chlor·pyr·i·fos

(klôr-pîr′ə-fŏs′, -pī′rə-)

A toxic organophosphate compound, C₉H₁₁Cl₃NO₃PS, widely used as an insecticide in agriculture and on golf courses and wood products.

[chlor(o)- + pyri(dine) + alteration of phos(phate).]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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Noun

chlorpyrifos - a common organophosphate insecticide

organophosphate - an insecticide that interferes with an insect's nervous system

Mentioned in

organophosphate

References in periodicals archive

The agency said data highlighting health concerns about the pesticide were "not sufficiently valid, complete or reliable" and added that it would continue to monitor the safety of chlorpyrifos through 2022, The New York Times reported.

EPA Will Not Ban Pesticide Linked to Brain Harm in Children; Agency says data on health concerns about chlorpyrifos 'not sufficiently valid, complete or reliable'

In April, a federal appeals court gave the EPA a July deadline to issue a final ruling on whether to ban chlorpyrifos, The Times reported.

Health Highlights: July 19, 2019; EPA Won't Ban Pesticide Linked to Brain Harm in Children U.S. Drug OD Deaths Fall for First Time in Three Decades

Chlorpyrifos (O, O-diethyl-O-3,5,6-trichlor-2-pyridyl phosphorothioate) is an organophosphate pesticide, which is commonly used to control pests on paddy fields, pasture, cotton, vegetable crops and fruit trees including oranges, bananas and apples (Rao et al., 2003; Gomez, 2009; Grube et al., 2011).

Effect of Chlorpyrifos on Hematological and Seral Biochemical Components of Fish Oreochromis mossambicus

All treatments were compared with Lorsban 4E[R] (chlorpyrifos 48% AI) (Dow AgroSciences Chile S.A., Santiago, Chile) as a standard, applied at 1.2 mL per L (576 ppm) as recommended by the manufacturer.

An agricultural detergent as co-adjuvant for entomopathogenic fungi and chlorpyrifos to control Pseudococcus viburni (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Assessment of genotoxic and mutagenic effects of chlorpyrifos in freshwater fish Channa punctatus (Bloch) using micronucleus assay and alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis.

Chlorpyrifos induces genotoxic effects in human leukocytes in vitro at low concentrations

Just a few weeks ago, however, a federal court ordered the EPA to ban chlorpyrifos within 60 days.

Guest view Children and cancer: The terrible cost of environmental deregulation

"A significant body of evidence from both epidemiological and animal studies has demonstrated that children are vulnerable to long-lasting, adverse cognitive and behavioral outcomes when exposed during pregnancy to chlorpyrifos levels far below the current tolerances permitted by EPA," APHA said in its brief to the court.

Public health win: Chemical banned

Chlorpyrifos, which is applied to fruits, vegetables, and nuts, is part of a class of chemicals known as organophosphates that were developed before World War II for use in nerve gases that could halt neurotransmissions in a soldier's brain.

Ordered Out

In the case of chlorpyrifos toxicity, the use of a neurobehavioral end point offers several advantages compared with an end point based on cholinesterase inhibition.

A Novel Method for the Development of Environmental Public Health Indicators and Benchmark Dose Estimation Using a Health-Based End Point for Chlorpyrifos