California to Restrict Consumer Use of the Pesticide Carbaryl
916-445-5815 | Craig.Cassidy@cdpr.ca.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Sacramento) – A recently adopted California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) rule restricting general consumer use of pesticides containing the ingredient carbaryl will take effect August 1, 2020.
Carbaryl is widely used in agriculture. Introduced in the early 1960s under the brand name Sevin, it is also commonly used around homes for controlling insects in lawns and gardens.
This regulation is intended to reduce residential exposures. With the exception of baits labeled for agricultural use, it designates all carbaryl products as California "restricted materials," meaning training and licensing are required to buy or use them.
While pest control professionals are trained on how to safely use pesticides, most residential users are not. DPR's pesticide-illness data over the past decade shows the majority of carbaryl illnesses1 – some of which involved children under the age of 5 – were the result of misuse around the home.
"Protecting human health is DPR's chief mission," explained DPR Director Val Dolcini. "Limiting access to only trained and licensed users will help reduce the risk of dangerous exposures to adults and children during home use."
Carbaryl products must be removed from California retail store shelves and will not be available to consumers after Aug. 1. It will then be illegal for any person except licensed pesticide applicators to buy, possess or use carbaryl products. This includes landscape maintenance workers, unless they are licensed.
Consumers should contact their state or local hazardous waste disposal program or local solid waste collection service for information on proper disposal of unused products and containers. In addition to human hazards, carbaryl is potentially harmful to the environment. It is illegal to dispose of carbaryl products in sinks, toilets, storm drains or any body of water.
1 This includes incidents involving carbaryl alone or used in combination with other pesticides.
- For more on development of the carbaryl regulation
- California Notice to Stakeholders
- Currently Registered Carbaryl Products
- Letter to County Agricultural Commissioners – Carbaryl Expanded as a California Restricted Material - Retail Sales End August 1, 2020
- Earth 911 – Website search directory for disposing of household hazardous wastes
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