What is chlorpyrifos pesticide used for?

Chlorpyrifos is a strong insecticide and pesticide. It helps control many kinds of pests in many places. Farmers use chlorpyrifos to stop bugs from hurting crops. These crops include corn, soybeans, cotton, fruit, and nut trees. People at home use this pesticide for flies, cockroaches, and ants. Veterinarians use chlorpyrifos in cattle ear tags to keep animals safe. Health experts worry about chlorpyrifos exposure, especially for kids. This has led to new rules in many areas.

Key Takeaways

• Chlorpyrifos is a strong pesticide. It is used mostly in farming. It helps protect crops from bugs like aphids and termites.

• Health experts say chlorpyrifos can hurt kids’ brain growth. This can cause problems with learning and moving.

• Farmers must follow strict rules when using pesticides. These rules help keep food safe to eat.

• Chlorpyrifos is not used much at home now because of health worries. Only trained workers can use it in special cases.

• Washing fruits and vegetables before eating helps lower pesticide leftovers. This makes eating them safer.

Chlorpyrifos overview

Chemical properties

Chlorpyrifos is part of a group called organophosphate insecticides. It has special chemical features that help it kill pests:

• Chlorpyrifos stops acetylcholinesterase, which is an enzyme in insects. This makes acetylcholine build up in their nerves.

• Its chemical structure lets it get into insects many ways. It can go through their skin, mouth, or breathing system. This helps it work better.

• Chlorpyrifos keeps working for a long time after it is used. It stays on surfaces and keeps protecting crops and homes.

• The compound breaks down in nature. It turns into something called 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol. How fast this happens depends on temperature and pH.

These things make chlorpyrifos good for fighting many pests in different places.

Pest control mechanism

Chlorpyrifos attacks the nervous system of insects. It works in a few steps:

• Inside the insect, it changes to CPYO. This new form sticks tightly to acetylcholinesterase.

• The phosphorus atom in CPYO reacts fast. This makes the enzyme stop working.

• When acetylcholinesterase cannot do its job, acetylcholine builds up. This makes the insect’s nerves too active.

• The insect gets paralyzed and then dies.

Chlorpyrifos works like other organophosphate insecticides. But it does not work well on insects that are already resistant to these chemicals.

Note: Chlorpyrifos is still used a lot because it kills many kinds of pests and lasts a long time. But people must use it safely to protect humans and animals.

Uses of chlorpyrifos

Agricultural applications

Farmers in many countries use chlorpyrifos to keep crops safe from bugs. This pesticide works on lots of pests. It helps farmers grow more and better food. Some main crops sprayed with chlorpyrifos are apples, oranges, wheat, citrus, soybeans, cotton, fruit, nut trees, vegetables, and grain. The table below shows how some countries use chlorpyrifos on their crops:

Farmers use chlorpyrifos to fight bugs like aphids and the Asian citrus psyllid. These insects can hurt crops and make them worth less money. When farmers spray this pesticide, they want to stop pests and save their harvest. But if they do not use it right, chlorpyrifos can stay on fruits, vegetables, and grains. These leftovers are called residues. People who eat food with too much residue might get sick. That is why there are rules about how much residue can be on food.

Chlorpyrifos also helps protect crops from termites, mosquitoes, and roundworms. These pests can ruin roots, leaves, and fruit. Bad pests can make food unsafe or not good enough to sell. Using this pesticide helps farmers send cleaner food to stores. Farmers must follow rules to keep residues low and keep people safe.

Note: Food is tested often for pesticide residues. This makes sure the food does not have too much pesticide and stays safe to eat.

Residential and pet uses

Chlorpyrifos used to be common in homes and for pets. People used it to kill cockroaches, fleas, termites, and other bugs inside and outside. It also kept lawns and garden plants safe from insects. In the past, pet owners used flea collars with chlorpyrifos to stop biting bugs.

The table below shows how using chlorpyrifos at home has changed:

Now, most people cannot buy chlorpyrifos for their homes. Only some experts can use it for special jobs. Flea collars with chlorpyrifos are hard to find because of new rules. Today, people mostly come into contact with chlorpyrifos from food, not from pets.

In the past, chlorpyrifos helped control termites, mosquitoes, and roundworms in homes. These pests can harm buildings and spread sickness. Even though the pesticide worked well, worries about health and residues led to stricter rules. Now, people use other ways to keep homes and pets safe.

Tip: Wash fruits and vegetables before eating. This helps remove pesticide residues and keeps you safer.

Crops treated

Field crops

Farmers in the United States use chlorpyrifos to protect important field crops from bugs. This pesticide helps farmers grow more crops and lose less to pests. The main field crops sprayed are:

• Corn (field, sweet, and seed types)

• Soybean

• Sorghum

• Wheat

• Alfalfa

How much chlorpyrifos is used and how many crops get sprayed can change. The table below shows how much is used for each crop type:

Farmers spray at different times of the year. For example, tree crops in California get more sprays in winter. Corn fields get sprayed most in summer. This helps fight bugs when they are most active.

Fruits and vegetables

Chlorpyrifos helps protect many fruits and vegetables from insects. Farmers use it to keep produce safe and good to eat. Some fruits and vegetables that get sprayed are:

• Apples

• Asparagus

• Cherries

• Citrus fruits (like oranges and grapefruits)

• Peaches

• Sugar beets

• Lettuce

• Cucumbers

• Kale

• Snap peas

• Sweet potatoes

• Canned tomatoes

Tip: Wash fruits and vegetables before you eat them. This can help lower pesticide residues.

