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Organophosphorus chemistry is the scientific study of the synthesis and properties of organophosphorus compounds, which are organic compounds containing phosphorus. [1] They are used primarily in pest control as an alternative to chlorinated hydrocarbons that persist in the environment.
In organic chemistry, organophosphates (also known as phosphate esters, or OPEs) are a class of organophosphorus compounds with the general structure O=P(OR) 3, a central phosphate molecule with alkyl or aromatic substituents. [1] They can be considered as esters of phosphoric acid. Organophosphates are best known for their use as pesticides.
Pesticides are widely used by farmers to control plant pests and enhance production, but chemical pesticides can also cause water quality problems. Pesticides may appear in surface water due to: direct application (e.g. aerial spraying or broadcasting over water bodies) runoff during rain storms; aerial drift (from adjacent fields). [3]: p.2–22
Pesticides secrete into soils and groundwater which can end up in drinking water, and pesticide spray can drift and pollute the air. The effects of pesticides on human health depend on the toxicity of the chemical and the length and magnitude of exposure. [ 97 ]
The third type of poisoning is a long-term low-level exposure, which individuals are exposed to from sources such as pesticide residues in food as well as contact with pesticide residues in the air, water, soil, sediment, food materials, plants and animals. [1] [2] [3] [4]
As part of that process, in 1999 the EPA announced a ban the use of organophosphate pesticide methyl parathion and significant restrictions on the use of another OP, azinphos methyl, in what they called "kid's food". [51] The review process was concluded in 2006 and eliminated or modified thousands of other uses of pesticides. [52]
Possible sinks of pesticide drift-caused environmental contamination. Pesticide drift, also known as spray drift, is the unintentional diffusion of pesticides toward nontarget species. It is one of the most negative effects of pesticide application. Drift can damage human health, environment, and crops.
The Sandoz chemical spill was a major environmental disaster caused by a fire and its subsequent extinguishing at Sandoz agrochemical storehouse in the Schweizerhalle industrial complex, Basel-Landschaft, Switzerland, on 1 November 1986, which released toxic agrochemicals into the air and resulted in tons of pollutants entering the Rhine river, turning it red.