ABSTRACT
Insecticidal spraying is probably the major emission source of 4,6-dinitro-o-cresol to the environment during use. In addition, wastewater effluents from chemical plants have been found to contain 4,6-dinitro-o-cresol. If released to air, 4,6-dinitro-o-cresol may exist in both the vapor and adsorbed phases. General population exposure to 4,6-dinitro-o-cresol may occur through oral consumption of contaminated food; however, it is unlikely that contamination of human foodstuffs will occur to any large extent since the primary pesticide use of the compound involves treatment of fruit trees during the dormant season. Direct photolysis may occur since 4,6-dinitro-o-cresol absorbs light in the environmentally important range. General population exposure to 4,6-dinitro-o-cresol may occur through oral consumption of contaminated food. Spraying of 4,6-dinitro-o-cresol in apple orchards can result in worker respiratory exposure ranging from below 0.05 mg/hr to 0.13 mg/hr and in dermal exposure of 22.5 to 55.1 mg/hr.
