EPA bans carbofuran residues

WASHINGTON, July 26 (UPI) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has revoked regulations allowing residues of the pesticide carbofuran in food and drinking water.

The agency said it is concerned about possible safety risks to young children.

Carbofuran is a broad spectrum insecticide sprayed directly onto soil and plants to control beetles, nematodes and rootworm. The EPA said the greatest use of carbofuran is on alfalfa and rice, although it is also used on turf and grapes.

"Even though carbofuran is used on a small percentage of the U.S. food supply and therefore the likelihood of exposure through food is low, EPA has identified risks that that do not meet our rigorous food safety standards," the agency said in a statement.

The ban on residues also will apply to imported products, the Washington Post reported. While the pesticide is used on only 1 percent of U.S. crops, developing countries use it on crops such as rice, bananas, coffee and sugar cane, the newspaper said.

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