This Annex provides general information for a broad range of agricultural pesticides. Readers must consult the original sources for detailed information, especially for drinking water guidelines. Different values for concentrations in drinking water and in fish and shellfish tissue reflect different criteria and methods used to calculate these values. Guidelines for fish are for edible parts (e.g. fillets). Concentration values for drinking water and fish and shellfish tissue are not available for many pesticides. The primary source for this Annex is Reference #1 below: unless otherwise indicated, information and values come from this source.
(1) US Environmental Protection Agency, 1990. National Pesticide Survey: Survey Analytes. In: "National Survey of Pesticides in Drinking Water Wells", Phase 1 Report, Office of Water, Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, EPA570/9-90-015, Washington DC
(2) Nowell, L.H. and Resek E.A. 1994. National standards and guidelines for pesticides in water, sediment, and aquatic organisms: Application to water-quality assessments. Volume 140 of "Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology", Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, Germany, Volume 140. (Refer to this source for comprehensive discussion; guidelines for aquatic life, etc.).
(3) World Health Organization, 1993. Guidelines for drinking water quality; Volume 1: Recommendations. World Health Organization, Geneva, Second Edition.
(4) Misc. sources, including product literature, etc.
Pesticide |
Common or Trade Name |
Type |
Principal Use |
Drinking Water Level (m g/l) |
Fish & Shellfish Tissue (mg/kg) |
Acifluorfen |
Blazer |
Herbicide |
Controls weeds and grasses in soybeans, groundnuts, rice and other large seeded legumes |
- |
|
Alachlor |
Lasso |
Herbicide |
Controls annual grasses and weeds in maize, soybeans, and groundnuts |
2.0 |
|
Aldicarb |
Temik |
Insecticide |
Controls insects, nematodes, and mites on cottom, sugar beets, potatoes, and ornamentals |
10. (1,3) |
|
Aldicarb sulfone |
Standak |
(Degradate) |
(See Aldicarb) |
40. |
|
Aldicarb sulfoxide |
(See Aldicarb) |
(Degradate) |
(See Aldicarb) |
10. |
|
Aldrin |
HHDN |
Insecticide |
Controls soil insects |
0.03 (3) |
0.3 (2) |
Ametryn |
Gesapax |
Herbicide |
Controls weeds in pineapple, sugarcane, bananas, plantains, maize, and potatoes |
- |
|
Atraton |
Gesatamin |
Herbicide |
Formerly an experimental herbicide |
- |
|
Atrazine |
AAtrex |
Herbicide |
Controls cerain weeds in maize, sorghum, sugarcane, pineapple, and citrus fruits |
3.0 |
|
Atrazine, deethylated |
(See Atrazine) |
(Degradate) |
(See Atrazine) |
- |
|
Barban |
Carbyne |
Herbicide |
Controls weeds in wild oats, wheat, lentils, peas, sugar beets, barley and clover |
- |
|
Baygon |
Propoxur |
Insecticide |
Controls cockroaches, flies, mosquitos, and turf insects |
- |
|
Bentazon |
Basagran |
Herbicide |
Controls broadleaf weeds in soybeans, rice, maize, groundnuts, beans, peas, and mint |
30. (3) |
|
Bromacil |
Borea |
Herbicide |
Controls weeds and brush in non-crop areas, and controls weeds in citrus and pineapple |
- |
|
Butachlor |
Machete |
Herbicide |
Controls annual grasses and weeds in seeded, transplanted rice and other crops |
- |
|
Butylate |
Sutan |
