Fenchlorphos

(endorsed 2011)

Guideline

The health concerns associated with fenchlorphos have not been fully evaluated and therefore a health-based guideline value for fenchlorphos in drinking water cannot be set.

Related chemicals

Fenchlorphos (CAS 299-84-3) belongs to the organophosphate class of chemicals. Other pesticides in this class include dichlorvos, profenofos and acephate (Tomlin 2006).

Human risk statement

There are currently insufficient data on which to base a human risk statement.

With good water quality management practices, pesticides should not be detected in source waters used for drinking water supplies. Persistent detection of pesticides may indicate inappropriate use or accidental spillage, and investigation is required in line with established procedures in the risk management plan for the particular water source.

General description

Uses: Fenchlorphos is an insecticide formerly used for the control of cockroaches and flies in animal houses, dairies, food storages areas, food containers and packaging, food processing equipment, and for the control of insects in a variety of agricultural crops.

There are no registered products containing fenchlorphos in Australia, but de-registered compounds may still be detected in water. Previously registered products were intended for professional use.

Exposure sources: If used in the future, the main source of public exposure to fenchlorphos would be residues in food. Residue levels in food produced according to good agricultural practice are generally low.

Agricultural use of fenchlorphos in the future may potentially lead to contamination of source waters through processes such as run-off, spray drift or entry into groundwater.

Reported values in Australian waters

No data on the occurrence of fenchlorphos in Australian waters could be found.

Treatment of drinking water

No data on the removal efficacy of drinking water treatment for fenchlorphos could be found.

Measurement

Fenchlorphos can be measured by routine gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis with a limit of reporting of 0.1 μg/L (Queensland Health 2007).

History of the health values

No acceptable daily intake (ADI) or acute reference dose (ARfD) values have been established for fenchlorphos.

The previous ADI of 0.01 mg/kg bw was set by the World Health Organization in 1968 (IPCS 1968). The basis of this ADI is unknown and it was removed in 2003.

A previous health value of 0.03 mg/L was set in 1996 (NHMRC and NRMMC 2004).

Health considerations

Metabolism: No studies have been evaluated in Australia.

Short-term/long-term effects: No studies have been evaluated in Australia.

Carcinogenicity: No studies have been evaluated in Australia.

Genotoxicity: No studies have been evaluated in Australia.

Reproductive and developmental effects: No studies have been evaluated in Australia.

Poisons Schedule: Fenchlorphos is included in Schedule 6 of the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons No.1, 2010 (the Poisons Standard)(DoHA 2010). Current versions of the Poisons Standard should be consulted for further information.

Derivation of the health-based guideline

There are currently insufficient data on which to establish a health-based guideline for fenchlorphos in drinking water in Australia.

References

DoHA (2010) The Poisons Standard; Schedule 1-Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons, Department of Health and Ageing, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra.

IPCS (International Programme on Chemical Safety) (1968). INCHEM: WHO/FOOD ADD./69.35. Evaluations of some pesticide residues in food. The monographs. Fenchlorphos. Available at http://www.inchem.org/documents/jmpr/jmpmono/v068pr21.htm

NHMRC (National Health and Medical Research Council), NRMMC (Natural Resources Management Ministerial Council) (2004). Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. National Water Quality Management Strategy, Paper 6. NHMRC and NRMMC.

Queensland Health (2007). Organochlorine, organophosphorous and synthetic pyrethroid pesticide, urea and triazine herbicides and PCBs in water. QHFSS SOP 16315.

Tomlin CD (ed) (2006). The Pesticide Manual: a world compendium, 14th edition, British Crop Production Council, UK.