Diuron is a phenylurea herbicide that inhibits photosynthesis by preventing the formation of ATP and NADH.1 It decreases total respiration in roots of wheat by 50% and ground respiration by 100% when used at a concentration of 25 nM/ml.2 Diuron (2,500 ppm, dietary) increases the incidence of urinary bladder urothelial carcinomas in male and female mice by 73 and 27%, respectively.1 It increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma and BeWo human placental choriocarcinoma cells when used at a concentration of 200 ?M and reduces viability of BeWo, but not MCF-7, cells when used at concentrations of 50 and 200 ?M.3 Formulations containing diuron have been used to control broadleaf and grass weeds and as a biocidal antifouling agent.
1.Da Rocha, M.S., Arnold, L.L., De Oliveira, M.L., et al.Diuron-induced rat urinary bladder carcinogenesis: Mode of action and human relevance evaluations using the International Programme on Chemical Safety frameworkCrit. Rev. Toxicol.44(5)393-406(2014) 2.Lundeg?rdh, H.The influence of diuron [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea] on the respiratory and photosynthetic systems of plantsProc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA53(4)703-710(1965) 3.Huovinen, M., Loikkanen, J., Naarala, J., et al.Toxicity of diuron in human cancer cellsToxicol. In Vitro29(7)1577-1586(2015)