Carbamate insecticide methomyl confers cytotoxicity through DNA damage induction

► Cytotoxicity of methomyl was investigated. ► Methomyl induced DNA damage and apoptosis in Drosophila S2, HEK293 and HeLa cells. ► Methomyl induced DNA damage via both alkaline comet assay and γH2AX foci formation. ► Methomyl induced the apoptosis-associated DNA fragmentation.