Completed
Propetamphos is an organophosphorus insecticide and acaricide used to treat lice (Bovicola ovis) and ked (Melophagus ovinnus) to and prevent blowfly (Lucilia cuprina) strike on sheep.
Work Plan
Propetamphos is an organophosphorus insecticide and acaricide used to treat lice (Bovicola ovis) and ked (Melophagus ovinnus) to and prevent blowfly (Lucilia cuprina) strike on sheep.
Propetamphos
1. Nomination
Completed
1. Nomination
Phase status: Completed
Propetamphos was nominated for review because of concerns about occupational health and safety, toxicity and risk to the environment.
The review of propetamphos was separate from, but related to, reviews of diazinon, another organophosphorus compound, and selected sheep ectoparasiticides. While those reviews have been conducted separately, the outcomes may be taken into consideration by related reviews because they may affect the same range of products.
2. Prioritisation
Completed
2. Prioritisation
Phase status: Completed
3. Scoping and work plan
Completed
3. Scoping and work plan
Phase status: Completed
4. Notice of reconsideration
Completed
4. Notice of reconsideration
Phase status: Completed
5. Assessment
Completed
5. Assessment
Phase status: Completed
In 2000, the NRA Expert Panel on Organophosphate Sheep Dips reviewed the findings of a United Kingdom Institute of Occupational Medicine report, Epidemiological study of the relationship between exposure to organophosphate pesticides and indices of chronic peripheral neuropathy, and neuropsychological abnormalities in sheep farmers and dippers (July 1999). The panel reported that work practices and exposure risks differed between Australia and the United Kingdom and that it could not completely rule out a link between organophosphate exposure and long-term health effects. Therefore, it recommended reducing worker exposure to organophosphates and that the APVMA review the uses of all organophosphates used for dipping and jetting sheep.
The products Ectomort Plus Lanolin Sheep Dip, Young’s Ectomort Plus Lanolin Sheep Dip and Nufarm Seraphos 360 Dip and Jetting Fluid for Sheep contain propetamphos. These products were assessed as part of the sheep ectoparasiticide review and the basis for concern was documented in that report. In response to the findings and recommendations of the panel and in an effort to prioritise the review of propetamphos, the APVMA requested registrants of propetamphos products to clarify their intentions for those products. The registrants did not renew the registrations of their respective products.
Thus, the APVMA has concluded that there is no need to place these propetamphos products under review.
Two products containing propetamphos remain registered for control of blowfly on sheep. Both are approved as blowfly strike dressing fluids (that is, for individual animal treatment only). Those products are not affected by the concerns that were the basis for the review of propetamphos, as the human health and environmental concerns were specifically related to the use of propetamphos for dipping and jetting sheep.