United State* Office of Pettictdei and Toxic Subrtance*
Environmental Protection Office of Pesticide Program (TS-766C)
Agency Washington, DC 20460
f/EPA Pesticide
Fact Sheet
Name of Chemical: carbofuran
Reason for Issuance: Registration Standard
Date Issued: June 25, 1984
Fact Sheet Number:
24
1. Description of Chemical
Generic name: 2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranyl
methylcarbamate
Common name: carbofuran
Trade Names and code numbers: Furadan, Curaterr, Yaltox,
Bay 78537, D 1221 ENT 27164, FMC 10242, and NIA 10242
EPA Shaughnessy code: 090601
Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) number: 1563-66-2
Year of initial registration: 1969
Pesticide type: insecticide, nematicide
Chemical family: carbamate
U. S. producer: FMC Corporation
2. Use Patterns and formulations
Application sites: Fruit and field crops, vegetables, tobacco,
ornamentals and forest trees
Types and methods of applications: aerial and ground appli-
cation as a granular or spray
Application rates: 0.5 to 10 Ibs a.i./acre
Usual carriers: (Confidential Business Information)
3. Science Findings;
Summary;
Chemical Characteristics;
Technical carbofuran is a white crystalline solid with a
melting point of 153 - 154°C and a vapor pressure of 2xlO~5
mm Hg at 33°C. The empirical formula is Ci2H15N03
and the molecular weight is 221.3. Solubility in water is
700 ppm. Other solubilities include 30% in N-methyl-2-
pyrrolidone, 25% in dimethyl sulfoxide, 15% in acetone,
14% in acetonitrile, 12% in methylene chloride, 9% in
cyclohexanone, and 4% in benzene.
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Carbofuran
fact sheet —2—
Toxicological characteristics :
Current available acute tçxicological studies on carbofuran
show the following:
— Acute oral toxicity: rat, LD 50 3.8—34.5 mg/kg;
mouse, LD5O 14.4 mg/kg cat, 2.5 — 3.5 mg/kg; dog,
LDSO 15—18.9 mg/kg (Tox Category I)
— Acute dermal toxicity: rabbit, LD 50 in isopropanol <46.4;
LD5O in water >10,250; 75WP formulation LD 5 in
water, 3400 (Toxicity Category I)
— Acute inhalation: (dust) rat. lhr. LD 5 0.80 — 0.108 mg/L;
rat 4 hr. LOSO 0.075—0.108 mg/L; rat. lhr. LD5Q
>0.026 mg/L; rat, 4 hr. 0.017 — 0.047 mg/L
(Toxicity Category I)
— Primary eye irritation and primary dermal irritation
not done since this is a category I material precluding
condition of meaningful studies. (Assumed to be
Toxicity Category I)
Major routes of exposure: Application by ground and aerial
spray equipment increases the potential for exposure of
humans, livestock, and wildlife due to spray drift. Human
exposure to carbofuran from handling, application, and
reentry operations would be minimized by the use of approved
respirators and other protective clothing.
Physiological and Biochemical characteristics
Mechanism of pesticidal action: Cholinesterase inhibition
following contact with treated surfaces or soil and/or
ingestion of treated plant tissue.
Metabolism in plants and animals is similar, carbofurane is
systemic in plants. Like other carbamates, metabolized
rapidly in animals into less toxic and finally non—toxic
rnetabolites.
Environmental Characteristics
Carbofuran degrades fairly slowly in non—sterile, neutral or
acid aerobic soils with half—lives ranging from 1—8 weeks.
it is more stable in sterile soil and unstable under alkaline
conditions. Under anaerobic conditions carboturan is more
stable and may take twice as long to degrade. The major
degradates of concern are the 3—hydroxy carbamate and 7—
phenol products resulting from hydrolysis. The metabolites
of carbofuran are less toxic than the parent compound.
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Carboforan
fact sheet .3 . . . .
Carbofuran is mobile in soil, particularly sandy soil with
high percolation rate. It has been found in shallow
aquifers under or near treated fields in three states at
levels up to 5oppb.
Ecological Characteristics
Acute avian oral toxicity; LD 50 90—5 mg/kg
Avian subacute dietary toxicity; LD5Ř 16—1104 ppm
Freshwater fish acute toxicity; L.CSO 94—2859 ppb
Acute toxicity for freshwater invertebrates; 9.8—38.6 ppb
Based on studies available to assess hazards to wildlife
and aquatic organisms carbofuran is characterized as very
highly toxic to cold water and warm water fish, highly
toxic to freshwater invertebrates and very highly toxic to
birds. Label precautions reduce the hazard to wildlife and
aquatic organisms.
Monitoring studies are being required to allow a better
assessment of the actual effects of carbofuran use on non—
target organisms under field conditions. Primary emphasis
will be on effects of use of carbofuran on bird populations.
Efficacy Review Results : none conducted.
