Carbendazim — toxicity, side effects, diseases and environmental impacts

List of known side effects

According to the open chemistry database PubChem, carbendazim may cause genetic defect and damage fertility or the unborn child. In addition, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified carbendazim as Group C: “Possible Human Carcinogen.”

Body systems affected by carbendazim

Carbendazim poisoning may adversely affect the liver, kidneys, and spleen.

Items that can contain carbendazim

Carbendazim is applied to beans, Macadamia nuts, lentils, chickpeas, strawberries, sugarcane and cereal grains. It is effective against husk spot, chocolate spot, gray mold, green mold and crown rot.

Some related substances to carbendazim include epoxiconazole and flusilazole. It also goes by other trade names and synonyms, such as Bavistin, BCM, Benomyl, Carbamic acid, Carbendazime, Delsene, Derosal, E-965, Equitdazin, Karbendazim, Kemdazin and Pillarstin, among others.

The Pesticide Properties DataBase lists down some of the products that contain carbendazim as an active ingredient, such as:

• Delsene 50 Flo
• Harvesan
• Mascot
• Occidor
• Ringer
• Punch SE

Meanwhile, some examples of manufacturers that supply such products include:

• AgriGuard
• DuPont
• Nufarm
• Barclay

How to avoid carbendazim

Avoid products that use carbendazim as an active ingredient. Handlers, mixers and applicators of carbendazim may be exposed to its fumes in the workplace. The following are some protective measures to avoid any contact with carbendazim:

• Use this material only in well ventilated areas. In case of accidental aspiration, leave the area of contamination and go to an open area with fresh air. Seek medical attention immediately.
• Avoid contact with skin or clothing. Wear a protective suit, chemical-resistant gloves and safety footwear or safety gumboots. Remove any contaminated clothing item carefully. Rinse the contaminated part of the skin with soap and water.
• Do not get this material in your eyes. Wear goggles or a face shield. In case of contact, remove contact lenses (if applicable), then rinse with running water for several minutes. Seek medical help at once.
• Do not eat, drink or smoke near this substance. In case of swallowing any amount of carbendazim, give plenty of water to drink. Refer for medical attention immediately.
• Refer to label instructions and workplace regulations regarding proper handling of equipment before applying chemicals.

Always keep any chemical separated from bases, food and feedstuffs.

Where to learn more

• New #1 Fruit Tops 2016 “Dirty Dozen” List of EWG’s Most Toxic
• Poisonberry: The 10 Most Contaminated Fruits & Vegetables
• U.S. Juice Products Association wants you to drink more chemical fungicide in your orange juice
• Tainted juice saga reveals shocking truth about how much food we import
• FDA takes stand for public health, resists industry pressures to increase allowable levels of toxic fungicide carbendazim in orange juice product imports

Summary

Carbendazim is a fungicide used against fungal pathogens such as husk spot, chocolate spot, gray mold, green mold and crown rot.

Carbendazim is also a nematicide, which makes it highly toxic to earthworms.

Carbendazim may damage fertility or the unborn child. The EPA has classified carbendazim as Group C: “Possible Human Carcinogen.”