ABSTRACT
Propoxur, known chemically by o-isopropoxyphenyl N-methylcarbamate or 2-(l-methylethoxy)phenol methylcarbamate, is an insecticide and molluscide characterized by a fast knockdown and long residual effect. It may be released to the environment during its manufacture, transport, formulation, use, and disposal, as well as from spills. Propoxur is highly persistent in soils. In one field study, 75% of propoxur disappeared from sandy soil in 100 days but levels were virtually unchanged in muck and silt loam soils. Propoxur is reported to biodegrade quite rapidly in water, particularly when the bacterial activity and temperature is high. Propoxur was found to be readily degradable in water. People may be exposed to propoxur in indoor air via inhalation or dermal contact where it is used to control cockroaches, flies, fleas, and mosquitoes and outdoors when it is used to control lawn and turf insects. Propoxur was detected in 6 of 9 personal air samples of retired or semiretired persons in a pilot project of pesticide exposure.
