Naled

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Naled is an organophosphate insecticide that is commonly used for controlling adult mosquitoes. It is a potent neurotoxin that inhibits acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme essential for normal nerve impulse transmission.

Chemistry[edit | edit source]

Naled is a white to tan solid with a slight sulfurous odor. It is soluble in water and most organic solvents. The chemical formula for Naled is C4H7Br2Cl2O4P, and its molecular weight is 380.83 g/mol. It is classified as an organophosphate insecticide, which means it contains phosphorus and is derived from phosphoric acid.

Uses[edit | edit source]

Naled is primarily used in the control of adult mosquitoes, including those that carry diseases such as Zika virus, West Nile virus, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). It is applied by ground or aerial spraying, often in large-scale mosquito control programs. Naled is also used in greenhouses and on a variety of crops, including cotton, alfalfa, and fruits and vegetables.

Health Effects[edit | edit source]

Exposure to Naled can cause a range of health effects, depending on the amount and duration of exposure. Short-term exposure can cause nausea, dizziness, confusion, and at very high exposures, respiratory paralysis and death. Long-term exposure can lead to chronic neurological problems, including impaired memory and concentration, disorientation, severe depressions, irritability, confusion, headache, speech difficulties, delayed reaction times, nightmares, sleepwalking, and drowsiness or insomnia.

Environmental Impact[edit | edit source]

Naled is highly toxic to bees and other beneficial insects, as well as to fish and other aquatic organisms. It can also contaminate water sources if not properly managed. However, Naled breaks down quickly in the environment, usually within a few days, and does not accumulate in the food chain.

Regulation[edit | edit source]

In the United States, Naled is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA has set tolerance levels for residues of Naled in or on various food commodities. It is also subject to the requirements of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).

See Also[edit | edit source]

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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD