Parathion endocrine disruption

For methyl parathion, most of the information on health effects in humans is derived from cases of acute exposure to relatively high concentrations of the pesticide. Such reports have not addressed the issue of the potential endocrine-disrupting capacity of methyl parathion in humans. An added complication in determining whether methyl parathion has endocrine-disrupting capabilities in humans is the fact that humans are seldom exposed to a single pesticide. 

Collectively, the findings in experimental animals are insufficient to categorize methyl parathion as an endocrine-disrupting chemical. 

The potential endocrine-disrupting capacity of methyl parathion in wildlife has also been examined, and results of some recent studies are summarized below. 

In summary, while there is information on effects of methyl parathion that could be considered as endocrine-mediated, the less than optimal quality of the many of the studies do not allow for firm conclusions. Further research is needed to clarify whether methyl parathion may act as an endocrine disrupter. 

Figure 1.2 Usage of selected pesticides in the United Kingdom between 1983 and 1997. The data are expressed as kilogrammes of active substance applied. The compounds included are carbaryl, dicofol, quinalphos, parathion, gamma-HCH, DDT, methoxy-chlor, amitrole, metribuzin, atrazine, linuron, diuron, 2,4,5-T, 2,4-D, nitrofen, trifluralin, fenarimol, sodium 2-phenylphenoxide, vinclozolin, ziram, zineb-ethylenethiuram disulfide zineb, thiram, maneb and mancozeb. Each has been alleged to exhibit some endocrine-disrupting properties...

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