Nuts and citrus

Nuts and citrus crops also get help from chlorpyrifos. Almonds, walnuts, and pecans can get hurt by bugs. Citrus groves, like oranges and grapefruits, need protection from pests such as the Asian citrus psyllid. Farmers spray these crops to keep them healthy and stop pest problems.

Chlorpyrifos is still used a lot to fight pests in many crops. But farmers must follow rules to keep food safe and protect the environment.

Effects on children and health concerns

Neurotoxic risks

Chlorpyrifos is a harmful pesticide that can hurt children’s health. Scientists have found that it can cause many problems. The biggest worry is how it affects the brain and body movement. If children get poisoned by chlorpyrifos, their brains might not grow right. The table below lists some brain risks and what can happen:

If a baby is exposed before birth, it can cause problems as they grow. Studies show these children may be slow to develop. They might get lower scores on tests for thinking and moving. The table below shows these results:

Researchers learned that being exposed before birth and living in poor areas makes things worse. These problems can last a long time. They can make school and daily life harder.

Note: Both studies with people and animals help experts learn how being exposed before birth can hurt brain growth.

Exposure near schools and homes

Kids who live near sprayed fields or homes with chlorpyrifos are at higher risk. In New York City, scientists checked blood from moms and babies. Kids born before the 2001 ban had much more chlorpyrifos in their bodies. Out of 180 babies born before the ban, 51 had high levels. Only 1 out of 86 babies born after the ban had high levels. High exposure was linked to lower test scores.

Kids living near sprayed fields can have:

1. Lower scores on tests for thinking and moving.

2. A higher chance of autism spectrum disorders if exposed before birth.

3. Changes in brain structure linked to chlorpyrifos.

• There is a strong link between chlorpyrifos in umbilical cords and lower birth weight.

• Being exposed at important times can slow down how a baby grows.

Chlorpyrifos in homes and neighborhoods can be dangerous for kids. It can cause problems with learning, brain growth, and other health issues. Parents and schools need to know about these dangers to help keep kids safe from this pesticide.

Regulations

Legal status in the US and EU

Rules about chlorpyrifos have changed in the US and EU. In the US, the EPA makes and checks pesticide rules. Some court decisions changed the legal status of chlorpyrifos. The timeline below shows important events:

The EPA keeps checking if chlorpyrifos can be used. Farmers and companies watch for new rules. Some states have their own rules, especially where people might get exposed.

In the EU, leaders are more strict about chlorpyrifos. The renewal process for chlorpyrifos-methyl started in 2013. The steps below show what happened in the EU:

1. Companies asked to renew chlorpyrifos-methyl in 2013.

2. Missing data made the EU ask for more information in 2015.

3. Spain sent a renewal report to EFSA in 2017.

4. The European Commission gave three one-year extensions after 2016.

5. In August 2019, EFSA said chlorpyrifos-methyl did not meet health rules.

6. The European Commission suggested a ban in December 2019, and it was approved.

Now, the EU bans chlorpyrifos because of health worries. Most countries in the EU do not let people use it, especially where kids could be exposed.

Note: Both the US and EU want to protect people from chlorpyrifos, especially near homes and schools.

International guidelines

Groups around the world make rules to keep people safe from pesticides. The European Food Safety Authority says there is no safe level for chlorpyrifos. The European Commission does not plan to allow it after approval ends. Experts are worried about brain and gene risks.

The World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization check studies on how toxic chlorpyrifos is. Chlorpyrifos can hurt people and other living things. The safe daily amount is now only 0–0.01 mg for each kg of body weight. Rules include bans and taking away tolerances in the US and EU.

International rules try to lower exposure and keep people healthy. Countries use these rules to help stop risks from pesticides.

Tip: People should learn about local and world rules to stay safe from pesticides.

Chlorpyrifos is used in different ways to control pests. Farmers spray it on crops to stop bugs like termites and mosquitoes. People at home can only use it in special bait boxes now. For pets, cattle ear tags with chlorpyrifos help keep away harmful bugs.

Health experts say chlorpyrifos can hurt children’s brains and slow their growth. Because of these dangers, many countries have stopped or limited its use. The table below lists some new rules:

It is important to know the rules about chlorpyrifos. This helps keep families safe and makes sure people follow the law.

FAQ

What pests does chlorpyrifos control?

Chlorpyrifos kills bugs like aphids, termites, mosquitoes, roundworms, and cockroaches. Farmers use it to keep crops safe from these pests. Pest control workers use it to protect homes and animals.

Is chlorpyrifos safe for children?

Health experts say chlorpyrifos can hurt children’s brains and growth. Being around it may cause problems with learning and moving. Rules now limit or ban it to keep kids safe.

Can homeowners still buy chlorpyrifos?

Most people cannot buy chlorpyrifos for their homes. The law says only trained workers can use it for certain jobs.

How can people reduce exposure to chlorpyrifos?

Tip: Wash fruits and vegetables well before eating. People should follow local rules and stay away from places just sprayed with pesticides. Parents can read labels to check for chlorpyrifos.