Benfuracarb

Benfuracarb	Last updated: 23/05/2025
(Also known as: OK 174; aminofuracarb)

SUMMARY

Benfuracarb is a broad spectrum carbamate insecticide and nematicide. It has a low aqueous solubility, is relatively volatile and is not expected to leach to groundwater. It is not persistent in soil or water systems. It has a moderate mammalian toxicity with a low bioaccumulation potential. It is highly toxic to most aquatic organisms, birds and honeybees but slightly less so to earthworms.

Data alerts

The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement.

Environmental fate	Ecotoxicity	Human health
Environmental fate Moderate alert: Potential for particle bound transport: Medium	Ecotoxicity High alert: Birds acute ecotoxicity: High; Fish acute ecotoxicity: High; Daphnia acute ecotoxicity: High; Bees acute contact ecotoxicity: High	Human health High alert: Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

An insecticide and nematicide used to control aphids, springtails and other pests usually on beet crops

Example pests controlled

Diamondback moth; Aphids; Cockroaches; Grain beetle; Springtails; Wireworms; Rootworms; Loopers; Borers

Example applications

Sugarbeet; Maize; Potatoes; Rice; Citrus; Ornamentals

Efficacy & activity

Availability status

Introduction & key dates

1984, registered UK, France and Spain

GB regulatory status

GB COPR regulatory status

Not approved

Date COPR inclusion expires

Expired

GB LERAP status

No UK approval for use as a plant protection agent

EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)

EC Regulation 1107/2009 status

Not approved

Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur

Belgium

Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires

Expired

EU Candidate for substitution (CfS)

Listed in EU database

Yes

Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 in the following EU Member States

ATAustria	BEBelgium	BGBulgaria	CYCyprus	CZCzech Republic	DEGermany	DKDenmark	EEEstonia	ELGreece

ESSpain	FIFinland	FRFrance	HRCroatia	HUHungary	IEIreland	ITItaly	LTLithuania	LULuxembourg

LVLatvia	MTMalta	NLNetherlands	PLPoland	PTPortugal	RORomania	SESweden	SISlovenia	SKSlovakia

Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 by Mutual Recognition of Authorisation and/or national regulations in the following EEA countries

ISIceland	NONorway

Additional information

Also used in

Chemical structure

Isomerism

None

Chemical formula

C₂₀H₃₀N₂O₅S

Canonical SMILES

CCOC(=O)CCN(C(C)C)SN(C)C(=O)OC1=CC=CC2=C1OC(C2)(C)C

Isomeric SMILES

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

FYZBOYWSHKHDMT-UHFFFAOYSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C20H30N2O5S/c1-7-25-17(23)11-12-22(14(2)3)28-21(6)19(24)26-16-10-8-9-15-13-20(4,5)27-18(15)16/h8-10,14H,7,11-13H2,1-6H3

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Pesticide type

Insecticide

Substance groups

Carbamate insecticide; Methylcarbamate insecticide

Minimum active substance purity

930 g kg⁻¹

Known relevant impurities

EU dossier - 1,2-dichloroethane (EDC) - < 4 g kg⁻¹

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

Systemic, stomach and contact action. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor.

CAS RN

82560-54-1

EC number

617-356-3

CIPAC number

501

US EPA chemical code

123201

PubChem CID

54886

CLP index number

006-088-00-7

Molecular mass

410.53

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

ethyl N-[2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethylbenzofuran-7-yloxycarbonyl(methyl)aminothio]-N-isopropyl-β-alaninate

IUPAC name

ethyl N-[2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethylbenzofuran-7-yloxycarbonyl(methyl)aminothio]-N-isopropyl-β-alaninate

CAS name

2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranyl 2-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-7-oxo-8-oxa-3-thia-2,4-diazadecanoate

Other status information

Chemical subject to PIC regulations; PAN Bad Actor Chemical

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Herbicide Resistance Class (HRAC MoA class)

Not applicable

Herbicide Resistance Class (WSSA MoA class)

Not applicable

Insecticide Resistance Class (IRAC MoA class)

Fungicide Resistance Class (FRAC MOA class)

Not applicable

Examples of recorded resistance

None identified

Physical state

Pale yellow viscous oily liquid

Formulations

Property

Value

Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically

Nufarm

Example products using this active

Oncol 10G
Alba
Furacon
Lonco
Stamex

Formulation and application details

Usually supplied as granules which are applied directly to soil surface at planting

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

8.4

Low

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

1000000

Acetone

1000000

Methanol

1000000

Hexane

1000000

Xylene

Melting point (°C)

Not applicable

Boiling point (°C)

Decomposes before boiling

Degradation point (°C)

200

Flashpoint (°C)

154.5

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

1.66 X 10⁰⁴

Calculated

Log P

4.22

High

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Soluble

Data type

Regulatory data

Density (g ml⁻¹)

1.15

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Not applicable

No dissociation

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

0.0042

Low volatility

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

2.10 X 10^-04

Non-volatile

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Maxima 277.5-281. nm = 3360, 290nm = 614, pH has little impact on spectra

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

52.4

at 20 °C

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

General biodegradability

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

0.5

Non-persistent

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

0.42

Non-persistent

DT₅₀ (field)

