ABSTRACT
Chlorpyrifos is released into the environment primarily from its application as an insecticide. Major general population exposure to chlorpyrifos will occur through consumption of contaminated food and inhalation of contaminated air. Occupational exposure by dermal and inhalation routes may be significant. Chlorpyrifos is released into the environment primarily from its application as an insecticide. Microbial degradation may contribute to chlorpyrifos removal from natural water as indicated by faster degradation rates in various non-sterile versus sterilized waters. In a simulated ecosystem study, the chlorpyrifos concentration in the sediment was as much as 4 times greater than in the water-phase. Occupational exposure by dermal and inhalation routes related to the use of chlorpyrifos as an insecticide may be significant. Exposure of dry chlorpyrifos to a sunlamp for 12,000 hours resulted in less than 2% decomposition. Greater than 99% of chlorpyrifos applied to a loam soil remained in the upper 2.5 cm soil layer after periodic irrigation with overhead sprinklers indicating relative immobility.
