Where It Comes From
Agricultural use; residues can remain in soil and on treated plants, and can move with spray drift or runoff into nearby areas [3][1].
How You Are Exposed
Mixing, loading, or applying products; being near recently treated fields; eating unwashed produce with residues; drinking contaminated water; or contacting contaminated clothing/equipment [1][3].
Why It Matters
Symptoms can include headache, nausea, sweating, blurred vision, muscle twitching, breathing trouble, seizures, and, in severe cases, death. Repeated low-level exposure may lead to lasting nervous system effects. It is also very toxic to birds and aquatic life [1][2].
Who Is at Risk
Farmworkers and applicators, families living near treated fields, infants and children, pregnant people, and pets/livestock [1][2].
How to Lower Your Exposure
Follow posted re-entry intervals; close windows and stay indoors during nearby spraying; wash and peel produce; use proper protective gear for any handling; launder work clothes separately; keep kids and pets away from recently treated areas; check local water/health advisories [1][2][3].
References
- [1]U.S. EPA. Recognizing and Managing Pesticide Poisonings, 7th ed. 2019.
- [2]ATSDR. Case Studies in Environmental Medicine: Cholinesterase Inhibitors (Including Pesticides).
- [3]WHO/FAO. Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) evaluation: Sulprofos.