Does Temephos Pose Risks to Human Health, The Environment or Wildlife?
Temephos and variations in the brand name, when applied according to the labels for mosquito controlling, does not pose an unreasonable risks to human health but it is a question if there is a reasonable risk to humans that is acceptable. If the malaria carrying mosquitos are going to be killed then perhaps the risk management is worthwhile; some people insist that banning DDT may have been a mistake as there are thousands of people in third world countries dying from mosquito borne disease. Temephos is usually applied to water, and the amount of temephos is very small in relation to the area covered, less than 1 ounce of active ingredient per acre for the liquid and 8 ounces per acre for the granular formulations. Temephos breaks down within a few days in water, and post-application exposure is minimal. However, at high dosages, temephos, like other OPs, can overstimulate the nervous system causing nausea, dizziness, and confusion. Because temephos is applied directly to water, it is