Herbicide |
Controls grassy weeds and nut grass in maize |
- |
|
Carbaryl |
Sevin |
Insecticide |
Controls insects in forests lawns, ornamentals, shade trees, and rangeland |
- |
|
Carbofuran |
Furadan |
Insecticide |
Controls insects, mites, nematodes on maize and other crops |
40. |
|
Carbofuran, 3-hydroxy- |
(See Carbofuran) |
(Degradate) |
(See Carbofuran) |
- |
|
Carbofuran, phenol |
(See Carbofuran) |
(Degradate) |
(See Carbofuran) |
- |
|
Carbofuran, phenol, 3-keto- |
(See Carbofuran) |
(Degradate) |
(See Carbofuran) |
- |
|
Carboxin |
D-735 |
Fungicide |
Controls smuts on barley, oats, wheat, and seedlings |
- |
|
Chloramben |
Amiben |
Herbicide |
Controls weeds in soybeans, groundnuts, sunflowers, and maize |
- |
|
Chlordane |
Gold Crest C-100 |
Insecticide |
Controls termites in homes and controls other insects such as fire ants around underground cables |
2. |
0.3 (2) |
Chlordecone (2) (Kepone) |
|
|
|
- |
0.3 (2) |
Chlorobenzilate |
Akar |
Acaricide |
Controls mites on citrus, cotton, and vegetables |
- |
|
Chloroneb |
Terraneb |
Fungicide |
Controls snow mold, and systematic seedling diseases of cotton, beans, and soybeans |
- |
|
Chlorothalonil |
Bravo |
Fungicide |
Controls fungus on beans, carrots, celery, maize, conifers, and groundnuts |
- |
|
Chlorotoluron (3) |
|
|
|
30. (3) |
|
Chlorpropham |
Chloro IPC |
Herbicide |
Controls weeds in alfalfa, lima beans, and snap beans |
- |
|
Cyanazine |
Bladex |
Herbicide |
Controls annual grasses and broadleaf weeds in fallow croplands |
- |
|
Cycloate |
Ro-Neet |
Herbicide |
Controls annual broadleaf weeds and grasses |
- |
|
2,4-D |
2,4 Dichloro-phenoxyacetic acid |
Herbicide |
Controls weeds in wheat, maize, and barley |
70. |
|
Dalapon |
Dowpon |
Herbicide |
Controls growth of grasses such as quackgrass, bermuda grass, and some perennials |
200. |
|
2,4-DB |
Butyrac |
Herbicide |
Controls broadleaf weeds in alfalfa, soybeans, and groundnuts |
90. (3) |
|
DCPA |
Chlorthal-dimethyl Dachtal |
Herbicide |
Controls annual grasses in turf, ornamentals, fruit and vegetables |
- |
|
DCPA acid metabolites |
(See DCPA) Dachtal acid metabolites |
(Degradate) |
(See DCPA) |
|
|
4,4-DDD |
TDE |
Insecticide |
Controls mosquitoes and spiders |
- |
5. (2) |
4,4-DDE |
(See 4,4-DDD) |
(Degradate) |
(See 4,4-DDD) |
- |
5. (2) |
4,4-DDT |
(See 4,4-DDD) |
(See 4,4-DDD) |
(See 4,4-DDD) |
2. (3) |
5. (2) |
Diazinon |
Spectracide |
Soil Insecticide |
Controls insects such as cut worms, wireworms, and maggots on fruit, vegetables and tobacco |
- |
|
Dibromochloropropane (DBCP) |
Nemafume |
Soil Fumigant |
Controls nematodes on berries, citrus, melons, and nuts |
0.2 |
|
Dicamba |
Banvel D |
Herbicide |
Controls broadleaf weeds in maize, sorghum, grains, and asparagus |
- |
|
Dicamba, 5-hydroxy- |
- |
Herbicide (Degradate) |
Controls annual and perennial broadleaf weed species in asparagus, cereals, grain and maize |
- |
|
3,5-dichlorobenzoic acid |
Dalapon |
Herbicide |
Controls perennial grasses |
- |
|
1,2-dichloropropane |
Propylene |
Soil Fumigant |
Controls nematodes in soil (Contaminant of a registered active ingredient) |
5. |
|
cis-1,3 dichloropropene |
Telone II |
Nematocide |
Controls nematodes in soil |
20. (3) |
|
trans-1,3 dichloropropene |
(See cis-1,3-dichloropropene) |
