Carbofuran

Sold under the trade names Furadan and Curaterr 10 GR, carbofuran is an odorless, white crystalline solid substance that is considered one of the most toxic carbamate pesticides. The chemical name for the poisonous substance is 2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranyl methylcarbamate with CAS number 1563-66-2. Exposure to heat or flame may cause the material to emit toxic oxides of nitrogen.

The primary use of the chemical substance is to control pests in a wide variety of field crops, including soybeans, potatoes, and corn. Carbofuran is a chemical manufactured as a systematic pesticide that also has contact activity with pests.

The consumption of carbofuran in drinking water may cause vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, hypertension, hypersalivation, sweating, lassitude, blurred vision, weakness, and other symptoms. The consumption of high amounts of carbofuran in drinking water may lead to respiratory problems and even death.

The regulated standard for carbofuran in drinking water set by the EPA is an MCL of 0.04 mg/L or 40 ppb. Since carbofuran is highly toxic, levels above the MCL may cause various health issues.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the recommended media to remove carbofuran from drinking water is granular activated carbon. GAC is the best filtration media to remove the chemical substance to below the regulated standard by the EPA. Most modern water filter systems use granular activated carbon in their filter chambers for effective filtration of contaminants in tap water.