What is Diazinon?
Diazinon is an organophosphate synthesized from thiophosphoric acid as a colorless and odorless oil-like liquid, but may also be further processed to produce a granular form. It is known by many other names, including spectracide, dipofene, basudin, and its lengthy chemical name of O,O-Diethyl-O-(2-isopropyl-6-methyl-pyrimidine-4-yl). However, most people immediately recognize this substance as one of the best-known organophosphorus pesticides used to control cockroaches, fleas, and ants. When formulated for home and garden use, diazinon insecticide spray represents a one to five percent concentration, while industrial preparations typically contain 85-90 percent diazinon. Like many other organophosphates, diazinon is a potent neurotoxin. Specifically, it permanently suppresses the activity of acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme which is necessary for nerve function. The mechanism behind this action involves the agent’s phosphorus atom binding to the enzyme site. Since the role of acetylch
Diazinon is the common name of an organophosphorus pesticide used to control pest insects in soil, on ornamental plants, and on fruit and vegetable field crops. It was formerly used as the active ingredient in household and garden products used to control pests such as flies, fleas, and cockroaches. Diazinon is a synthetic chemical, it does not occur naturally in the environment. Pure diazinon is a colorless and practically odorless oil. Preparations used in agriculture and by exterminators contain 8590% diazinon and appear as a pale to dark-brown liquid. Diazinon preparations sold in the past for home and garden use contained 15% diazinon in a liquid or as solid granules. Most diazinon used is in liquid form, but it is possible to be exposed to the solid form. Diazinon does not dissolve easily in water and does not burn easily.
Diazinon is the active ingredient in many insecticides used in the U.S. for household lawn and garden pest control. Common types of diazinon products include broad-spectrum insect killers, lawn & turf insecticides, ant killers, bee & wasp killers, and pet collars. Diazinon is one of several organophosphate chemicals which have recently been reevaluated by EPA due to consumer safety concerns. Organophosphates, especially when used consistently or in high concentrations, can cause cholinesterase inhibition in humans; that is, they can overstimulate the nervous system, causing nausea, dizziness, confusion, and at very high exposures (e.g. accidents or major spills) respiratory paralysis and death.
Diazinon is a broad-spectrum insecticide sold by Syngenta Crop Protection. It is used to control a wide variety of agricultural and home and garden pests. How is diazinon used? • For more than 40 years, homeowners and professionals have depended on diazinon to protect crops, gardens, lawns, ornamental plants and homes from chewing, stinging, biting and disease-carrying insects. • Diazinon is currently labeled by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use by professionals and consumers to control outdoor pests such as fleas, fire ants, cockroaches, chiggers and spiders. It is used by gardeners to control a variety of lawn and garden pests including mealybugs, fruitworms, aphids, beetles and white grubs. • Pest management professionals also use diazinon to control pests that contaminate food and feed around homes and businesses. What do consumers think about diazinon? • A 1998 study of 400 suburban homeowners conducted by Syngenta, revealed that diazinon is the third most recogniz
