Carbofuran, most commonly known as Furadan, is a pesticide licensed for use on commercial crops including rice, cotton, corn, soybean and sugar cane crops, particularly in China, but according to the EPA is not widely used in the US. Banned by the EPA in its granular form since 1991, the EPA has now moved to revoke the regulations that allow carbofuran residues in food because of its adverse effects. In other words, the residue limit on foods will be reduced to zero.
Carbofuran is a systemic pesticide that is sprayed directly into the soil. Short-term exposure, while reversible causes headache, sweating, nausea, diarrhea, chest pains, blurred vision, anxiety and general muscular weakness according to the EPA. Long-term effects may cause damage to the nervous and reproductive systems.
FMC Corporation, the manufacturer of carbofuran, said in a statement Friday that it "believes strongly that carbofuran residue on food does not pose a threat to human health" and the USDA is also against the EPA’s decision stating that carbofuran "is the only feasible post-emergent rescue treatment" for corn rootworm if other options fail, including varieties bio-engineered for insect resistance such as Bt corn. Without a rescue treatment, the USDA asserts that grower losses could be as high as $1,000 per acre. I say, "Too bad. My health is more important."
Carbofuran also goes by the trade names Niagara 10242, Furadan 4F or 3G, Brifur, Crisfuran, Chinufur, Curaterr, Yaltox, Pillarfuran, and Kenofuran. EPA is accepting public comments on the proposed tolerance revocation for 60 days. Learn more about the EPA carbofuran cancellation process here.
Article source: EPA Bans Residues of Pesticide Carbofuran on Food.
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