Captafol
Captafol is a fungicide that was widely used in agriculture to control a variety of fungal diseases in crops. It belongs to the chemical class of phthalimides and is known for its broad-spectrum activity against many plant pathogens.
Chemical Properties[edit | edit source]
Captafol is a heterocyclic compound with the chemical formula C10H9Cl4NO2S. It is a white to pale yellow crystalline solid with a melting point of 160-161°C. The compound is relatively insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents such as acetone and chloroform.
Mode of Action[edit | edit source]
Captafol works by inhibiting the respiration process in fungal cells. It disrupts the electron transport chain in the mitochondria, leading to the production of reactive oxygen species and eventual cell death. This makes it effective against a wide range of fungal pathogens, including those causing leaf spot, blight, and mildew.
Uses[edit | edit source]
Captafol was used extensively in the past to protect crops such as potatoes, tomatoes, apples, and grapes from fungal diseases. It was applied as a foliar spray, soil drench, or seed treatment. However, due to its potential health risks, its use has been restricted or banned in many countries.
Health and Environmental Impact[edit | edit source]
Captafol is classified as a probable human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Studies have shown that exposure to Captafol can cause skin irritation, respiratory issues, and long-term health effects such as cancer. Due to these concerns, its use has been heavily regulated.
Regulation and Ban[edit | edit source]
In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has banned the use of Captafol due to its potential health risks. Similarly, the European Union has also restricted its use under the REACH regulation. Many other countries have followed suit, leading to a significant decline in its global usage.
Alternatives[edit | edit source]
With the ban on Captafol, farmers have turned to alternative fungicides such as chlorothalonil, mancozeb, and copper-based fungicides. These alternatives are considered to be less harmful to human health and the environment.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
- Fungicide
- Phthalimides
- Carcinogen
- Environmental Protection Agency
- International Agency for Research on Cancer
- REACH
This pesticide-related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it.
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD