Toxic Free NC - Fact Sheets

A large number of pesticides are used on corn, which in North Carolina is grown throughoutthe state, both for human consumption and animal feed. Corn is an extremely chemical-intensive crop – conventionally-grown corn requires many applications of insect-killers, weed-killers, plant growth regulators and other types of pesticides. If you live near a corn-growing area, you may be exposed to these chemicals through drift or runoff. Some of these chemicals may be applied to corn fields from airplanes (called aerial application, also known as crop dusting), which can increase the chances of contaminating neighboring areas, such as homes or organic farms. Chemicals that may be applied aerially in North Carolina are followed by this symbol: *
You can find more information about these pesticides, including effects on human health and the environment, from the sources listed on the back side of this fact sheet.

Season

Chemical Name

Brand Names

Chemical Class

Uses

Info

Spring

Acetochlor

Acetochlor, Fultime, Topnotch, Keystone, Fieldmaster, Harness, Volley

Chloro-acetamide

Herbicide

1, 3, 4

Spring

Atrazine

Aatrex, Atrazine, Axiom, Brawn, Cadence, Contour, Degree, Fultime, Fieldmaster, G-Max, Harness, Liberty, Lumax, Marksman, Medal, Rifle

Chloro-acetamide

Herbicide *

2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Spring

S-Metolachlor

Bicep, Brawl, Brawn, Dual Magnum, Cinch, Expert, Lexar, Lumax, Medal II, Sequence

Chloro-acetamide

Herbicide *

Spring

Mesotrione

Callisto, Lexar, Lumax

Chloro-acetamide

Herbicide *

2, 4

Spring

Terbufos

Counter

Organo-phosphate

Insecticide *

1, 4, 7

Spring-Fall 1,

2,4-D

2,4-D, Duo, Tenkoz 638 Herbicide, Unison, Weedone

Chloro-phenoxy

Herbicide *

2, 3, 4, 5, 7

Spring, Summer

Bifenthrin

Annex, Bifenthrin, Bifenture, Capture, Discipline, Empower2, Fanfare

Pyrethroid

Insecticide *

1, 4

Spring, Summer

Cyfluthrin

Baythroid, Renounce

Pyrethroid

Insecticide

1, 2, 4

Spring, Summer

Zetacypermethrin

Fury, Mustang

Pyrethroid

Insecticide *

1, 2, 3, 5

Spring, Summer

Esfenvalerate

Bonide Bug Buster, Asana

Pyrethroid

Insecticide *

1, 4

Spring, Summer

Chlorpyrifos

Lorsban, Eraser, Govern, Nufos, Pilot, Warhawk, Whirlwind

Organo-phosphate

Insecticide *

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Spring, Summer

Nicosulfuron

Steadfast, Accent, Basis Gold, Clarion

Sulfonyl-urea

Herbicide *

Spring, Summer

Permethrin

Kickstart VP, Permethrin

Pyrethroid

Insecticide *

1, 2, 5

Spring, Summer

Indoxacarb

Dupont Avaunt

Pyrethroid

Insecticide *

1, 4

Spring, Summer

Spinosad

Bull’s Eye, Tracer

Microbial

Insecticide *

1, 4

Summer

Bacillus thuringiensis
(Bt)

Bt, Biobit, Deliver LC, Dipel, Javelin

Biological

Larvicide *

1, 2, 4, 5

Summer

Lamda-cyhalothrin

Karate, Lambda T, Silencer, Warrior

Pyrethroid

Insecticide *

1, 4, 5

Summer

Methomyl

Dupont Lannate

Carbamate

Insecticide *

1, 4, 7

Summer

Thiodicarb

Larvin

Carbamate

Insecticide *

1, 4

The following are different sources of information about how pesticides may affect human health and the environment. Internet addresses and contact information are provided for all sources, however we can also provide you with free copies of most of this information. Call toll-free: 1-877-NO SPRAY or email us to request copies.

Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisoning (book) by Reigart & Roberts, 5th edition (1999), U.S. EPA. This is an excellent handbook for health care providers. Note that information about pesticides is grouped by chemical class, not by the pesticide name or active ingredient. Available free, in Spanish or English, from the US EPA by calling (703) 305-7666, or online at: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/safety/healthcare/handbook/handbook.htm
Pesticide Fact Sheets (articles) from NCAP, published in the Journal of Pesticide Reform (magazine). Available by calling (541) 344-5044 or online at: http://www.pesticide.org/factsheets.html. These are in-depth articles about pesticide active ingredients, and they cover environmental as well as health effects. Free on the web; $4 to $6 each if sent by mail.
Chemical Watch Fact Sheets (articles) from Beyond Pesticides. Available free by calling (202) 543-5450 or online at: http://www.beyondpesticides.org/pesticides/factsheets/index.htm. These are two- to three-page articles about pesticide active ingredients that cover both environmental and human health effects.
PAN Pesticides Database (website) from Pesticide Action Network. This is a searchable database that provides current toxicity and regulatory information for almost all pesticides. Search by product name or chemical name. Available only on the web: http://www.pesticideinfo.org. The PAN database also includes a Pesticide Poisoning Diagnostic Tool designed to help healthcare providers recognize, manage and report pesticide- related illnesses. It can help identify a pesticide or class of pesticides that may be responsible for a pesticide-related illness. This resource also provides information for reporting a known or suspected pesticide poisoning: http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Search_Poisoning.jsp.
NPIC Fact Sheets (website) from the National Pesticide Information Center (sponspored by Oregon State University and EPA). NPIC’s Fact Sheets provide basic information for consumers about various pesticide products, which are listed by active ingredient on the website: http://npic.orst.edu/npicfact.htm. The fact sheets are written in simple language and are easy for most people to understand. NPIC also maintains a toll-free telephone service for pesticide information (1-800-858-7378), and lists emergency treatment information for humans and animals.
ToxFAQ’s (website) from the US Centers for Disease Control’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. These are short summaries of basic health information about many contaminants that are commonly found at hazardous waste sites, including some pesticides. These are written in simple language and are easy for most people to understand; many are also in Spanish. Only available on the website: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html.
Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheets (website) from the New Jersey Department of Health. These are summaries of health information about many environmental contaminants, including some pesticides. They are designed for people who are exposed to these chemicals at work, and they are written in simple language and are easy for most people to understand. Available in English and in Spanish on the website: http://www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/rtkweb/rtkhsfs.htm