Baby Safety / Compounds / Carbofuran

Is Carbofuran safe for babies and kids?

Context-dependent for kids

(Babies-specific data is limited; this page draws from human pregnant context.) Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Carbofuran, potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.

What is carbofuran?

The IUPAC name is 2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranyl N-methylcarbamate.

Also known as: 2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranyl N-methylcarbamate, Furadan, Curaterr, Yaltox.

IUPAC name
2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranyl N-methylcarbamate
CAS number
1563-66-2
Molecular formula
C12H15NO3
Molecular weight
221.26 g/mol
SMILES
CC1(CC2=C(O1)C(=CC=C2)OC(=O)NC)C
PubChem CID
2566

Risk for babies

Context-dependent

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Carbofuran, potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.

No specific reproductive toxicity data identified, but pregnancy-specific safety data is limited for most chemicals. Precautionary minimization of exposure is recommended.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Context-dependent

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Carbofuran, potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.

No specific reproductive toxicity data identified, but pregnancy-specific safety data is limited for most chemicals. Precautionary minimization of exposure is recommended.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Regulatory consensus

2 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Carbofuran. The classifications differ — that's the data.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
EPA——
IARC——

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where kids encounter carbofuran

  • legacy agricultural residues
  • banned in most countries
  • restricted use in limited areas

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Carbofuran:

  • Imidacloprid (neonicotinoid)
    Trade-offs: Systemic — pollinators exposed via nectar/pollen. Aquatic toxicity. Neonicotinoid restrictions in EU.
    Relative cost: Similar
  • Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) seed treatment
    Trade-offs: Target-specific (lepidoptera or coleoptera). Resistance development in western corn rootworm.
    Relative cost: Higher (as trait); lower (as spray)

Frequently asked questions

What products contain carbofuran?

Carbofuran appears in: legacy agricultural residues; banned in most countries; restricted use in limited areas.

See Carbofuran in the baby app

Look up products containing carbofuran, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

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Sources (1)
  1. ATSDR Toxicological Profile — CAS 1563-66-2 — reference

Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →