ABSTRACT
The primary release of thiram to the environment appears to be from its use as a fungicide. Thiram should strongly absorb to soil and should not volatilize from wet or dry soil surfaces. Thiram is used as a rubber accelerator, cure retarder, anti-oxidant in plastics, peptizing agent in elastomers, fungicide and animal repellent in fields and orchards, and has been used as a bacteriostat in soap and antiseptic sprays. Photolysis of thiram on soil surfaces may be a potential removal mechanism since thiram absorbs sunlight. Thiram has been more persistent in sandy soil than laterite and alluvial soils. Photochemical decomposition may be a potential transformation process since thiram absorbs sunlight. Thiram was degraded more rapidly in unsterilized soil than in sterilized soil. Thiram is relatively immobile in loamy sand, peat moss and black clay. Exposure to the general population may result due to ingestion or handling of crops intentionally treated with thiram.
