Azinphos-methyl review history and regulatory outcomes

Nomination for review

In December 1994 azinphos-methyl was nominated for review as part of the Existing Chemicals Review Program (ECRP) established to systematically review a number of Agvet chemicals that have been on the Australian market for some time. Azinphos-methyl was nominated for review because of concerns about toxicity, occupational health and safety, environmental, residues and possible impacts on Australian trade.

Preliminary Review Findings Report

In October 2006 the APVMA released the Azinphos-methyl Preliminary Review Findings (PRF) Report. The APVMA’s key findings were that:

• product labels do not carry adequate instructions and warning statements
• product labels do not carry adequate instruction for re-entry intervals (REI) to reduce post-application exposure which may pose a risk to people
• the mixing and loading of azinphos-methyl suspension concentrate (SC) products may pose an exposure risk to people
• the existing uses of registered azinphos-methyl products on pome fruit, macadamias, stone fruit (except apricots), citrus, blueberries, lychees and grapes are not an undue hazard to the safety of people
• the uses of azinphos-methyl on apricots and kiwi fruit are an undue hazard to the safety of people
• the use of azinphos-methyl on citrus may pose a risk to animals, plants, and the environment due to spray drift.

In the preliminary report the APVMA proposed:

• cancelling the use of products containing azinphos-methyl on apricots, kiwi fruit and citrus
• requiring SC product containers to have a wide neck, in order to prevent undue sloshing and glugging, and thus reduce the exposure of workers to the chemical while mixing and handling
• varying product labels to:
  - delete the use on apricots, kiwi fruit and citrus
  - include new restraint statements
  - include new statements for the protection of wildlife, bees, fish, crustaceans and environment
  - increase re-entry periods and the withholding periods for some crops
  - include new warning statements and safety directions.
  

The APVMA will issue a final report once the assessment of all available data is completed.

For more information please contact the Chemical Review Program on (02) 6210 4749 or by email to chemrev@apvma.gov.au