Chemical Class: carbamate
Mode of Action: Inhibits acetocholinesterase and so damages nerve function.
Immediate Effects: Sensory and behavioral disturbances; uncoordination; depressed motor functions; malaise; muscle weakness; dizziness; sweating; headache; salivation; nausea; vomiting; abdominal pain; slurred speech; difficult breathing; blurred vision; muscle twitching; spasms; convulsions; diarrhea; depression of cholinesterases even more prominently in fetus; skin sensitization.
Long Term Effects: Memory loss; behavioral defects; suspect mutagens; mutagens; carcinogens; cataracts; suspect carcinogens; teratogens; spleen, bone marrow, liver and testes damage; reduced sperm levels; fetotoxins; suspect viral enhancers; increased organ weights; decreased body weights; anemia; decreased hemoglobin; decreased fertility from ovary and testes damage; may convert to N-nitroso compounds in soil and in vivo with saliva.
Environmental Effects: Can disrupt schooling behavior of fish; teratogens in fish; toxic to earthworms (thiophanate methyl); reduction in earthworm and invertebrate populations (WHO 1986, pp. 56-57); groundwater contaminants.
Examples of pesticides in this class:
Pesticides marked with this icon 
are listed in the Environmental Protection Agency Toxics Release Inventory.