Chemical name: O,O-dimethyl-S-[(4-oxo-1,2,3-benzotriazin-3(4H)-yl)methyl]phosphorodithioate

Final regulatory action has been taken for the category: Pesticide

Final regulatory action: The chemical is Banned

Use or uses prohibited by the final regulatory action:

All uses

The final regulatory action was based on a risk or hazard evaluation: Yes

Summary of the final regulatory action:

Phase out of all uses by 31.12.2005. The underlying reasons were the ecotoxicological toxicity and the fact that the substance had been detected in the national water monitoring program at several occasions despite limited use in the catchment area.

The reasons for the final regulatory action were relevant to: Environment

Summary of known hazards and risks to the environment:

Azinphos-methyl poses high risk to terrestrial and aquatic organisms.

Azinphos-methyl is toxic to non-target arthropods and exposure evaluation show that areas where organisms are exposed by spray drift will not be recolonized.

For earthworms, the estimated chronic Toxicity Exposure Ratio (TER) exceeds the trigger value, indicating high risk to earthworms (for all uses except fruit trees).

Azinphos-methyl is extremely toxic to several aquatic organisms. TER values for invertebrates exceed the trigger values (even with buffer zones of 30 meters), indicating high risk to the aquatic environment.

Azinphos-methyl has been detected in the national water monitoring program at several locations at concentrations up to 0.64 ug/l. When comparing this value to NOEC values from chronic fish tests (0.18-0.39 ug/l), indoor microcosm (rainbow trout) (NOEC: 0.64 ug/l) and outdoor microcosm studies (NOEC: 0.32 ug/l), the risk was deemed unacceptable for use under Norwegian condition.

Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to the environment:

Reducing the risk of environmental exposure to azinphos-methyl.

Date of entry into force of the final regulatory action: 22/10/2002