What is methyl parathion, and is it sold under other names?
Methyl parathion is a man-made pesticide that may only be used lawfully on certain agricultural crops in open fields to control insects. It is most commonly used on cotton. Other major uses include field corn, peaches, wheat, barley, soybeans and rice fields. Together these uses account for about 95 % of methyl parathion used in the U.S. It is also registered for numerous other economically important minor uses. Methyl parathion is a highly toxic organophosphate insecticide first registered in 1954. It has been classified as a “Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP)” [see RUP definition in Q/A #8] since 1978 based upon its potential acute toxicity to humans and birds. Methyl parathion is a brownish liquid that turns milky white when mixed with water; smells like rotten eggs; and can leave a yellow stain on indoor surfaces where it has been sprayed. It is illegal to use methyl parathion inside residences or other buildings. Methyl parathion formulations subject to the EPA-Registrants agreement
