EPA Bans Pesticide Carbofuran From Food Crops

Yesterday, the EPA issued a ban on carbofuran, a pesticide commonly marketed under the name "Furadan" that's used on a variety of grains, fruits and vegetables. According to the press release, the EPA will ban "carbofuran in food, including all imports, in a move to protect people, especially children, from dietary risk."

"Ultimately, EPA will remove this pesticide from the market," the release said.

Carbofuran is applied to the soil, and it is then absorbed by the plant, thus poisoning insects that come into contact with the plant. Farmers find it useful because it's one of the few pesticides that effectively kills aphids on soy crops.

Unfortunately, it can also be deadly to birds and any other animals that come into contact with carbofuran, and a quarter teaspoon of the stuff is said to be enough to kill a human. According to the EPA, the chemical "can overstimulate the nervous system, causing nausea, dizziness, confusion and, at very high exposures, respiratory paralysis and death."

Later this week, we hope to learn more about carbofuran and other pesticides when we travel to Purdue University to meet with Prof. Fred Whitford from the Botany and Plant Pathology Department. 

-Mark