Carbofuran (Ref: OMS 864)

Carbofuran (Ref: OMS 864)	Last updated: 13/11/2024
(Also known as: ENT 27164; FMC 10242; BAY 70143; D 1221)

SUMMARY

Carbofuran is an insecticide and nematicide. It is moderately soluble in water, is relatively volatile and, based on its chemical properties, has a high potential for leaching to groundwater. It is not persistent in soil but may persist in water under some conditions. Carbofuran has a high mammalian toxicity and a low potential for bioaccumulation. It is an endocrine disruptor and a probable reproduction/development intoxicant. It is highly toxic to birds and honeybees whilst having a moderate to high toxicity to most aquatic organisms. It is moderately toxic 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: GUS: Transition state; Drainflow: Moderately mobile	Ecotoxicity High alert: Birds acute ecotoxicity: High; Fish chronic ecotoxicity: High; Daphnia acute ecotoxicity: High; Daphnia chronic ecotoxicity: High; Bees acute contact ecotoxicity: High; Bees acute oral ecotoxicity: High	Human health High alert: Mammals acute toxicity: High; Endocrine disrupter; Reproduction/development effects

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A insecticide and nematicide for soil treatment to control soil and foliar pests. Also a pesticide transformation product

Example pests controlled

Spidermites; Nematodes; Aphids; Corn rootworms; Weevils; European corn borer; Beetles

Example applications

Potatoes; Corn; Rice; Soybean; Fruit including citrus, grapes; Vegetables; Cotton; Alfalfa

Efficacy & activity

Availability status

Banned in many countries

Introduction & key dates

circa 1965, introduced

GB regulatory status

GB COPR regulatory status

Not approved

Date COPR inclusion expires

Expired

GB LERAP status

No UK approval for use as a pesticide

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)

Not applicable

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

Australia, USA

Chemical structure

Isomerism

None

Chemical formula

C₁₂H₁₅NO₃

Canonical SMILES

CC1(CC2=C(O1)C(=CC=C2)OC(=O)NC)C

Isomeric SMILES

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

DUEPRVBVGDRKAG-UHFFFAOYSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C12H15NO3/c1-12(2)7-8-5-4-6-9(10(8)16-12)15-11(14)13-3/h4-6H,7H2,1-3H3,(H,13,14)

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams

Common Name	Relationship	Link
carbofuran	-

General status

Pesticide type

Insecticide, Nematicide, Acaricide, Metabolite

Metabolite Type

Soil, Groundwater, Surface water, Sediment

Substance groups

Carbamate insecticide; Carbamate acaricide

Minimum active substance purity

960-980 g kg⁻¹

Known relevant impurities

EU dossier - None declared

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

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

CAS RN

1563-66-2

EC number

216-353-0

CIPAC number

276

US EPA chemical code

090601

PubChem CID

2566

CLP index number

006-026-00-9

Molecular mass

221.26

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

2,2-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-7-yl methylcarbamate

IUPAC name

2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethylbenzofuran-7-yl methylcarbamate

CAS name

2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranyl methylcarbamate

Other status information

Chemical subject to PIC regulations; Potential marine pollutant; PAN Bad Actor Chemical; Subject to the provisions of the UK Poisons Act 1972

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

Aphis gossypii, Myzus persicae, Plutella xylostella, Delia antiqua, plus others

Physical state

White crystalline powder

Can be a metabolite of:

Parent

Formation medium

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

1107/2009 relevancy

furathiocarb

Soil

0.800

Major fraction

benfuracarb

Groundwater

Relevant

benfuracarb

Soil

0.846

Major fraction

carbosulfan

Soil

0.880

Major fraction

Formulations

Property

Value

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

FMC Chemicals
Arysta LifeScience EAME
Nihon Nohyaku
Pillar International

Example products using this active

Furadan
Diafuran
Curaterr
Yaltox
Pillarfuran

Formulation and application details

Usually formulated as granules or microgranules for direct incorporation into the soil at drilling

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

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

322

Moderate

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

110

n-Heptane

71700

Methanol

61500

Ethyl acetate

105200

Acetone

Melting point (°C)

153.1

Boiling point (°C)

254

Degradation point (°C)

276

Flashpoint (°C)

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

6.31 X 10⁰¹

Calculated

Log P

1.8

Low

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Insoluble

Data type

Regulatory data

Density (g ml⁻¹)

1.26

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Not applicable

No dissociation

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

0.08

Low volatility

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

5.0 X 10^-05

Non-volatile

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

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

Neutral solution: 276nm = 2800, 290nm = 251
Acidic & basic solution: No significant differences in spectrum

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

54.7

at 20°C

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

General biodegradability

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

Non-persistent

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

12.8

Non-persistent

DT₅₀ (field)

Non-persistent

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

DT₅₀ modelling endpoint

Note

EU dossier Lab studies DT₅₀ range 5.7-22.7 days, field studies DT₅₀ range 1.3-27 days; Other sources DT₅₀ 30-60 days (L3)

