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Pesticide News Story: EPA Releases Revised Risk Assessments on Carbofuran, Seeks Further Comments on Benefits and Reducing Risks
For Release: March 24, 2006
The Environmental Protection Agency is evaluating the potential risks associated with all currently registered uses of the pesticide carbofuran and has determined that there are some risks of concern in both dietary (food and drinking water) and non-dietary (occupational and ecological) areas. The Agency is seeking public comment during the next 60 days on its revised risk assessments for carbofuran, possible risk mitigation measures, and the benefits of currently registered carbofuran uses. EPA’s current analysis shows that by eliminating certain uses of carbofuran that result in very high exposure – such as those with high application rates – dietary risks can be effectively reduced. Regarding potential ecological and occupational risks, EPA must consider benefits from the use of carbofuran in addition to any risk it may pose. Because few viable options are available to effectively mitigate potential occupational and ecological risks, the Agency is soliciting and will consider further input from stakeholders and the public, including comments on the preliminary alternatives analysis.
By way of background, EPA is conducting assessments of older pesticides like carbofuran to ensure that all registered pesticides continue to meet current health and safety standards. EPA released preliminary ecological and human health risk assessments for carbofuran last fall and received many comments, addressed in the Agency’s Response to Comments memorandum that is available in the docket. The revised risk assessments and related documents, including a Note to Readers summarizing carbofuran’s risks and input needed by the Agency, are available in docket number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0162 at http://www.regulations.gov.
Carbofuran is a broad spectrum pesticide of the carbamate class that is sprayed directly onto soil and plants just after emergence to control insects, mites, and nematodes. It is registered for use on a variety of fruit, vegetable, and field crops. The major uses are alfalfa, corn, cotton, potatoes, and rice. Carbofuran is available in the U.S. in liquid and granular formulations, but i n 1994, granular uses were reduced based on risks to birds.