(See cis-1,3-dichloropropene) |
(See cis-1,3-dichloropropene) |
- |
|
Dichlorprop |
Maizeox RK. |
Herbicide |
Controls polygonum persicaria, galium, and aparine in cereals and pastures |
100. (3) |
|
Dichlorvos |
Herkol |
Insecticide with fumigant action |
Controls mosquitos, flies, aphids, and spider mites on fruits and vegetables |
- |
|
Dieldrin |
Heod |
Insecticide |
Controls soil insects such as locusts |
- |
|
Dinoseb |
DNBP |
Herbicide |
Controls potato vines and dessicating seed crops |
7. |
|
Diphenamid |
Dymid |
Herbicide |
Controls annual grasses and broadleaf weeds in groundnuts, tobacco and alfalfa |
- |
|
Disulfoton |
Dysyston |
Insecticide |
Controls insects and mites on seeds |
- |
|
Disulfoton sulfone |
(See Disulfoton) |
(Degradate) |
(See Disulfoton) |
- |
|
Disulfoton sulfoxide |
(See Disulfoton) |
(Degradate) |
(See Disulfoton) |
|
|
Diuron |
DCMU |
Herbicide |
Controls broadleaf and grassy weeds in wheat, barley, and bananas |
- |
|
Endosulfan I |
Thiodan |
Insecticide Acadcide (Degradate) |
Controls a variety of insects such as mites on cereals, coffee, cotton, fruit, oilseeds, potatoes, and tea. |
- |
|
Endosulfan II |
(See Endosulfan I) |
(Degradate) |
(See Endosulfan I) |
- |
|
Endosulfan sulfate |
(See Endosulfan I) |
(Degradate) |
(See Endosulfan I) |
- |
|
Endrin |
Nendrin |
Insecticide |
Controls insects on cotton, small grains, and grasshoppers in noncrop areas |
2. |
0.3 (2) |
Endrin aldehyde |
(See Endrin) |
(Degradate) |
(See Endrin) |
- |
|
EPTC |
EPTAM |
Herbicide |
Controls weeds in beans, potatoes and maize |
- |
|
Ethoprop |
Mocap |
Nematocide Insecticide |
Controls nematodes and insects on bananas, cabbage, and maize |
- |
|
Ethylene dibromide (EDB) |
Bromofume |
Insecticide |
Controls insects in soil and is an additive in leaded gasoline |
0.05 |
|
Ethylene thiourea (ETU) |
ETU |
Breakdown product of EBDC Fungicides |
EDBC controls fungus on roses and other flowers, potatoes, tomatoes, lettuce and apples |
- |
|
Etridiazole |
Koban |
Soil Fungicide |
Controls diseases of turf, beans, maize, cotton, sorghum |
- |
|
Fenamiphos |
Nemacur Inemacury |
Insecticide Nematocide |
Controls nematodes and insects on cotton, groundnuts, soybeans vegetables and fruit |
- |
|
Fenamiphos sulfone |
(See Fenamiphos) |
(Degradate) |
(See Fenamiphos) |
- |
|
Fenamiphos sulfoxide |
(See Fenamiphos) |
(Degradate) |
(See Fenamiphos) |
- |
|
Fenarimol |
Bloc |
Fungicide |
Protects against powdery mildew on apples, grapes and roses |
- |
|
Fenoprop (3) |
|
|
|
9. (3) |
|
Fluometuron |
Cotoron |
Herbicide |
Controls annual grasses, and broadleaf weeds |
- |
|
Fluridone |
Sonar |
Herbicide |
Controls annual grass and weeds in cotton fields |
- |
|
Glyphosate (4) |
Roundup |
Herbicide |
Nonselective broad spectrum herbicide used on cereals, beans and other crops (4) |
700. (2) |
|
alpha-HCH |
(See gamma-HCH) |
(See gamma-HCH) |
(See gamma-HCH) (Contaminant of a registered active ingredient) |
- |
|
beta-HCH |
(See gamma-HCH) |
(See gamma-HCH) |
(See gamma-HCH) (Contaminant of a registered active ingredient) |
- |
|
delta-HCH |
(See gamma-HCH) |
(See gamma-HCH) |
(See gamma-HCH) (Contaminant of a registered active ingredient) |
- |
|
gamma-HCH (Lindane) |
gamma BHC Lindane |
Insecticide |
