Where It Comes From
A triazinone herbicide used on soybeans, potatoes, tomatoes, and other crops; it can move from fields into soil and water [1][2].
How You Are Exposed
Eating treated produce, drinking contaminated private well water, or during mixing/spraying and drift near fields [1][2].
Why It Matters
Short-term exposure can irritate skin/eyes and cause nausea; high doses in animals affected liver and thyroid. It can reach groundwater [1][2][3].
Who Is at Risk
Farmworkers/applicators, people living near treated fields, and private well users in farming areas; infants/children are more vulnerable [1][2].
How to Lower Your Exposure
Follow label and wear PPE when using; stay away during spraying; rinse/peel produce; test private wells and use activated carbon or reverse osmosis if needed [1][2][4].
References
- [1]U.S. EPA. Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for Metribuzin. EPA 738-R-03-015. 2003.
- [2]U.S. EPA. Metribuzin: Human Health Risk Assessment for Registration Review. 2016.
- [3]WHO/FAO JMPR. Metribuzin (evaluation in Pesticide Residues in Food). 2014/2016.
- [4]CDC. Private Wells: Water Treatment Options for Household Use. 2023.