Agents. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
- [4]US EPA. Worker Protection Standard (WPS) for Agricultural Pesticides. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.