Organophosphorus pesticides OPPs

Family Pesticide Growth in Resistance, of Times Organophosphorus Pesticides (OPPs) ... 

Organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) have been used extensively as insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, and animal pesticides for more than four decades. They have been used instead of organochlorine pesticides because their relatively rapid decomposition makes them less persistent in the environment and because their accumulation in the biological food chain is limited. Basic to the proper assessment of the potential health hazards of OPPs is the knowledge of their fate in biological systems and in the environment (12,13). 

As organochlorine pesticides fell into disfavor the use of organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) multiplied and with them a concomitant and increase in morbidity and mortality—particularly among sprayers and farm workers. The OPPs—especially Parathion and Phosdrin—account for more deaths than any other class of pesticides (Moses, ref. 164). OPPs are acetylcholinesterase inhibitors with potentially disabling neurotoxic effects. 

The organophosphorus pesticides are used primarily as insecticides and acaricides. Some of the OPPs of commercial importance are listed in Table 18 and in Table 2b at the end of this chapter. More detailed information (LD50s, etc.) may be obtained from references listed in the introduction, e.g., the Pesticide Index (ref. lb) and the Agrochemicals Handbook (ref. 15). The annual Pesticide Use Report(s) of the State of California list current agricultural and environmental usage of all classes of pesticides both as to commodities treated and the names and quantities of pesticides applied (ref. 165). 

USEPA (2006b) Organophosphorus cumulative risk assessment, 2006 update. Washington, DC, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pesticide Programs (EPA ID Docket No. EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0618). 

---