Propoxur is a carbamate

Carbamate

Carbamates are organic compounds derived from carbamic acid . A carbamate group, carbamate ester, and carbamic acids are functional groups that are inter-related structurally and often are interconverted chemically. Carbamate esters are also called urethanes.-Synthesis:Carbamic acids are derived...

 insecticide

Insecticide

An insecticide is a pesticide used against insects. They include ovicides and larvicides used against the eggs and larvae of insects respectively. Insecticides are used in agriculture, medicine, industry and the household. The use of insecticides is believed to be one of the major factors behind...

 and was introduced in 1959. Propoxur is a non-systemic insecticide with a fast knockdown and long residual effect used against turf, forestry, and household pests and fleas. It is also used in pest control for other domestic animals, Anopheles

Anopheles

Anopheles is a genus of mosquito. There are approximately 460 recognized species: while over 100 can transmit human malaria, only 30–40 commonly transmit parasites of the genus Plasmodium, which cause malaria in humans in endemic areas...

mosquitoes, ants, gypsy moths, and other agricultural pests. It can also be used as a molluscicide.EXTOXNET Extension Toxicology Network. Pesticide Information Profile. Propoxur. June 1996.

Several US states have petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use propoxur against bedbug

Bedbug

Cimicidae are small parasitic insects. The most common type is Cimex lectularius. The term usually refers to species that prefer to feed on human blood...

 infestations, but the EPA has been reluctant to approve indoor use because of its potential toxicity to children after chronic exposure.

Action

Carbamate insecticides kill insects by reversibly inactivating the enzyme

Enzyme

Enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions. In enzymatic reactions, the molecules at the beginning of the process, called substrates, are converted into different molecules, called products. Almost all chemical reactions in a biological cell need enzymes in order to occur at rates...

 acetylcholinesterase

Acetylcholinesterase

"Acetylcholinesterase, also known as AChE or acetylcholine acetylhydrolase, is an enzyme that degrades the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, producing choline and an acetate group. It is mainly found at neuromuscular junctions and cholinergic nervous system, where its activity serves to terminate...

.

Environmental Effects

It rapidly breaks down in alkaline solution. Propoxur is highly toxic to many bird species, but its toxicity varies by the species. It is moderately to slightly toxic to fish and other aquatic species. Propoxur is highly toxic to honeybees.

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.