Controls leafhoppers in lowland rice, and beetles in wood (is a Contaminant in a registered active ingredient) |
0.2 |
|
Heptachlor(2) |
Velsicol |
Insecticide |
Controls insects on maize, |
0.4 |
|
3-chlorochlorene |
|
alfalfa, hay and vegetables (is a Contaminant in a registered active ingredient) |
0.03 (3) |
0.3 |
|
Heptachlor epoxide(2) |
(See Heptachlor) |
(Degradate) |
(See Heptachlor) |
0.2 |
0.3 |
Hexachlorobenzene |
Anti-Carie |
Fungicide |
Controls fungus on wheat |
1. (1,3) |
|
Hexazinone |
Velpar |
Herbicide |
Controls selective weeds in conifers, sugarcane, pineapple, and pecans |
- |
|
Isoproturon (3) |
|
|
|
9. (3) |
|
Linuron |
Afalon |
Herbicide |
Controls weeds in field maize, carrots, celery, and potatoes |
- |
|
MCPA (3) |
|
|
|
2. (3) |
|
Mecoprop (3) |
|
|
|
10. (3) |
|
Merphos |
Folex |
Defoliant |
Acts as cotton defoliant |
- |
|
Methiocarb |
Mesurol |
Insecticide |
Controls insects on cherries, and acts as a bird repellant on cherries |
- |
|
Methomyl |
Lannate |
Insecticide |
Control a broad-spectrum of insects on agricultural and ornamental crops |
- |
|
Methoxychlor |
Malate |
Insecticide |
Controls insects on fruit and shade trees |
400. 20. (3) |
|
Methyl paraoxon |
E-600 |
Insecticide |
Controls a variety of insects |
- |
|
Metolachlor |
Dual |
Herbicide |
Controls weeds in woody ornamentals, sunflowers and maize |
10. (3) |
|
Metribuzin |
Sencor |
Herbicide |
Controls grass and broadleaf weeds in soybeans, wheat, barley, peas and lentils |
- |
|
Metribuzin DA |
(See Metribuzin) |
(Degradate) |
(See Metribuzin) |
- |
|
Metribuzin DADK |
(See Metribuzin) |
(Degradate) |
(See Metribuzin) |
- |
|
Metribuzin DK |
(See Metribuzin) |
(Degradate) |
(See Metribuzin) |
- |
|
Mevinphos |
Phosdrin |
Insecticide Acaricide |
Controls mites, beetles, grasshoppers, cutworms and leafhoppers on a broad range of vegetables and fruit |
- |
|
MDK 264 |
Van Dyke-264 |
Synergist |
Acts as a synergist for pyrethrin, allethrin, and rotenone |
- |
0.1 |
Mirex(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
Molinate |
Ordram |
Herbicide |
Controls germinating broad-leaves and watergrass in rice |
6. (3) |
|
Napropamide |
Devrinol |
Herbicide |
Controls annual grasses and broadleaf weeds |
- |
|
Neburon |
Kloben |
Herbicide |
Controls weeds and grasses in nursurey, ornamentals |
- |
|
4-Nitrophenol |
- |
Fungicide Breakdown product of parathion insecticides |
Degradate of parathion pesticides, controls a variety of insects such as aphids and mosquitoes on pears |
- |
|
Norflurazon |
Zorial |
Herbicide |
Controls insects on cotton, stone fruits, nuts, and cranberries |
- |
|
Oxamyl |
Vydate |
Insecticide |
Controls insects, mites, and nematodes on crops and fruit' |
200. |
|
Pentachlorophenol (PCP) |
Dowicide 7 |
Fungicide Insecticide Defoliant Herbicide |
Protects timber from fungal rot and insects |
200. |
|
Pebulate |
Tillam |
Herbicide |
Controls annual grasses, nut sledge, and broadleaf weeds in sugar beets, tobacco and tomatoes |
|
|
Pendimethalin (3) |
|
|
|
20. (3) |
|
Permethrin |
Ambush |
Insecticide |
Controls a broad range of insects in cotton |
20. (3) |
|
Picloram |
Tordon |
Herbicide |
Controls broadleaf and woody plants in pastures and rangeland |
500. |
|
Prometon |
Gesagram |
Herbicide |
