Where It Comes From
A common ingredient in “weed-and-feed” and turf herbicide products; used on lawns, rights-of-way, and some crops. It can wash into streams and sometimes reach groundwater. [1][2]
How You Are Exposed
Touching treated grass or soil, breathing spray mist or drift, hand-to-mouth contact (especially for kids and pets), and occasionally through drinking water or food. [1][2]
Why It Matters
Short-term exposure can irritate eyes and skin and may cause nausea, vomiting, or headache; very high doses affected liver and kidneys in animals. Current evidence does not show clear cancer risk in people; IARC classifies mecoprop as “not classifiable” (Group 3). [1][2][3]
Who Is at Risk
People who mix/apply it, children playing on recently treated lawns, and households using private wells near treated areas. [1][2]
How to Lower Your Exposure
Follow the label; wear gloves, long sleeves, and eye protection; keep kids and pets off treated areas until dry; avoid windy-day spraying; clean shoes and wash hands; prevent runoff; consider non-chemical weed control. [1][2]
References
- [1]US EPA. Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for Mecoprop-p (MCPP-p). Office of Pesticide Programs.
- [2]WHO/FAO Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR). Mecoprop (MCPP) evaluation and guidance values.
- [3]IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Mecoprop (Group 3: not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans).