Linuron

Linuron is a herbicide that is widely used in the control of weeds in certain crops, such as soybeans, potatoes, and carrots. It is a member of the phenylurea class of herbicides, which also includes diuron, fluometuron, and siduron. Linuron is a selective herbicide, meaning it is designed to kill specific plants while leaving the desired crop relatively unharmed.

Linuron works by inhibiting photosynthesis in the target plants. It does this by blocking the electron transport process in photosystem II, which is a key part of the photosynthesis process. This prevents the plant from converting sunlight into energy, causing it to die.

In addition to its use as a herbicide, linuron has also been used as a rodenticide. However, its use in this capacity is less common due to concerns about its potential impact on non-target species, including humans.

Health and environmental effects

Linuron has been classified as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). This classification is based on evidence from animal studies, which have shown that exposure to linuron can cause tumors in rats and mice.

In the environment, linuron can persist for several months to a year, depending on conditions. It is moderately to highly toxic to aquatic life, and can also affect non-target plants if it is applied inappropriately or at too high a concentration.

Regulation

In the European Union, linuron has been banned since 2017 due to its potential health and environmental effects. In the United States, it is classified as a Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP), meaning it can only be used by certified applicators.

See also

• Herbicide
• Pesticide
• Carcinogen

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