Tolerance Assessment :
The previously established tolerances for residues of
carbofuran and its cholinesterase — inhibiting metabo—
lites are published in 40 CFR 180.254, 21 CFR 193.43,
and 21 CFR 561.67. A summary of these tolerances follows:
Maximum Residue
U. S. Tolerances Limits PPM)
Crop Carbamate Total
alfalfa forage 5.0 10.0
alfalfa hay 20.0 40.0
bananas 0.1
barley, grain 0.1 0.2
barley, straw 1.0 5.0
cattle, (fat, meat, and meat 0.02 0.05
byproducts)
coffee beans 0.1
corn, field and popcorn—grain 0.1 0.2
corn, fresh—kernels and cob (husk
removed) 0.2 1.0
corn fodder and forage, field,
pop—, and sweet 5.0 25.0
cottonseed 0.2 1.0
cranberries 0.3 0.5
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Carbofuran
fact sheet
—4—
Maximum Residue
U. S. Tolerances (continued) Limits (PPM)
Crop Carbamate Total
cucumbers 0.2 0.4
goats, (fat, meat, and meat 0.02 0.05
byproducts)
grapes 0.2 0.4
grapes, dried pomace 1.5 2.0
hogs (fat, meat, and meat 0.02 0.05
byproducts)
horses, (fat, meat, and 0.02 0.05
meat byproducts)
melons 0.2 0.4
milk 0.02 0.1
oats, grain 0.1 0.2
oats, straw 1.0 5.0
peanuts 1.5 4.0
peanut hulls 8.0 10.0
peanut soapstock 3.0 24.0
peppers 0.2 1.0
potatoes 1.0 2.0
pumpkins 0.6 0.8
raisins 1.0 2.0
raisin waste 3.0 6.0
rice, grain — 0.2
rice, straw 0.2 1.0
sheep, (fat, meat, and meat 0.02 0.05
byproducts)
sorghum, (grain) — 0.1
sorghum, (grain), forage & fodder 0.5 3.0
soybeans 0.2 1.0
soybean, forage and hay 20.0 35.0
soybean, soapstock 1.0 6.0
squash 0.6 0.8
strawberries 0.2 0.5
sugar beets — 0.1
sugar beet tops 1.0 2.0
sugarcane — 0.1
sunflower 0.4 0.8
sunflower seed hulls and meal 0.5 1.0
sweet potato 0.6* 2.0*
tobacco N/A N/A
wheat, grain 0.1 0.2
wheat, straw 1.0 5.0
*proposed
N/A not applicable — nonfood use
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Carbofuran fact 5
sheet
The data for carbofuran residues in or on the following
agricultural commodities are adequate to fill the residue
data requirements: sugar beet tops, soybean, soybean soapstock,
soybean forage and hay, cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, squash,
cranberries, raisins, strawberries, barley grain, oat grain,
wheat grain, barley straw, oat straw, wheat straw, cottonseed,
peanuts, the fat, meat and meat—by—products’ of cattle, goats,
hogs, horses, and sheep, milk, poultry, and eggs. However,
although additional data are not required to to support the
tolerances for milk, peanuts, peanut hulls, and fatty acids
of peanut soapstock, the tolerances for these agricultural
commodities must be changed as follows:
Commodity Present Tolerance Change Tolerance To
Carbamate Total Carbamate Total
milk 0.02 ppm 0.1 ppm 0.05 ppm 0.2 ppm
peanuts 1.5 ppm 5.0 ppm 0.2 ppm 0.6 ppm
peanut hulls 8.0 ppm 10.0 ppm 0.3 ppm 1.5 ppm
peanut soapstone 3.0 ppm 24.0 ppm 1.0 ppm 6.0 ppm
Additional residue data are required for the following com-
modities (and their processed products, if applicable):
potato, sugar beets, peppers, grapes (including dried pomace
and raisin waste), corn (grain, forage and fodder), rice
(grain and straw), sorghum (grain, forage and fodder), alfalfa
forage and hay, bananas, coffee, sugarcane and tobacco. No
crop groupings can be established at this time because of
residue chemistry data gaps. Compatability between Codex
MRLs and U.S. tolerances will be assessed when data have
been submitted and evaluated.
The previously established Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for
carbofuran is 0.005 mg/kg/day and the Theoretical maximum
Residue Concentration (TMRC), based on the established toler-
ances for residues of carbofuran as cited under 40 CFR
180.254, is 0.3415 mg/day for a 1.5 kg food diet for a 60 KG
person. The TMRC is 113.84% of the ADI. Actual concentra-
tions of carbofuran are likely to be substantially lower
than the ADI since the 113% calculation assumes 100% of
all crops on the label were treated.
4. Summary of Regulatory Position and Rationale
Use classification: Restricted
(This and other label revisions to appear on all products
released for shipment after September 1, 1985 and on all
products in channels of trade after September 1, 1986)
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Carbofuran
fact shaet —6—
Use restrictions: Do not use on Long Island, New York
Unique warning statement required on labels: Labels
for all manufacturing use products (MP5) containing
carbofuran must bear statements reflecting the hazards
to man and the environment (40 CFR 162.101. Carbofuran
is in Toxicity Category I on the basis of acute toxic
effects.
° Based on the data reviewed by the Agency, the environ-
mental hazards statement below is required to appear
on all MPS containing Carbofuran.
This pesticide is toxic to fish, birds and other
wildlife. Do not discharge into lakes, streams,
ponds, estuaries, oceans or public water unless
this product is specifically identified and
addressed in an NPDES permit. Do not discharge
effluent containing this product to sewer systems
without previously notifying the sewage treatment
plant authority. For guidance, contact your State
Water Board or Regional Office of the Environmental
Protection Agency.
Labels for all end—use products (EPs) containing carbofuran
must bear a statement reflecting the hazard to man and the
environment (40 CFR 162.10]
“ Restricted Use Pesticides ”
“For retail sale to and use only by
certified applicators or persons
under their direct supervision and
only for those uses covered by the
certified applicator’s certification.”
The “Directions for Use” section of the label must
include the following statements:
GeorgaphiCal Use Restrictions :
“Do not use this product on Long Island, N. Y.”
Rotational Crops :
“Do not plant any crop other than those with
registered carbofuran uses in carbofuran—
treated soil sooner than 18 months after
last application”
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Carbofuran .7.
fact sheet
Reentry :
“If prolonged intimate contact with corn and/or
sorghum foliage will result, do not re—enter
treated fields within 14 days of application
without wearing proper protective clothing. For
all other situations, do not re—enter fields
less than 24 hours following application.”
Based on data reviewed by the Agency, the following
human and environmental hazards statements are
required to appear on the EP products.
The following precautions must be included in the “Hazards
to humans and Domestic Animals” section of the product label:
“Poisonous if swallowed. May be fatal or
harmful as a result of skin or eye contact
or by breathing dust. Causes cholinesterase
inhibition, Warning symptoms of poisoning
include weakness, headache, sweating, nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea, tightness in chest,
blurred vision, pinpoint eye pupils, abnormal
flow of saliva, abdominal cramps, and
unconsciousness. Atropine sulfate is antidotal. ”
“In case of skin contact, wash skin immediately
with soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing
and wash before reuse. In case of swallowing,
drink 1 or 2 glasses of water and induce vomiting
by touching back of throat with finger. Do not
induce vomiting or give anything by mouth to an
unconscious person.”
“wear long—sleeved clothing and protective gloves
when handling. Wash hands and face before eating
or smoking. Bathe at the end of the work day.
Change clothing daily and wash before reuse.
The following statements must appear under the heading
“Environmental Hazards.”
i. “Carbofuran is known to leach through soil,
and has been found in groundwater as a result
of agricultural use. Users are advised not
to apply in areas where soils are permeable,
i. e., well drained, and which overlie shallow
aquifers, particularly those currently being
used for drinking water. Consult with the
pesticide state lead agency for information
regarding soil permeability and aquifer locations
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Carbofuran —8—
fact sheet
ii. Granular products except for use on rice: “This
product is toxic to fish, birds and other wildlife.
Birds feeding on treated areas may be killed.
Covet or incorporate granules in spill areas.
Runoff from treated areas may be hazardous to fish
in neighboring areas. Do not apply directly to
water or wetlands. Do not contaminate wells, wet-
lands or any body of water by cleaning of equip-
ment or disposal of waste.”
iii. Granular products used on rtce:
Same as for the granular products except
delete “DO not apply directly to water”
and substitute “Fish may be killed at
recommend rates.”
iv. Non—granular products:
“This product is toxic to fish, birds and
other wildlife. Birds feeding on treated
areas may be killed. Drift and runoff from
treated areas may be hazardous to fish in
neighboring areas. Do not apply directly
to water. This pesticide is highly toxic
to bees exposed to direct treatment or
residues on crops. Do not apply this
product or allow it to drift to blooming
crops or weeds if bees are visiting the
treatment area.”
v. Non—granular products used on potatoes and/or
alfalfa:
“For waterfowl protection, do not apply
immediately before or during irrigation,
or on fields in proximity of waterfowl
nesting areas, or on fields where waterfowl
are known to repeatedly feed.”
5. Summary of Major Data Gaps
Product Chemistry: Data on product formation of ingredients,
preliminary analysis and certification of limits are the
major product chemistry gaps.
Residue Chemistry: Additional data are required to
support the tolerances for a variety of crops. Residue
chemistry data requirements are outlined in detail
in the tolerance assessment in Section 3 of this Fact Sheet.
Wildlife and aquatic organisms: The primary concern is
monitoring bird populations following commercial application
to determine extent of adverse effects, particularly on
songbirds and raptors.
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Carbo furan
fact sheet —9—
Environmental Fate: In addition to regular environmental
chemistry requirements, monitoring studies are needed to find
the extent and level of groundwater contamination and the
conditions under which groundwater contamination occurs.
All data must be submitted no later than June 1987. Interim
reports on groundwater and avian monitoring must be submitted
at the end of each season.
6. Contact person at EPA
Jay Ellenberger
Product Manager (12)
Insecticide—Rodenticide Branch
Registration Division (Ts—767)
Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC 20460
Telephone No.: (703) 557—3286
DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this Chemical
Information Fact Sheet is for informational purposes only and
may not be used to fulfill data requirements for pesticide
registration and reregistration.
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