Chemical name:

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:

The only formulation was an emulsifiable concentrate. This formulation and all its uses are prohibited.

Pesticide use or uses that remain allowed:

Nil

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

Summary of the final regulatory action:

The active constituent approval, all product registrations and associated label approvals for products containing parathion, were cancelled. Wholesale supply ceased on 31 December 1999. Retail sale ceased on 30 June 2000.

The reasons for the final regulatory action were relevant to: Human health

Summary of known hazards and risks to human health:

Parathion is a cholinesterase inhibitor. The risk to workers was estimated using measured worker exposure studies, published literature and predictive modelling. The margins of exposure were found to be inadequate for most categories of workers involved in routine uses of parathion. The risk to workers under current practices was found to be unacceptable.

Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to human health:

The action is expected to lead to a significant reduction in the health risk to workers as parathion is replaced by less hazardous alternatives

Summary of known hazards and risks to the environment:

Parathion is hazardous to sensitive freshwater macro-crustacea and bees. Spray drift and possible over spray from aerial application was identified as extremely hazardous to aquatic ecosystems and bees. Reports of bee deaths indicate that unacceptable spray drift can occur during aerial application

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

The action is expected to lead to a reduction in the risks to aquatic ecosystems and bees as parathion is replaced by less hazardous alternatives

Date of entry into force of the final regulatory action: 11/06/1999