Carbaryl, Carbofuran, and Methomyl - National Marine Fisheries ...

were detected in the water including azinphos-methyl, another cholinesterase inhibitor, and
several chlorinated hydrocarbons (chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, methoxychlor, mirex, and others).
It is likely that the kill was in part due to mixture toxicity, particularly with the combinations of
carbamates and OP insecticides.
Incident I000599-008: A report by the California Department of Fish and Game indicates
approximately 3,000 fish, 4,000 crayfish and frogs, 200 birds, and at least 5,000 invertebrates
were killed on North Temple Creek in San Joaquin County, California. The adjacent vineyard
had been treated with Furadan 4F (carbofuran). Chemical analysis confirmed carbofuran in the
gizzards of starling up to 9.8 mg/kg, crayfish collected on site had 0.6 mg/kg, the stomach
contents of great egrets, which were primarily crayfish, contained 0.3 mg/kg, and surface water
had detections up to 7,800 µg/L. The California Department of Fish and Game concluded that
the preponderance of evidence indicated carbofuran was the cause of death. EPA characterized
the cause of death as probable.
Incident B0000-246-01: According to a 1975 report by EPA, 22,000 catfish were killed in 7
miles of stream at an agricultural site in Oklahoma. Minimal information on the incident was
reported. Chemical analysis was not conducted but EPA classified this association with carbaryl
as probable. Other a.i.s were identified as possibly contributing to the kill were toxaphene,
methyl parathion, and endrin.
Incident B0000-501-92: EPA concluded that a fish kill in a New Jersey pond was caused by
drift of carbaryl following the application of Sevin in 2000. This incident was characterized as
probable. No chemical analysis was conducted.
FMC reported several incidents called in to their emergency telephone number in the second
quarter of 1992. One incident reported a small number of dead bluegill observed in a drain pond
adjacent to corn and tobacco fields. The caller indicated Furadan 15G (carbofuran), Counter
(chlorpyrifos), and Temik (aldicarb) had been applied to the crops. Chlorpyrifos is an AChE
inhibiting organophosphate insecticide. Aldicarb and carbaryl are both cholinesterase inhibiting
N-methyl carbamates. Dead fish were observed following heavy rains. No analysis was done on
382