TERBUFOS

Agricultural fields where terbufos granules are applied to soil to control insects on crops (especially corn and other row crops) [1].

Workers mixing/applying or entering treated fields (skin contact, inhalation); nearby residents via dust or drift; residues on food; and, less often, runoff to private wells in farming areas [1][3].

Can cause headache, nausea, sweating, drooling, muscle twitching; severe cases may lead to breathing failure, seizures, or death. WHO classifies terbufos as extremely hazardous; EPA identifies neurotoxicity as the key risk [1][2][3].

Pesticide applicators and farmworkers; families near treated fields; children and pregnant people; individuals with low cholinesterase activity or taking cholinesterase‑inhibiting medicines [1][3].

Observe posted no‑entry times; keep people and pets away during application; wash/peel produce; for workers, use required PPE, closed systems, and cholinesterase monitoring; test farm‑area wells and consider activated‑carbon treatment if contaminated [1][3].