Why am I being warned about potential exposure to carbaryl?
- Carbaryl is on the Proposition 65 list because it can cause cancer. Exposure to carbaryl may increase the risk of cancer.
- Carbaryl is also on the Proposition 65 list because it can cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. It may affect the development of the fetus, and may harm the male and female reproductive systems.
- Proposition 65 requires businesses to determine if they must provide a warning about significant exposures to listed chemicals.
What is carbaryl?
- Carbaryl is a chemical used to kill a variety of insects.
- Insecticides containing carbaryl are available over the counter for residential use, mainly in the form of liquids, sprays, and dusts. These are intended for yards and gardens, and are often used on fruit trees, vegetable gardens, and ornamental plants.
- Agricultural and commercial insecticides containing carbaryl are used on many plants and crops, including corn, soybeans, vegetables, and fruit and nut trees.
- Carbaryl is also used on golf courses, parks, and other landscaped areas, and for pest control around the perimeter of buildings.
How does exposure to carbaryl occur?
- You can be exposed to carbaryl by handling or applying carbaryl-based products, or coming into contact with their residues.
Main ways you can be exposed to carbaryl:
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- During pregnancy, carbaryl can pass from mother to baby.
How can I reduce my exposure to carbaryl?
- When using products with carbaryl, follow the manufacturer’s safety precautions and instructions on the pesticide label, including information about how long to wait before safely harvesting and eating produce from treated plants.
- Keep people and pets out of any treated outdoor areas during and immediately after application.
- Minimize your exposure to carbaryl:
- Avoid breathing in carbaryl, or getting it on your skin.
- When applying, handling, or mixing carbaryl, wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, closed-toe shoes and socks, eye protection, a washable hat, and chemical-resistant gloves.
- Wash clothes and gear that have carbaryl on them separately from other items, and do not wear them indoors.
- When you finish handling carbaryl, wash your hands, especially before preparing food or eating.
- Wash any produce you may have treated with carbaryl before eating it.
- Consider hiring a professional if you need to spray carbaryl overhead, up into the higher reaches of plants or trees.
- Keep carbaryl and all insecticides out of the reach of children and pets.
- Consider using alternative products for pest control in your yard and garden, especially if you or someone in your household is pregnant.
For more information:
General Fact Sheets and Resources
- National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC), Oregon State University and US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA)
Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA)- Health Questions and Answers for Sevin®SL Insecticidal Products
(Also available in Spanish and Vietnamese)
- Health Questions and Answers for Sevin®SL Insecticidal Products
- US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Scientific Information on Carbaryl
- California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA)
California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR)
Proposition 65
- California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA)
Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA)- Proposition 65: Background
- Proposition 65: The Chemical List
