© 2026 Nanjing Finechem Holdings Co., Ltd,
All Right Reserved
Substance Name: Carbofuran Chemical Formula: C12H15NO3 Chemical Class: Carbamate pesticide Common Uses: Control of a wide range of pests in agriculture, especially in cornfields and rice paddies Physical Appearance: White crystalline solid, sometimes powdery Odor: Faint chemical scent, not especially noticeable to many people Solubility: Slightly soluble in water, more so in organic solvents CAS Number: 1563-66-2 Common Trade Names: Furadan, Curaterr
Main Risks: Highly toxic to humans and animals, acute poisoning possible by inhalation, ingestion, or absorption through skin Signal Word: Danger Symptoms of Exposure: Nausea, dizziness, sweating, muscle weakness, shortness of breath, convulsions in severe cases Environmental Danger: Deadly to birds, fish, bees, and other non-target organisms — water bodies can be devastated by accidental releases Chronic Exposure: Repeated, low-dose contact linked with neurological and reproductive harm in some studies Sensitive Groups: Children, pregnant women, workers in agricultural settings at highest risk
Active Ingredient: Pure carbofuran, often at levels exceeding 95 percent Inert Ingredients: Sometimes blended with stabilizers, dispersing agents, or carriers, depending on formulation Toxic Impurities: Technical grades could carry minor manufacturing impurities — not always well-documented in public materials
Inhalation: Get out of the contaminated area and into fresh air, loosen tight clothing, seek medical attention fast Skin Contact: Remove any affected clothing, rinse skin with generous amounts of water, use soap to break down oily residue, see a doctor if symptoms start Eye Contact: Rinse carefuly with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if easy, don’t rub eyes — get help fast Ingestion: Never induce vomiting unless told by a medical professional, rinse mouth, try to keep the person calm and awake, get medical help right away Medical Note: Atropine and pralidoxime are used by professionals as antidotes for carbamate poisoning, supportive measures often needed
Suitable Extinguishers: Use foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide — water spray can spread surface contamination Hazardous Gases: Burning carbofuran emits toxic fumes including nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and potentially isocyanates Protective Gear: Firefighters need full gear with breathing apparatus, as smoke is hazardous even at low concentrations Special Notes: Keep runoff from firefighting efforts out of sewers and waterways to avoid downstream environmental disaster
Personal Protection: Wear gloves, goggles, chemical-resistant boots and aprons or suits Ventilation: Work outside or use local exhaust fans, as fine dust can build up and be inhaled Containment: Stop leaks, build small barriers or use absorbent materials to ring in the spill Clean-up: Shovel up material into sealed, labeled containers for safe disposal, avoid dry sweeping to keep from raising dust Environmental Protection: Prevent entry into water, soil, storm drains — even small quantities can kill aquatic life
Safe Storage: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated places away from heat, sparks, and food Incompatible Materials: Keep clear of acids, strong bases, oxidizers — reactions can get serious Handling Tips: Use outdoors or under a working fume hood, never eat, drink or smoke while using Labeling: Containers must be clearly marked, access should be restricted to trained personnel
Workplace Controls: Install local exhaust systems, monitor air quality regularly, especially during mixing and loading Respiratory Protection: Use NIOSH-approved respirators for dust or vapor as needed Hand and Eye Protection: Chemical-resistant gloves, face shields, and goggles are a must for even brief exposure Personal Hygiene: Wash up thoroughly after handling, don’t wear contaminated clothing into break areas or home Permissible Exposure Limits: OSHA and similar agencies set strict limits — chronic exposure at even low doses should be avoided
Appearance: White to off-white crystalline powder Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling Melting Point: Around 150 degrees Celsius Vapor Pressure: Low at room temperature Density: Between 1.18 and 1.32 g/cm³ Solubility: Slightly soluble (at most a few hundred ppm) in water Stability in Light: Breaks down in sunlight, faster in basic or acidic conditions Odor Threshold: No strong smell — easy to miss by nose, even at risky levels
Chemical Stability: Breaks down in strong sunlight, can degrade in acidic or alkaline conditions Thermal Decomposition: Generates toxic gases on burning or strong heating Material Incompatibility: Avoid mixing with strong bases, acids, and oxidizers to prevent violent reactions Polymerization: Not known to polymerize dangerously, but not worth gambling with unknown bulk impurities
Acute Effects: Rapid onset of symptoms, especially muscle twitching, cramps, sweating, headache, vomiting Routes of Exposure: Ingestion is most dangerous, but skin absorption and inhalation can also cause poisoning LD50 (oral, rat): About 8-14 mg/kg — one of the most toxic pesticides used Chronic Health Concerns: Evidence from animal studies points to lasting nerve and reproductive damage from long-term, low-dose exposure Cancer Risk: Not classed as a known human carcinogen, but research on chronic low-level effects is sparse Other Concerns: Dizziness, confusion, and in severe cases, seizures and respiration failure
Aquatic Toxicity: Deadly to fish, can wipe out aquatic insects and invertebrates in tiny amounts Avian Toxicity: Birds — especially songbirds and waterfowl — drop dead from field-level exposure Persistence: Doesn’t last long in sunlight or alkaline soils, but can contaminate water long enough to impact wildlife Bioaccumulation: Not known for long-term buildup, but repeated local application boosts environmental risk Bee Kill: Strong hazard for bees; has been a major factor in colony failures in affected regions
Safe Disposal: Never dump to drains, soil, or regular trash; use certified hazardous waste collectors Container Disposal: Rinse and crush containers, then treat as hazardous waste Incineration: Specialized high-temperature incinerators — backyard burning is not an option Regulatory Mandates: Local rules govern disposal — in many countries, carbofuran is banned or tightly restricted
UN Number: Regulated as a toxic substance in most international shipping guides Transport Hazard: Marked as Class 6.1 (toxic substances) under many shipping codes Packaging: Leakproof, sealed, properly labeled drums or bags, carried by trained handlers only Spill Protocol: In transit, any spill triggers immediate hazardous material response Special Precautions: Avoid shipping with food, feed, or household goods
Global Status: Carbofuran use limited or banned in over sixty countries — US, Canada, European Union and much of Asia have cut legal uses Occupational Standards: Strict workplace exposure limits set by government agencies, often below 0.1 mg/m³ Product Registration: Many pesticide authorities have fully deregistered carbofuran for all food uses Labeling Laws: Strong legal warnings required on remaining stocks — unauthorized use carries serious penalties
