Propoxur (Baygon) is a

carbamate In organic chemistry, a carbamate is a category of organic compounds with the general Chemical formula, formula and Chemical structure, structure , which are formally Derivative (chemistry), derived from carbamic acid (). The term includes orga ...

non-systemic

insecticide Insecticides are pesticides used to kill insects. They include ovicides and larvicides used against insect eggs and larvae, respectively. The major use of insecticides is in agriculture, but they are also used in home and garden settings, i ...

, produced from

catechol Catechol ( or ), also known as pyrocatechol or 1,2-dihydroxybenzene, is an organic compound with the molecular formula . It is the ''ortho'' isomer of the three isomeric benzenediols. This colorless compound occurs naturally in trace amounts. It ...

, and was introduced in 1959. It has a fast knockdown and long residual effect, and is used against turf, forestry, and household pests and fleas. It is also used in pest control for domestic animals, ''

Anopheles ''Anopheles'' () is a genus of mosquito first described by the German entomologist Johann Wilhelm Meigen, J. W. Meigen in 1818, and are known as nail mosquitoes and marsh mosquitoes. Many such mosquitoes are Disease vector, vectors of the paras ...

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

U.S. state In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its so ...

s have petitioned the

Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Protection Agency may refer to the following government organizations: * Environmental Protection Agency (Queensland), Australia * Environmental Protection Agency (Ghana) * Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland) * Environmenta ...

(EPA) to use propoxur against

bedbug Bed bugs are parasitic insects from the genus ''Cimex'', which are micropredators that feed on blood, usually at night. Their bites can result in a number of health impacts, including skin rashes, psychological effects, and allergic symptom ...

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 irreversibly inactivating the

enzyme An enzyme () is a protein that acts as a biological catalyst by accelerating chemical reactions. The molecules upon which enzymes may act are called substrate (chemistry), substrates, and the enzyme converts the substrates into different mol ...

acetylcholinesterase Acetylcholinesterase (HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee, HGNC symbol ACHE; EC 3.1.1.7; systematic name acetylcholine acetylhydrolase), also known as AChE, AChase or acetylhydrolase, is the primary cholinesterase in the body. It is an enzyme th ...

, thus it is a

Cholinesterase inhibitor Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs), also known as anti-cholinesterase, are chemicals that prevent the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine or butyrylcholine by cholinesterase. This increases the amount of the acetylcholine or butyryl ...

Environmental effects

Propoxur rapidly breaks down in alkaline solution.Propoxur (WHO Pesticide Residues Series 3):
October 01, 2009. Propoxur is highly toxic to many bird species, although its toxicity varies by the species, and it is highly toxic to honeybees. It is moderately to slightly toxic to fish and other aquatic species.

References

{{Acetylcholine metabolism and transport modulators Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors Carbamate insecticides Catechol ethers Isopropyl compounds Aromatic carbamates Phenol esters