Controls perennials, broadleaf weeds, and grasses in non-crop areas |
- |
|
Prometryn |
Gesagard |
Herbicide |
Controls weeds in cotton, peas, carrots, and vegetables |
- |
|
Pronamide |
Kerb |
Herbicide |
Controls weeds and grass in lettuce, legumes, and trees |
- |
|
Propachlor |
Bexton |
Herbicide |
Controls grasses and certain broadleaf weeds |
- |
|
Propanil |
Rogue |
Herbicide |
Controls weeds in rice and 20. (3) and potatoes |
20. (3) |
|
Propazine |
Gesomil |
Herbicide |
Controls annual broadleaf weeds and grasses in sorghum |
- |
|
Propham |
IPC |
Herbicide |
Controls weeds in alfalfa, lettuce, spinach, sugar beets, lentils, and peas |
- |
|
Pyridate (3) |
|
|
100. (3) |
100. (3) |
|
Simazine |
Princep |
Herbicide |
Controls annual grasses and 1. weeds in crops, especially 2. (3) maize, and fruit such as citrus, asparagus, and nuts |
1. |
|
Simetryn |
Gy-bon |
Herbicide |
Controls broadleaf weeds in rice |
- |
|
Stirofos |
Gardona |
Insecticide |
Controls insects on maize, cotton, vines, and fruit |
- |
|
Swep |
SWEP |
Herbicide |
Controls weeds on rice, maize, peas, and groundnuts |
- |
|
2,4,5-T (Trichloropheno-xyacetic acid) |
Weedone |
Herbicide |
Controls woody plants in 9. (3) industrial areas |
9. (3) |
|
Tebuthiuron |
Graslan |
Herbicide |
Controls vegetative weeds in non-crop and rangeland |
- |
|
Terbacil |
Sinbar |
Herbicide |
Controls annual and perennial weeds in sugar can, alfalfa, apples, peaches, citrus, pecans and mint |
- |
|
Terbufos |
Counter |
Insecticide |
Controls soil insects and nematodes on maize, vegetables, and sorghum |
- |
|
Terbutryn |
Igram |
Herbicide |
Controls weeds in winter wheat and barley |
- |
|
Toxaphene (2) |
|
|
|
|
5. (2) |
2,4,5-TP (Trichlorophenol) |
Silvex |
Herbicide |
Controls weeds and brush in 50. rangeland, sugar cane, and rice |
50. |
|
Triademefon |
Bayleton |
Fungicide |
Controls mildew and rusts on vegetables, cereals, coffee, and fruit |
- |
|
Tricyclazole |
Beam |
Fungicide |
Controls fungus in seeded rice |
- |
|
Trifluralin |
Treflan |
Herbicide |
Controls annual grasses, weeds in soy beans, cotton, and vegetables |
20. (3) |
|
Vernolate |
Vernam |
Herbicide |
Controls broadleaf and grassy weeds |
- |
|
FAO TECHNICAL PAPERS
FAO IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE PAPERS
1 |
Irrigation practice and water management, 1972 (Ar* E* F* S*) |
1 Rev. 1 |
Irrigation practice and water management, 1984 (E) |
2 |
Irrigation canal lining, 1971 (New edition, 1977, available in E, F and S in the FAO Land and Water Development Series, No. 1) |
3 |
Design criteria for basin irrigation systems, 1971 (E*) |
4 |
Village irrigation programmes - a new approach in water economy, 1971 (E* F) |
5 |
Automated irrigation, 1971 (E* F* S*) |
6 |
Drainage of heavy soils, 1971 (E* F S*) |
7 |
Salinity seminar, Baghdad, 1971 (E* F) |
8 |
Water and the environment, 1971 (E* F* S*) |
9 |
Drainage materials, 1972 (E* F* S*) |
10 |
Integrated farm water management, 1971 (E* F* S*) |
11 |
Planning methodology seminar, Bucharest, 1972 (E* F*) |
12 |
Farm water management seminar, Manila, 1972 (E*) |
13 |
Water use seminar, Damascus, 1972 (E* F*) |
14 |
Trickle irrigation, 1973 (E* F* S*) |
15 |
Drainage machinery, 1973 (E* F*) |
16 |
Drainage of salty soils, 1973 (C* E* F* S*) |