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on plant matrix

Value

4.9

Note

Published literature RL₅₀ range 1.9-11.5 days, 6 field crops, various matrices, n=7

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on and in plant matrix

Value

6.8

Note

Published literature RL₅₀ range 2.3-12.5 days, 6 field crops, various matrices, n=7

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Stable

Note

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

Value

Moderately persistent

Note

pH sensitive: stable at pH 4, DT₅₀ 28-46 days at pH 7, 0.1 day at pH 9

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

9.7

Fast

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

6.1

Moderately fast

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

[Cabbage: 19 days @ 4 DegC; Field study]

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

1.14

Moderately mobile

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

86.5

¹/_n

0.89

Notes and range

EU dossier kf range 0.096-4.77 mL g⁻¹, K_foc range 9.7-433 mL g⁻¹, ¹/_n range 0.725-1.01, Soils=14

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

2.36

Calculated

Transition state

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

Value

7.87 X 10^-02

Calculated

Note

Potential for particle bound transport index

Low

Calculated

Potential for loss via drain flow

Moderately mobile

Calculated

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

4.45

Calculated using the Atkinson method.

Below the level of concern for long-range air transport

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

Whole fish

Low potential

CT₅₀ (days)

0.5

Known soil metabolites

Metabolite

Major/Minor fraction

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

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

Notes

3-hydroxycarbofuran

Minor fraction

0.013

3-ketocarbofuran

Major fraction

0.124

2,3.-dihydro-2,2-diemethyl-7-benzofuranol (Ref: NIA 10272 )

Minor fraction

0.090

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)

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

Relevancy unknown

3-hydroxycarbofuran

Relevancy unknown

Other known metabolites

Metabolite name and reference

Aliases

Formation medium / Rate

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

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

cabofuran-phenol

Rat

2,2-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-7-yl (hydroxymethyl)carbamate

N-OH methylcarbofuran

Rat (Urine)

3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-7-yl (hydroxymethyl)carbamate

3-OH-N-OH methylcarbofuran

Rat (Urine)

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Rat

High

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

0.1

Rat 2 yr

High

(ppm diet)

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

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

0.71

Anas platyrhynchos

High

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

1.6 mg kg bw⁻¹ day⁻¹

Anas platyrhynchos

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

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

224

Eisenia foetida

Moderate

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

> 0.84

Eisenia foetida

Moderate

Soil micro-organisms

Nitrogen mineralisation: -20% effect
Carbon mineralisation: No significant adverse effect

Dose: 16 mg Diafuran SG product/kg soil 42 Day

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

0.21

Folsomia candida

Non-target plants

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

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

0.036

Apis mellifera

High

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

0.038

Apis mellifera

High

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

Chronic

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)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

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

2.68

Aphidius rhopalosiphi Adult

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

3.65

Typhlodromus pyri Protonymph

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles) as % Mortality at dose 600 g ha⁻¹

Poecilus cupreus corr

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

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

0.18

Lepomis macrochirus

Moderate

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

0.0022

Oncorhynchus mykiss 28 day Growth

High

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

1.34

Danio rerio Embryo

Moderate

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

0.0094

Daphnia magna

High

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

0.008

Daphnia magna

High

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

> 0.002

Ceriodaphnia dubia

High

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

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

0.016

Chironomus riparius 1 day

High

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

0.004

Chironomus riparius

High

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

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

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

6.5

Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata

Moderate

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

3.2

Unknown species

Low

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)

Rat

High

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

1000

Rat

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

0.05

Rat

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

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

0.00015

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

0.00015

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

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

0.0003

Dermal penetration studies (%)

3.0-10

concentration dependent

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Bystander exposure risk is low due to formulation of products and soil incorporation

Occupational

Negligible risk to operators and other farm works due to dust-free formulation and application method

MRLs

European

EU MRL pesticide database

Great Britain

GB MRL Register

Notes

Drinking Water Standards

Non-statutory WHO drinking water guideline 0.007 mg l⁻¹

UK EA QS database 2018

Drinking Water MAC (μg l⁻¹)

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

It is metabolised in the liver and eventually excreted in the urine

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

May cause testicular degeneration
May be fatal if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through skin
Endocrine issues - Increase of progesterone, cortisol and estradiol levels

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Not oxidising
Corrosive
Containers may explode in heat of fire
IMDG Transport Hazard Class 6.1
Not expected to auto-ignite; Not highly flammable

CLP classification 2013

Health: H300, H330
Environment: H400, H410

WHO Classification

Ib (Highly hazardous)

UN Number

UN2757

Waste disposal & packaging

Packaging Group I (great danger)

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

carbofuran

French

carbofuran

German

Carbofuran

Danish

carbofuran

Italian

carbofuran

Spanish

carbofurano

Greek

carbofuran

Polish

karbofuran

Swedish

Hungarian

karbofuran

Dutch

carbofuraan

Norwegian

Record last updated:	13/11/2024
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