&EPA
HEALTH ADVISORY SUMMARY
Acifluorfen
What is a Health Advisory?
Health Advisories are guidance documents issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency to assist federal, state, and local officials in responding to drinking water
contamination. The Health Advisories contain information on health risks and treatment
technologies, and specify levels of chemical concentrations in water that are acceptable for
drinking In preparing Health Advisories, EPA reviews available human data and
experimental animal studies in evaluating potential human health effects. The Health
Advisones are updated as new information becomes available. This summary presents key
highlights from the Health Advisory for Acifluorfen.
What is Acifluorfen?
Acifluorfen, also known as Blazer®, Carbofluorfen, Tackle*, and RH-6201, is a herbicide
used to control weeds and grasses in soybeans and peanuts.
What Health Effects Might Be Caused by Acifluorfen in My Water?
Non-Cancer Effects. Consuming Acifluorfen at high levels over a long period of time has
been shown to result in adverse health effects in animal studies, including damage to the
heart, liver, and kidneys, changes in the blood, and delayed fetal development
Cancer Risk. Aciflourfen also causes cancer in laboratory animals that are given high
doses of the pesticide over the course of their lifetimes. Therefore, EPA considers
Acifluorfen to be a probable human carcinogen (cancer causing agent). EPA estimates that
if an individual consumes water containing Acifluorfen at 1 microgram per titer * over
his or her entire lifetime, that person would have no more than a one-in-a-million chance
of developing cancer as a direct result of drinking water containing {his pesticide.
What Actions Should I Take?
Your first step should be to get the adv ice of your state or county health officials. Other
experts in your state environmental	or agriculture department may also be helpful
to you
* Micrograms per liter are the units of measurement Tor contaminants in water equivalent to parts
per billion
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These people can assist you in interpreting your sampling results They may recommend
that you retest your well to get an accurate overall picture of the water quality Seasonal
precipitation changes and changes in pesticide use can cause wide variations in the
amount of pesticides found in your well.
Your state or county health officials can refer you to approved testing services, advise you
on the cost of testing, and recommend how often retesting should be done
Depending on the results of testing, your state or county health officials may advise you to
continue periodic retesting, or in some cases, to use an alternative drinking water supply
(such as bottled water) or treat the water or dig a new or deeper well.
At present, activated carbon adsorption and reverse osmosis appear to be possible
methods for removing Acifluorfen from water However, these techniques may not be
appropriate or available in every situation. Your state or county health officials should be
able to advise you on the best approach to follow.
Where Can I Get More Information?
In addition to your state and county experts, EPA has two toll-free lines you can call For
further information on drinking water quality, treatment technologies, and EPA's Health
Advisories, please contact EPA's toll-free Safe Dnnking Water Hotline, Monday thru Friday,
8:30 AM. to 4:30 P.M. E.S.T at 1-800-426-4791.
Additional information on the health effects of pesticides is available from the National
Pesticide Telecommunications Network, toll-free, 24 hours a day, 1-800-858-7378.
January 1989

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