What is Dimethoate?
Dimethoate is a systemic insecticide that works by inhibiting cholinesterases, which are enzymes involved in nerve impulse transmission. It is chemically an organophosphate. Similar to all organophosphates, it is related to nerve gases, and it is among the most toxic of all pesticides to vertebrates, including humans.
Dimethoate is a systemic pesticide that is taken up by plants' roots and translocated to the ground pieces, where it is poisonous to sucking insects that feed on plant juices (for example, leafhoppers, aphids, and thrips). Dimethoate may not destroy caterpillars or other chewing pests because there isn't enough juice-containing tissue consumed for it to be efficient.
Dimethoate Exposure
Most of the people will not be exposed to Dimethoate from water or air. Levels in food are much lower. The main risk of exposure is if we work where dimethoate is used or made. The Chances of people being exposed to dimethoate are through:
Breathing Dimethoate if we work where it is used or made
Drinking Dimethoate is unlikely
Drinking Dimethoate accidentally
Eye Contact with the Dimethoate if we work where it is used or made
Touching Dimethoate if we work where it is used or made
Tafgor Insecticide
The USP of Tafgor is that it is highly compatible with other pesticides and insecticides. It's a contact and systemic organophosphate insecticide that kills insect pests like the stem borer, mosquito, beetles, aphid, and weevil quickly. It acts both through Ingestion and by Contact.
Uses of Tafgor
Dimethoate formulations can be used to control a wide range of Aphididae, Acari,
Coccidae, Aleyrodidae, Collembola, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Pseudococcidae and Citrus, cereals, cotton, coffee, olives, fruit, grapes, pastures, beetroot, pulses, potatoes, tobacco, tea, and vegetables all have Thysanoptera in them.
They can also be used for the control of animal houses or flies. Dimethoate is given as a systemic acaricide and insecticide, with Contact and action of the stomach. It also acts as a cholinesterase inhibitor.
Some Banned Pesticides and Insecticides
Chlorpyrifos, which is a type of insecticide called “organophosphate,” was first marketed in 1965 and banned for most residential uses in 2000. Now, it is widely used on soybeans, corn, nut and fruit trees, cranberries, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower, among several other foods. Also, it is used on golf courses to protect the fence posts and utility poles and to kill cockroaches, mosquitoes, and ants.
Endosulfan, a drug so dangerous that the United Nations wants it banned worldwide, was banned in India in 2011 by a Supreme Court order. In Kerala, the endoscope is banned, but other such chemicals continue to be used. But, groundwater contamination which is leading to the unsafe water supply is one of its consequences.
Neonicotinoids are given as a nicotine-like class of insecticides, which impair the neurological systems of the insects. They have been linked to the die-offs of monarch butterflies and bees — two key pollinators — and birds as well. The global food system, which relies on bees to pollinate at least 30% of the crops of the world. Now we may notice the danger to global food systems. Certain neonicotinoids in 2013 were banned by the European Union and some non-EU nations as well.
Toxaphene was primarily used on cereal grains, cotton, nuts, fruits, and vegetables as a non-systemic and contact insecticide. Also, it has been used to control mites and ticks in livestock. Toxaphene is highly insoluble in water, and it has a half-life in soil of approximately 12 years. It has also been shown to bioconcentrate in marine species and to be transported through the atmosphere. It has been banned in 37 countries globally, and its use has been severely restricted in other 11 countries.
Methyl bromide, whose usage was banned in 1990 by Montreal Protocol on Ozone Depleting Substances. Also, in the atmosphere, methyl bromide attacks the ozone layer. Despite the ban, nearly 70,000 tonnes of methyl bromide were still used as a soil fumigant globally in 1999.
Atrazine, which is a weed killer that is persistent environmentally and has been linked to hormone disruption and birth defects, was banned in 2004 in the European Union. In the US, it remains the main and most widely used herbicide, while the debate over its safety continues.
Precautions to Take When Exposed to Dimethoate
If anyone touches dimethoate, they should wash or shower right away. Workers who touch dimethoate must wash any areas of the body that can have contacted it and, change with clean clothing. Also, protect the family members by not taking exposed clothing home. Exposed work clothes must be cleaned by others who have been told of the hazards of exposure.
If you breathe dimethoate, move to some fresh air, and seek medical attention. If you get dimethoate in your eyes, rinse the eyes with plenty of water for 15 minutes, at least, and seek medical help.
FAQs on Dimethoate
1. What is dimethoate and for what purposes is it used in agriculture?
Dimethoate is a widely used organophosphate insecticide known for its dual action. It functions as both a systemic and contact insecticide. It is primarily used in agriculture and horticulture to control a broad range of sucking and chewing insects, such as:
- Aphids
- Mites
- Thrips
- Whiteflies
It is applied to various crops, including fruits, vegetables, cotton, and ornamental plants, to protect them from pest infestations.
2. How does dimethoate work to kill insects?
Dimethoate functions by inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the nervous system of an insect. This inhibition leads to the accumulation of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, causing continuous nerve impulses. The overstimulation results in paralysis, loss of coordination, and ultimately, the death of the insect.
3. How toxic is dimethoate to humans and what are the main symptoms of exposure?
Dimethoate is considered highly toxic to humans if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. Exposure can rapidly lead to a range of symptoms by affecting the central nervous system. Key symptoms include excessive sweating, headaches, nausea, muscle twitching, blurred vision, and diarrhoea. Severe poisoning can cause respiratory failure and can be fatal.
4. Why is dimethoate classified as an organophosphate insecticide?
Dimethoate is classified as an organophosphate because its chemical structure is fundamentally based on an ester of phosphoric acid. This class of compounds is defined by the presence of a central phosphorus atom bonded to oxygen and organic groups. This specific molecular structure is responsible for its mechanism of action as a potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.
5. What makes dimethoate a systemic insecticide, and how is this different from a contact insecticide?
Dimethoate is considered a systemic insecticide because it is absorbed by the plant and transported throughout its vascular tissues (xylem and phloem). This means the chemical is present in the leaves, stem, and roots. Pests are killed when they feed on any part of the treated plant. In contrast, a contact insecticide only kills pests that are directly sprayed or touch the chemical residue on the plant's surface. Dimethoate effectively combines both of these actions.
6. What are the regulations surrounding the use of dimethoate in India?
Due to its high toxicity to humans and beneficial insects like bees, the use of dimethoate in India is highly regulated and has been banned for use on many vegetable crops. Its agricultural use is restricted and subject to the guidelines provided by the Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee. Farmers are required to follow strict safety protocols and dosage recommendations to minimise health and environmental risks.
7. What does the formulation '30% EC' signify for a dimethoate-based product?
The label '30% EC' on a dimethoate product provides crucial information about its formulation:
- 30%: This indicates that 30% of the product's total weight consists of the active ingredient, which is pure dimethoate.
- EC: This stands for Emulsifiable Concentrate. It means the dimethoate is dissolved in a solvent with an emulsifying agent, allowing the oil-based concentrate to mix effectively with water to form a stable sprayable solution.
8. What are the major environmental impacts of using dimethoate?
The primary environmental concern with dimethoate is its high toxicity to non-target organisms. It is particularly harmful to beneficial pollinators like bees, as well as birds and aquatic life. Although it does not persist for long in the soil, agricultural runoff can carry it into rivers and ponds, posing a significant risk to aquatic ecosystems. This ecological impact is a key reason for the strict regulations on its use.
