TFM (3- trifluoromethyl-4- nitrophenol) is a common piscicide, i.e., a fish

poison Poison is a chemical substance that has a detrimental effect to life. The term is used in a wide range of scientific fields and industries, where it is often specifically defined. It may also be applied colloquially or figuratively, with a broa ...

used to combat parasitic and

invasive species An invasive species otherwise known as an alien is an introduced organism that becomes overpopulated and harms its new environment. Although most introduced species are neutral or beneficial with respect to other species, invasive species ad ...

of fish. The substance was discovered in 1958 when researching means to combat sea lampreys and it remains the primary lampricide (lamprey-killer) in the Great Lakes area. TFM toxicity has not been thoroughly investigated for humans, but is considered an irritant, respiratory irritant, and toxic by the manufacturer. Toxicity studies of other mammals have generally found it to be non-toxic at concentrations expected to be found in treated areas. Impact on other fish species may be controlled by selective application during the larvae season for lampreys and other management of its concentration. TFM does not accumulate, since it breaks down within several days.

References

Pesticides Agnatha Fisheries science Nitrophenols Trifluoromethyl compounds {{jawless-fish-stub