17 |
Man's influence on the hydrological cycle, 1973 (E* F* S*) |
18 |
Groundwater seminar, Granada, 1973 (E* F S) |
19 |
Mathematical models in hydrology, 1973 (E) |
20/1 |
Water laws in Moslem countries - Vol. 1, 1973 (E* F) |
20/2 |
Water laws in Moslem countries - Vol. 2, 1978 (E F) |
21 |
Groundwater models, 1973 (E) |
22 |
Water for agriculture - index, 1973 (E/F/S*) |
23 |
Simulation methods in water development, 1974 (E F* S*) |
24 |
Crop water requirements, (rev.) 1977 (C* E F S) |
25 |
Effective rainfall, 1974 (C* E* F* S*) |
26/1 |
Small hydraulic structures - Vol. 1, 1975 (E F S) |
26/2 |
Small hydraulic structures - Vol. 2, 1975 (E F S) |
27 |
Agro-meteorological field stations, 1976 (E F* S*) |
28 |
Drainage testing, 1976 (E F S) |
29 |
Water quality for agriculture, 1976 (E* F* S*) |
29 Rev. 1 |
Water quality for agriculture, 1985 (C** E F S) |
30 |
Self-help wells, 1977 (E) |
31 |
Groundwater pollution, 1979 (C* E S) |
32 |
Deterministic models in hydrology, 1979 (E) |
33 |
Yield response to water, 1979 (C* E F S) |
34 |
Corrosion and encrustation in water wells, 1980 (E) |
35 |
Mechanized sprinkler irrigation, 1982 (C E F S) |
36 |
Localized irrigation, 1980 (Ar C E F S) |
37 |
Arid zone hydrology, 1981 (C* E*) |
38 |
Drainage design factors, 1980 (Ar C E F S) |
39 |
Lysimeters, 1982 (C E F S) |
40 |
Organization, operation and maintenance of irrigation schemes, 1982 (C** E F S*) |
41 |
Environmental management for vector control in rice fields, 1984 (E F S) |
42 |
Consultation on irrigation in Africa, 1987 (E F) |
43 |
Water lifting devices, 1986 (E) |
44 |
Design and optimization of irrigation distribution networks, 1988 (E F) |
45 |
Guidelines for designing and evaluating surface irrigation systems, 1989 (E) |
46 |
CROPWAT - a computer program for irrigation planning and management, 1992 (E F S) |
47 |
Wastewater treatment and use in agriculture, 1992 (E) |
48 |
The use of saline waters for crop production, 1993 (E) |
49 |
CLIMWAT for CROPWAT, 1993 (E) |
50 |
Le pompage éolien, 1994 (F) |
51 |
Prospects for the drainage of clay soils, 1995 (E) |
52 |
Reforming water resources policy -A guide to methods, processes and practices, 1995 (E) |
53 |
Environmental impact assessment of irrigation and drainage projects, 1995 (A) |
54 |
Crues et apports, 1996 (F) |
55 |
Control of water pollution from agriculture, 1996 (E) |
Availability: October 1996
Ar - Arabic
C - Chinese
E - English
F - French
P - Portuguese
S - Spanish
Multil - Multilingual
* Out of print
** In preparation
The FAO Technical Papers are available through the authorized FAO Sales Agents or directly from Sales and Marketing Group, FAO, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100 Rome, Italy.
Agricultural operations can contribute to water quality deterioration through the release of several materials into water: sediments, pesticides, animal manure, fertilizers and other sources of inorganic and organic matter. This "guidelines" document on control and management of agricultural water pollution aims to delineate the nature and consequences of agricultural impacts on water quality, and to provide a framework for practical measures to be undertaken by relevant professionals and decision-makers control water pollution.