Where It Comes From
Agricultural use on crops; residues can be found on plants, soil, and equipment, and nabam can degrade to ETU in the environment and food [1].
How You Are Exposed
Eating produce with residues; skin contact or inhaling spray/drift when mixing or applying; contact with treated foliage or equipment; nearby residents may encounter drift [1][3].
Why It Matters
Can irritate skin, eyes, and airways; ETU can disrupt thyroid hormones, cause developmental effects in animals, and is classified by EPA as a probable human carcinogen based on animal data [1][2].
Who Is at Risk
Farmworkers and pesticide applicators; people living near treated fields; pregnant people and children; those with thyroid disease [1][3].
How to Lower Your Exposure
Wash and peel produce; avoid treated areas until sprays dry; workers should use proper PPE and follow labels/re-entry intervals; reduce drift and keep children/pets away during applications [1][3].
References
- [1]ATSDR. ToxFAQs for Ethylenebisdithiocarbamates (EBDCs).
- [2]EPA IRIS. Ethylenethiourea (ETU) assessment.
- [3]CDC/NIOSH. Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Nabam.