Clomazone: one of the latest really low toxic multi-crop herbicides?

To reduce pollution and risks of pesticides, numerous studies and research are carried out to identify new degradable compounds, identify more effective and less dangerous formulations. For this reason, hundreds of new compounds and formulations are continuously available every year. Use, programs and controls of these chemical compounds are not uniform all over the world. In some poor or developing countries, means to control exposures and risks, associated with these substances, are not available or limited. The main active components of herbicides, registered in the world in 2019, were clomazone and isoproturon, used as single agents or mixed with other components. The use of Clomazone, in particular, has grown in many countries, but in China and other emerging economies in the recent past there has not been the expected expansion, despite the growing world demand. In fact, many Chinese producers have ceased the production of this compound for its higher production costs than other substances. However, analysts expect an increase, for the next years, of clomazone consumption for various reasons, first of all, because it is considered much less toxic than other products. However, in the absence of indications deriving from long periods use, it seems evident the need to avoid recourse to the massive use of this herbicide by carefully observing the indications and precautions provided by the appropriate international bodies (US EPA, EFSA, etc.). As regards the studies on the effects on the reproductive functions of both terrestrial and marine animal organisms, it is evident the need to increase their number, until now completely insufficient.