Propetamphos
Propetamphos is an organophosphorus (OP) insecticide and acaricide used to treat lice (Bovicola ovis) and ked (Melophagus ovinnus), and prevent blowfly (Lucilia cuprina) strike on sheep.
Propetamphos review
Status: Review concluded as of August 2009
The APVMA has not commenced a review of propetamphos. Propetamphos was nominated for review because of concerns over occupational health and safety, toxicity and risk to the environment.
The review of propetamphos was separate from, but related to, the reviews of diazinon, another OP, and of selected sheep ectoparasiticides. While these reviews have been conducted separately, the outcomes may be taken into consideration by related reviews as they may affect the same range of products.
Background
Propetamphos was nominated for review in 1995 as part of the Existing Chemicals Review Program (ECRP). The ECRP was established to systematically review a number of Agvet chemicals that had been on the Australian market for some time. Propetamphos was nominated because of concerns over public and occupational health and safety and risks to the environment.
In 2000, the NRA (see footnote) Expert Panel on Organophosphate Sheep Dips (the Panel) reviewed the findings of the UK Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) report, Epidemiological study of the relationship between exposure to organophosphate pesticides and indices of chronic peripheral neuropathy, and neuropsychological abnormalities in sheep farmers and dippers (July 1999). The Panel reported that work practices and exposure risks differed between Australia and the UK. The Panel could not completely rule out a link between OP exposure and long-term health effects. Therefore it recommended reducing worker exposure to OPs and that the APVMA review the uses of all OPs used for dipping and jetting of sheep.
The products Ectomort Plus Lanolin Sheep Dip, Young’s Ectomort Plus Lanolin Sheep Dip and Nufarm Seraphos 360 Dip and Jetting Fluid for Sheep contain propetamphos. These products were assessed as part of the Sheep Ectoparasiticide Review and the basis for concern was documented in that report. In response to the findings and recommendations of the Panel and in an effort to prioritise the review of propetamphos, the APVMA requested registrants of propetamphos products to clarify their intentions with respect to these products. The registrants did not renew the registrations of their respective products.
Thus, the APVMA has concluded that there is no need to place these propetamphos products under review.
Two products containing propetamphos remain registered for control of blowfly (Lucilia cuprina) on sheep. Both are approved as blowfly strike dressing fluids i.e. for individual animal treatment only. Therefore these products are not affected by the concerns that were the basis for the review of propetamphos since the human health and environmental concerns were specifically related to use of propetamphos for dipping and jetting of sheep.
| Review report | Date |
|---|---|
| No report available |
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Footnote: NRA – National Registration Authority for Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals, the former name for the APVMA.