Nitrofen Explained

Nitrofen is an herbicide of the diphenyl ether class. Because of concerns about its carcinogenicity, the use of nitrofen has been banned in the European Union[1] and in the United States since 1996.[2] It has been superseded by related protoporphyrinogen oxidase enzyme inhibitors including acifluorfen and fomesafen.

In 2002, Nitrofen was detected in organic feed, organic eggs, and organic poultry products in Germany prompting a scandal which caused a decline in all organic meat sales in Europe.[3] [4]

Nitrofen is listed as an IARC Group 2B carcinogen, meaning it is "possibly carcinogenic to humans".[5]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.pan-uk.org/pestnews/Issue/pn57/pn57p20a.htm Banned pesticide in German grain
  2. Web site: Nitrofen . University of Hertfordshire . Pesticide Properties Database . 2021-03-03.
  3. http://www.just-food.com/news/nitrofen-scandal-causes-organic-meat-sales-to-dip_id69439.aspx Nitrofen scandal causes organic meat sales to dip
  4. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/jun/12/medicalscience.bse Organic scandal halts Germany's green revolution
  5. http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Classification/ClassificationsGroupOrder.pdf IARC Monographs - Classifications - by Group