title: Methyl parathion in residential properties: relocation and decontamination methodology.
abstract: In November 1994 methyl parathion (MP), a restricted agricultural pesticide, was discovered to have been illegally sprayed within hundreds of residences in Lorain County, Ohio. Surface levels and air concentrations of MP revealed detectable levels of the pesticide 3 years after spraying. Because of the high toxicity of MP (lethal dose to 50% of rats tested [LD50] = 15 mg/kg) and long half-life indoors, risk-based relocation and decontamination criteria were created. Relocation criteria were derived based on levels of p-nitrophenol in urine, a metabolic byproduct of MP exposure. In Ohio, concentrations of MP on surfaces and in the air were also used to trigger relocations. The criteria applied in Ohio underwent refinement as cases of MP misuse were found in Mississippi and then in several other states. The MP investigation (1994-1997) was the largest pesticide misuse case in the nation, ultimately involving the sampling of 9,000 residences and the decontamination of 1,000 properties. This article describes the methodology used for relocation of residents and decontamination of properties having MP.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Chicago, Illinois 60604, USA. clark.jmilton@epa.gov
authors.forename: J Milton
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bing-Canar
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Renninger
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dollhopf
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: El-Zein
authors.forename: Dave
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Star
authors.forename: Dea
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zimmerman
authors.forename: Abul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Anisuzzaman
authors.forename: Kathline
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Boylan
authors.forename: Terrence
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tomaszewski
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pearce
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yacovac
authors.forename: Bobby
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Erlwein
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ward
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007300:Insect Control; D007306:Insecticides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008743:Methyl Parathion / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009596:Nitrophenols / Q000652:urine; D009820:Ohio; D011640:Public Policy; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014186:Transportation
chemical_list: D007306:Insecticides; D009596:Nitrophenols; D008743:Methyl Parathion; C024836:4-nitrophenol