Source: EPA
Photo Source: Unsplash, Dan M. Carbaryl Hazard Summary 63-25-2 Carbaryl is an insecticide used on a variety of crops. Acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) occupational exposure of humans to carbaryl has been observed to cause cholinesterase inhibition, and reduced levels of this enzyme in the blood cause neurological effects. These effects appear to be reversible upon discontinuation of exposure. Headaches, memory loss, muscle weakness and cramps, and anorexia are caused by prolonged low-level exposure to carbaryl resulting from cholinesterase inhibition. EPA has classified carbaryl as a Group D, not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity.
Please Note: The main sources of information for this fact sheet are EPA's Health and Environmental Effects Profile for Carbaryl (2) and Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) (6), which contains information on oral chronic toxicity and the RfD.
Uses Carbaryl is used as an insecticide on corn, soybean, cotton, fruit, nut, and vegetable crops, as well as in home yards and gardens. Carbaryl is sold under the trade name Sevin. (1,2) Sources and Potential Exposure.
Individuals are most likely to be exposed to carbaryl dermally or by inhalation during the manufacture, formulation, and application of this pesticide. (1)
The general public may be exposed to carbaryl from spray drift in regions surrounding agricultural areas. (1)
Carbaryl has been detected at low levels in surface water and in food. (2) Assessing Personal Exposure.
No information was located concerning the measurement of personal exposure to carbaryl.
Health Hazard Information Acute Effects: Acute occupational exposure of humans to carbaryl has been observed to cause cholinesterase inhibition (which impairs central nervous system (CNS) function), resulting in nausea, vomiting, bronchoconstriction, blurred vision, convulsions, coma, and respiratory failure. (1,3,4)
Acute carbaryl exposure in humans may also cause eye and skin irritation. (1) Tests involving acute exposure of rats, mice, rabbits, and guinea pigs have demonstrated carbaryl to
have moderate to high acute toxicity from ingestion and moderate acute toxicity from dermal exposure. (5)
Chronic Effects (Noncancer): Chronic exposure to carbaryl results in cholinesterase inhibition, which is reversible upon discontinuation of exposure. Headaches, memory loss, muscle weakness and cramps, and anorexia are caused by prolonged low-level exposure of humans to carbaryl resulting from cholinesterase inhibition. (4) Kidney and liver effects have been observed in rats chronically exposed to carbaryl by ingestion. (2,6)
Kidney and liver effects have been observed in rats chronically exposed to carbaryl by ingestion. (2,6)
EPA has not established a Reference Concentration (RfC) for carbaryl. (6) The Reference Dose (RfD) for carbaryl is 0.1 milligrams per kilogram body weight per day (mg/kg/d) based on kidney and liver toxicity in rats. The RfD is an estimate (with uncertainty spanning perhaps an order of magnitude) of a daily oral exposure to the human population (including sensitive subgroups) that is likely to be without appreciable risk of deleterious noncancer effects during a lifetime. It is not a direct estimator of risk but rather a reference point to gauge the potential effects. At exposures increasingly greater than the RfD, the potential for adverse health effects increases. Lifetime exposure above the RfD does not imply that an adverse health effect would necessarily occur. (6)
EPA has medium confidence in the RfD based on: high confidence in the critical study because it was well designed and clearly reported with unequivocal effects levels established; and medium confidence in the database because it is moderately supportive of the nature of the critical effect. (6)
Reproductive/Developmental Effects: No information is available on the reproductive or developmental effects of carbaryl in humans.
Two studies produced teratogenic effects in dogs fed carbaryl, but dogs were judged inappropriate for human health risk assessment because of differences in metabolism. Other studies demonstrating teratogenic effects also caused maternal toxicity. (2,6) Reduced fertility and litter size and increased mortality in offspring have been observed in rats exposed to carbaryl in their diet over three generations. (2)
Cancer Risk: No information is available on the carcinogenic effects of carbaryl in humans. No significant increase in tumor incidence was found among exposed animals in several studies. (4) EPA has not classified carbaryl for carcinogenicity. (6)
How can the use of such pesticides (in disease prevention in plum tress and other plans) impact your health? How can it impact your food supply? How can it impact your water supply?
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