The information in this profile may be out-of-date. It was last revised in 1996. EXTOXNET no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

Please visit the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) to find updated pesticide fact sheets. If you don't find a fact sheet related to your question, feel free to call 1-800-858-7378. NPIC is open five days a week from 8:00am to 12:00pm Pacific Time.





E X T O X N E T

Extension Toxicology Network

Pesticide Information Profiles

A Pesticide Information Project of Cooperative Extension Offices of Cornell University, Oregon State University, the University of Idaho, and the University of California at Davis and the Institute for Environmental Toxicology, Michigan State University. Major support and funding was provided by the USDA/Extension Service/National Agricultural Pesticide Impact Assessment Program.

EXTOXNET primary files maintained and archived at Oregon State University

Revised June 1996


Amitrole


Trade and Other Names: Amitrole is known as amino-triazole in Great Britain, France, New Zealand, and the former U.S.S.R. Trade names include Amerol, Amino Triazole, Amitrol, Amizine, Amizol, Azolan, Azole, Cytrol, Diurol, and Weedazol.

Regulatory Status: Amitrole is a Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP). RUPs may be purchased and used only by certified applicators. Amitrole is classified as toxicity class III - slightly toxic. Products containing amitrole bear the Signal Word CAUTION. All use of amitrole on food crops was canceled by the EPA in 1971 because it caused cancer in experimental animals.

Chemical Class: triazole

Introduction: Amitrole is a nonselective systemic triazole herbicide. It is used on non-cropland for control of annual grasses and perennial and annual broadleaf weeds, for poison ivy control, and for control of aquatic weeds in marshes and drainage ditches (1). This compound is compatible with many other herbicides. It is available as wettable powders, soluble concentrates, and water dispersable granules.

Amitrole was involved in the Delaney Clause's first enforcement. The Delaney Clause prohibits any amount of any cancer causing substance to be a food additive, prompting growers to follow pesticide label directions carefully. In 1959, amitrole was registered for post harvest use on cranberries. Misuse left small residues on portions of cranberry crops. Just 13 days before Thanksgiving, 1587 metric tons of cranberries were seized by the Food and Drug Administration; and just 3 days before Thanksgiving, the FDA certified sufficient cranberries to meet holiday demands and end the "Cranberry Crisis".

Formulation: It is available as wettable powders, soluble concentrates, and water dispersable granules.

Toxicological Effects:

Ecological Effects:

Environmental Fate:

Physical Properties:

Exposure Guidelines:

Basic Manufacturer:

Rhone-Poulenc Ag. Co.
P.O. Box 12014
2 T.W. Alexander Dr.
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

References:

References for the information in this PIP can be found in Reference List Number 8




DISCLAIMER: The information in this profile does not in any way replace or supersede the information on the pesticide product labeling or other regulatory requirements. Please refer to the pesticide product labeling.