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What is Aldicarb?
Aldicarb, with the trademark of Temik 10G, is an insecticide that was widely used in agriculture in Canada to control insects. It is a member of the carbamate class of agricultural chemicals. Although Temik 10G was voluntarily withdrawn from the market in 1996, residues can sometimes still be found in water samples, especially groundwater. It is also quite likely that there are still supplies of Temik 10G with individual farmers and gardeners, and some may still be using it today, although it is illegal.
How does Aldicarb enter our water?
Aldicarb is very soluble in water, so that it moves easily from soil into surface water or shallow groundwater aquifers. Data from numerous sites across Canada and the United States shows past use of aldicarb resulted in significant contamination of groundwater aquifers. Because of its persistence in groundwater, drinking water supplies can be contaminated with aldicarb because it can be pumped up through wells, or fed into surface water bodies such as streams, lakes and rivers.
How does Aldicarb affect human health?
Aldicarb and its by-products, aldicarb sulphoxide and aldicarb sulphone, inhibit acetyl-cholinesterase in the nervous system. Symptoms of poisoning include: dizziness, weakness, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, excessive perspiration, blurred vision, headache, temporary paralysis and convulsions. In documented cases, recovery is rapid – usually within six hours.
How does Aldicarb affect the aquatic environment?
In small amounts, aldicarb can limit the growth and reproductive ability of fish and aquatic insects, while in higher concentrations it is lethal.
What are the Aldicarb guidelines?
To protect people from exposure to aldicarb and its by-products, the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water has established a Guideline for Drinking Water Quality of 0.009 micrograms of aldicarb per litre of drinking water.
Canadian Water Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Life are set for aldicarb at 1 microgram per litre of water.
What can individuals do to help?
To avoid toxic chemicals such as aldicarb from contaminating water:
- Do not use any supplies of aldicarb,
- Only dispose of the chemical through a hazardous waste collection centre, and
- Never pour any contaminant such as aldicarb down the drain, as this can disrupt septic systems or contaminate treatment plant sludge.
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