diazinon | Healthy Child Healthy World

Description

Diazinon is an insecticide in the organophosphate family. It is primarily used on lawns and gardens to control a variety of insect pests and in homes to control cockroaches, silverfish, ants and fleas. Diazinon is applied to some food crops. Diazinon is also used in pet care products to control fleas.

In late 2000, the manufacturers of diazinon agreed to a four-year phaseout of all indoor uses, all lawn and garden uses, and all other nonagricultural outdoor uses, after the EPA determined that diazinon poses health risks to humans, birds and other wildlife. By the end of 2004, diazinon should no longer be sold for use in homes, on lawns and gardens, and in pet products.

Health Effects

Immediate Health Effects

If SWALLOWED, diazinon is Very Highly Toxic
If ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN, diazinon is Highly Toxic
If INHALED (SNIFFED OR BREATHED IN), diazinon is Very Highly Toxic

Longterm or Delayed Health Effects

This chemical is considered an Unclassifiable Carcinogen by the World Health Organization, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or another agency.
Neurotoxin = Can harm brain and central nervous system

Other

In laboratory experiments, fetal rodents exposed to diazinon suffered from brain damage. Though there is no direct evidence in humans of fetal brain damage, the evidence is of great concern.
Contact may cause skin and eye irritation.
Repeated or long-term exposure may cause liver damage.
If inhaled or touched, can affect the central nervous system, causing headache, sweating, nausea, vomiting, tightness in the chest, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and muscle twitching. In severe cases, may cause death.
Repeated or long-term exposure may cause headaches, muscle weakness, dizziness, and poor coordination. It may also cause personality changes, depression, anxiety, and irritability.
Exposure to diazinon and chlorpyrifos during pregnancy may result in smaller birth size for infants, according to a 2004 study. Women with higher diazinon and chlorpyrifos levels in their blood and umbilical-cord blood gave birth to lighter, shorter babies, with birth weights increasing again after government restrictions on the two insecticides, the study found.

How Exposures Occur

Contact with Treated Areas

After diazinon has been applied indoors or on lawns or gardens, children may be exposed by inhalation or by putting their hands in their mouths after touching treated turf or soil. Young children may also touch or ingest diazinon granules found on lawns or gardens. Children who touch or play with pets that have been treated with diazinon may also be exposed.

Pesticide Application and Drift

Children can inhale diazinon when it is being applied inside the home, on home lawns and gardens or when spray drifts from neighboring lawns, farms, or orchards.

In Water

Children could be exposed to low levels of diazinon in drinking water. Diazinon is not currently regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act but has been proposed to be added to the list of water contaminants restricted under the Act.

Through Food

Some samples of food tested by the government and analyzed by Consumers Union were found to contain residues of diazinon. Children could ingest diazinon on their food.

Significant Statistics

Diazinon is one of the leading causes of acute insecticide poisoning for humans and wildlife.

Diazinon Summary,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pesticide Programs, December 2000.http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/op/diazinon/summary.htm

Diazinon is one of the most commonly found pesticides found in air, rain and fog.

Diazinon Revised Risk Assessment and Agreement with Registrants. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, December 2000. http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/op/diazinon/agreement.pdf

Even 24 hours after treatment of cracks and crevices with diazinon, children are exposed to up to 400 times the safe dose established by the U.S. EPA through skin contact, and up to 250 times through inhalation.

Occupational and Residential Exposure Assessment and Recommendations for the Reregistration Eligibility Decision Document for Diazinon. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances, March 2000.http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/op/diazinon/ore.pdf

Solutions

How to detect diazinon

Food: There is no way for parents to determine exactly how much diazinon may be in their children’s food. You can get a rough idea of the fruits and vegetables that may contain diazinon from:

The Environmental Working Group’s Report Card: Pesticides in Produce

Do You Know What You’re Eating? by Consumers Union

Consumers Union’s May 2000 Update on Pesticides in Children’s Food
Although diazinon is no longer sold for residential uses, it may be found in older pesticide formulas stored in the home or garage. Check to be sure diazinon is not listed as an ingredient before use. Lists of pesticides that contain diazinon can be found in the National Library of Medicine’s Household Products Database and in the PAN Pesticides Database.

How to minimize exposure to diazinon

Avoid the use of pesticides whenever possible, especially near children.
If you have any products containing diazinon, contact your local sanitation department or hazardous waste disposal program to find out how to dispose of pesticides properly. Earth 911 lists hazardous waste disposal sites by zip code.
Remove shoes at the door or use a doormat to wipe feet to prevent pesticides from being tracked indoors, where they can become embedded in carpets. Replace carpets with washable rugs and mop floors frequently to remove any residues.
Wash non-organic fruits and vegetables well and peel them when possible. Choose organic foods, if possible. A good place to start is with 10 Fruits and Vegetables to Buy Organic.

Alternatives

Choose least-toxic pest control methods, such as Integrated Pest Management, for your home, garden, lawn and shrubs. See Pest Control Without Pesticides. IPM strategies include preventive measures such as sealing leaks and cracks, fixing window screens, and reducing clutter in the home. In the garden, use beneficial insects and homemade insect repellents made of garlic or chilis.