Azinphos-methyl

Azinphos-methyl is an organophosphate insecticide closely related to azinphos-ethyl, formerly sprayed on orchards, vineyards, and field crops to control a broad range of insect pests. Its high acute toxicity to humans and wildlife, including severe hazards to bees and aquatic organisms, led to phase-outs and cancellations in the EU and the United States. Maximum residue limits and monitoring continue to apply for any remaining authorized uses elsewhere in the world, and imported produce is screened against those limits. The compound’s regulatory history, from widely used orchard workhorse to restricted substance, mirrors the broader reassessment of older organophosphates as safer alternatives became available.