Where It Comes From
Applied in agriculture (e.g., potatoes, tomatoes, citrus, cotton); breaks down in soil but is very soluble and can move with water [1][2].
How You Are Exposed
Mixing, loading, or spraying; re-entering treated fields; drift to nearby homes; residues on produce; private wells in farm areas [1][3].
Why It Matters
Causes cholinesterase inhibition—headache, sweating, nausea, blurred vision, breathing trouble; severe cases can be life‑threatening. EPA rates it highest acute toxicity; WHO hazard classification indicates very high acute toxicity [1][2].
Who Is at Risk
Farmworkers and applicators; children; people living near treated fields; those using shallow groundwater wells in agricultural areas [1][3].
How to Lower Your Exposure
For applicators: follow labels, use PPE, and respect buffers/re‑entry intervals. For households: wash/peel produce; keep kids/pets away from treated areas; prevent drift; test well water if near fields [1][3][4].
References
- [1]U.S. EPA. Oxamyl: Revised Human Health Risk Assessment for Registration Review. 2020.
- [2]WHO. Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard and Guidelines to Classification. 2019/2020.
- [3]National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC). Oxamyl General Fact Sheet.
- [4]CDC. Food Safety: Fruits and Vegetables (produce-washing guidance).