EPA says pesticide carbofuran poses health risk to children, bans it for use on food crops

Pesticide carbofuran banned for food crops

WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a final rule banning the use of the pesticide carbofuran on food.

The insecticide is used to control pests on fruits, vegetables and other food crops, including corn and potatoes. The EPA said Monday carbofuran poses unacceptable risks, especially to children, at any residue level and violates food safety standards.

Carbofuran has been under EPA review for years. Its granular form was banned in the mid-1990s because it was blamed for killing millions of migratory birds. The agency began its effort to remove the pesticide completely from the market in 2006.

The EPA said it soon will issue rules banning other uses of carbofuran because of risks to farm workers and the environment.