About Chlorpyrifos

It's easy to take our quality of life for granted, but even today, insect pests cause billions of dollars worth of damage and threaten our food supply, our property, our health, and the livelihood of our growers. Chlorpyrifos is an insecticide and was discovered by The Dow Chemical Company in 1962.

Worldwide Acceptance
Chlorpyrifos is one of the most-widely used active ingredients for pest control products in the world. It is used to protect a number of important agricultural crops, such as corn, citrus, alfalfa, peanuts, and others, from pest insect attack. Chlorpyrifos was first registered in 1965 and has been on the market for more than forty years. Today, it is registered in more than 98 countries worldwide, including most developed nations. Dursban* and Lorsban* insecticides are frequently used trade names for chlorpyrifos.

Crop and Health Protection
Chlorpyrifos is one of the great success stories in pest control today. Growers count on chlorpyrifos insecticide to defend more than 50 different crops against damage caused by insect pests.

Proven Protection and Quality
More than 3,600 studies have been conducted examining critical aspects of chlorpyrifos products as they relate to health and safety. More than US $100 million has been spent examining the uses and impact of chlorpyrifos-containing products on human health and the environment. In terms of human health and safety, no pest control product has been more thoroughly studied.

Mode of Action
Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate insecticide. Like other organophosphates, its insecticidal action is due to the inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, resulting in the accumulation of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, at nerve endings. This results in excessive transmission of nerve impulses, which causes mortality in the target pest.

Dow AgroSciences LLC
Dow AgroSciences LLC is the primary manufacturer of chlorpyrifos. Other companies in China, Denmark, India and Israel also manufacture chlorpyrifos.

Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, is a top-tier agricultural company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. Dow AgroSciences provides innovative technologies for crop protection, pest and vegetation management, seeds, traits, and agricultural biotechnology to serve the world's growing population.  Global sales for Dow AgroSciences, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, are $3.8 billion. Learn more at www.dowagro.com

Labels and Safety Data Sheets
To download information on chlorpyrifos products, visit the Labels and Safety Data Sheets web site. Labels and safety data sheets for Dow AgroSciences products are available by region: North America; Europe, Middle East and Africa; Latin America; and Asia-Pacific.

The conclusions that are contained within this chlorpyrifos.com web site relating to toxicological and/or environmental properties and effects are based on research and studies conducted by Dow AgroSciences or third parties. All such conclusions and findings are considered to be the opinions of Dow AgroSciences. Data substantiating these conclusions are available upon request.