ABSTRACT
Warfarin will be released in the environment as dust or pellets in connection with its use as a rodenticide. It may also be released in wastewater or spills during its manufacture, storage and transport. Although warfarin contains several potentially reactive chemical groups, warfarin’s degradation rate in soil is unknown. It has moderate adsorption to soil but would adsorb less under alkaline conditions since it forms a soluble salt. Warfarin would most likely be released into air as particulates or aerosols and would be subject to gravitational settling. Warfarin has an acidic enol group which forms metallic salts, an α, β-unsaturated carbonyl group and a cyclic ether group which are potentially reactive in the environment. Human exposure would be primarily occupational or from coming into contact with warfarin in bait as well as from intentional consumption is an anti-coagulant drug.