4.9

Non-persistent

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

5.23

Non-persistent

DT₉₀ (field)

47.8

DT₅₀ modelling endpoint

Note

EU dossier lab DT₅₀ range 0.23-1.17d, DT₉₀ range 0.85-20.0 days, field studies DT₅₀ range 3-5 days (Japan), DT₉₀ range 4.4-91 days

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on plant matrix

Value

Note

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on and in plant matrix

Value

4.3

Note

Eggplant fruit, n=1

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

1.3

Moderately fast

Note

DT₅₀: 15.6 days irradiated river water, 4.7 days dark river water, 15.3 hrs irradiated pure water and 30.4 hrs dark pure water

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

1.4

Non-persistent

Note

pH sensitive: DT₅₀ 0.5 hr at pH 4, 26.9 days at pH 9

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

0.4

Fast

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

Non-mobile

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

9100

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

0.03

Calculated

Low leachability

SCI-GROW groundwater index (μg l⁻¹) for a 1 kg ha⁻¹ or 1 l ha⁻¹ application rate

Value

3.14 X 10^-03

Calculated

Note

Potential for particle bound transport index

Medium

Calculated

Potential for loss via drain flow

Non-mobile

Calculated

Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀ (hrs) as indicator of long-range air transport risk

3.5

Calculated using the Atkinson method. Assumed 5.0E+05 OH/cm³

Below the level of concern for long-range air transport

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

Whole fish

Low potential

CT₅₀ (days)

0.44

Known soil metabolites

Metabolite

Major/Minor fraction

$Click here for further information on Major/Minor fraction$

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

Notes

3-ketocarbofuran

Minor fraction

0.08

3-hydroxycarbofuran

Minor fraction

0.10

carbofuran (Ref: OMS 864)

Major fraction

0.846

Known groundwater metabolites

Metabolite

EC SANCO/221/2000 relevancy

ADI (mg kg⁻¹ bodyweight day⁻¹)

WHO drinking water guidance value (μg L⁻¹ day⁻¹)

carbofuran (Ref: OMS 864)

Relevant

Other known metabolites

Metabolite name and reference

Aliases

Formation medium / Rate

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

3-ketocarbofuran

Animal; Plant

2,2-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-3,7-diol
Note: Rat LD50 oral = 1654 mg/kg

3-hydroxy-carbofuran phenol

Animal; Plant

7-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-1-benzofuran-3(2H)-one
Note: Rat LD50 oral > 800 mg/kg

3-keto-carbofuran phenol

Sediment

2,2-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-7-ol

carbofuran-phenol

Sediment

3-hydroxycarbofuran

Plant; Rat

carbofuran (Ref: OMS 864)

Surface water; Sediment

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

205

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

Rat

High

(ppm diet)

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

19.8

Anas platyrhynchos

High

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

195 mg kg feed⁻¹

Anas platyrhynchos

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Eisenia foetida corr

Moderate

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

0.19

Apis mellifera

High

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

2.1

Apis mellifera

Moderate

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Notes

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

100% Mortality at dose 216 g ha⁻¹

Coccinella septempunctata Larvae corr

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

100% Mortality at dose 216 g ha⁻¹

Chrysoperla carnea Larvae

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps) as Mortality LD₅₀ g ha⁻¹

9.3

Aphidius rhopalosiphi Adult

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites) as Mortality LD₅₀ g ha⁻¹

9.2

Typhlodromus pyri Protonymph

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

0% Mortality at dose 1 kg ha⁻¹

Poecilus cupreus Adult

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

0.038

Oncorhynchus mykiss

High

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

0.01

Daphnia magna

High

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

0.0041

Chironomus riparius EC₅₀

High

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

0.001

Chironomus riparius

High

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic plants (free-floating, growth) - Acute 7 day EC₅₀, biomass (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth) - Acute 14 day EC₅₀, biomass (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute 72 hour EC₅₀, growth (mg l⁻¹)

2.2

Raphidocelis subcapitata

Moderate

Algae - Chronic 96 hour NOEC, growth (mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

High (class III)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

205

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

2000

Rat

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

0.344

Rat 4 hr (nose only)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

0.01

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

0.02

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

0.01

Dermal penetration studies (%)

100

default

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

No unacceptable risks to bystanders identified for expected pattern of use

Occupational

MRLs

European

EU MRL pesticide database

Great Britain

GB MRL Register

Notes

Drinking Water Standards

Drinking Water MAC (μg l⁻¹)

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

Mitotic inhibitor

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Not explosive or oxidising
IMDG Transport Hazard Class 6.1

CLP classification 2013

Health: H302, H331, H3361f
Environment: H400, H410

WHO Classification

II (Moderately hazardous)

UN Number

UN2992

Waste disposal & packaging

Packaging Group II (moderate danger)

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

benfuracarb

French

benfuracarbe

German

Benfuracarb

Danish

benfuracarb

Italian

benfuracarb

Spanish

benfuracarb

Greek

benfuracarb

Polish

benfurakarb

Swedish

Hungarian

benfurakarb

Dutch

benfuracarb

Norwegian

Record last updated:	23/05/2025
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242