Where It Comes From
Agricultural pesticide used in crop protection; U.S. registrations are canceled. It may be found around farms where it was applied, mixed, stored, or disposed. [2][4]
How You Are Exposed
Skin contact, inhaling spray or vapors, or swallowing residues during mixing/spraying, working in treated fields, drift from nearby applications, or contaminated food or well water. [3][4]
Why It Matters
Overexposure can cause headache, nausea, sweating, pinpoint pupils, muscle twitching, breathing trouble, seizures, and can be fatal; repeated low levels can depress cholinesterase and impair nerve function. [1][3][4]
Who Is at Risk
Pesticide applicators and field workers, people living near treated fields, children playing on contaminated surfaces, and responders handling spills or contaminated equipment. [2][3][4]
How to Lower Your Exposure
Avoid treated areas during and after spraying, follow label directions and re-entry intervals, wear proper PPE, wash produce, keep pesticides out of the home, and consider testing private wells near farms. [2][3][5]
References
- [1]WHO. The WHO recommended classification of pesticides by hazard.
- [2]U.S. EPA. Mevinphos (Phosdrin) — pesticide cancellation/tolerance actions (U.S. uses canceled).
- [3]CDC/NIOSH. Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Mevinphos.
- [4]WHO IPCS INCHEM. Poison Information Monograph (PIM 365): Mevinphos.
- [5]U.S. EPA. Pesticides and food: Steps to reduce residues (wash and prepare produce).