Overview

Propoxur is a non-systemic carbamate insecticide introduced in 1959 and manufactured by Bayer and registered for use in the United States by the EPA and the state of California (CDPR and EXTOXNET). It is highly toxic and used against many different pests and in many different combinations.

Chemical Description

Propoxur is a white powder that is soluble in water (INCHEM).

Overview
Molecular Weight: 209.2
Melting Point: 85.5 Degrees Celsius
Vapor Pressure: 3.75E-5 mm Hg at 28.9 Degrees Celsius
Henry's Law Constant: 1.859 g/L (water)
Chemical Formula: C ₁₁ H ₁₅ NO ₃
Absorption: dermal, inhalation, ingestion

Information Retrieved from (CDPR).

Use

Propoxur is used in many different formulations. According to INCHEM, the breakdown is as follows:
"Wettable powders 50%; dusts 2%, granules, oils, emulsifiable, concentrates 200 g/litre, pressurized sprays, smokes, baits of different, concentrations."

It is often combined with other Pesticides including Azinphos-Methyl, Chlorpyrifos, cyfluthrin, dichlorvos, Disulfoton, or methiocarb (EXTOXNET). Propoxur is used in both agricultural and non-agricultural settings including on dog-collars, wasp, bee, and cockroach spray, and in room foggers (CDPR and EXTOXNET).
It is often used on cane, cocoa, fruit, grapes, maize, rice, sugar, vegetables, cotton, lucerne, forestry, and ornamentals (EXTOXNET) to combat jassids, bugs, aphids, flies, mosquitos, cockroaches, ants, millepedes and other household pests (INCHEM).

Health Effects

Main Article: Cholinesterase Inhibitor
Propoxur is a highly toxic carbamate insecticide both acutely and chronically (CDPR and EXTOXNET). It is also thought to be a carcinogen, cardiovascular or blood toxicant, reproductive toxicant, and, due to its cholinesterase inhibiting properties, a neurotoxicant (Scorecard). It is not thought to be bioaccumulative (INCHEM).

Environmental Effects

Propoxur is moderately persistent in the environment and it does not bind well to soil so it easily leaches into groundwater (EXTOXNET and CDPR). It is highly soluble in water but, because of its weak low persistence in soil, it is only a moderately persistent contaminant (EXTOXNET).
In respect to organisms, propoxur very highly toxic to honeybees, many bird species (though the toxicity varies by species), and moderately toxic to aquatic organisms (EXTOXNET).

Trade Names

Arprocarb
Bay 9010
Baygon
Bayer 39007
Bifex
Blattanex
Brifur
Bolfo
BO Q 5812315
ENT 25671
Invisi-Gard
OMS 33
PHC
Pillargon
Prentox
Propogon
Proprotox
Propyon
Rhoden
Sendran
Suncide
Tendex
Tugen
Unden
Undene

External Links

References

Pesticide Action Network. "Pesticide Database - Chemicals - Propoxur". 2007. Accessed 9-25-07.

Extension Toxicology Network. "Pesticide Information Profile - Propoxur". June 1996. Accessed 9-25-07.

World Health's Organization International Program on Chemical Safety (INCHEM). "Data Sheets on Pesticides No. 24 - Propoxur. December 1976. Accessed 9-25-07.

California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR). "Propoxur - Risk Characterization Document". January 2, 1997. Accessed 9-25-07.