Dimethoate

Dimethoate is an insecticide used on a variety of fruit, vegetable, grain, and field crops. It has also had non-agricultural uses in the United States, including the control of houseflies in residential homes, but these uses were restricted in 2000.

It has been found in trace amounts in some food samples in the United States. The World Health Organization reports that dimethoate is not expected to persist in water or be detected at levels of health concern.

Health Effects of Dimethoate

Dimethoate has been show to irritate the skin and inhibit the enzyme cholinesterase, which can cause neurological symptoms of nausea, dizziness, confusion and, with exposure to very large amounts, respiratory paralysis and death. It is classified by the EPA as a “possible human carcinogen.”

Water Treatment for Dimethoate

According to the WHO, dimethoate should be treatable with a combination of chlorination and granular activated carbon (GAC).

Sources: EPA, WHO, Photo: geograph.org.uk, author: Walter Baxter