Butylate (herbicide)

Butylate is applied as an emulsifiable concentrate of 85% active ingredient and is incorporated into the soil, being applied preplant, at plant, postplant, or after harvest. Its maxmimum application rate is 6.3 lb/acre (7.1 kg/Ha), which is much higher than many other herbicides. Soil incorporation is necessary due to the high volatility. == Health ==

Butylate is not toxic, not carcinogenic, not teratogenic and not mutagenic. Rat trials show acute neurotoxic effects at the lowest observed adverse effects level (LOAEL) of 2,000 mg/kg/day, leading to a no observed adverse effects level (NOAEL) of 600 milligrams/kilogram/day being established for the general population. At 400 mg/kg/day, rat offspring development was affected, showing decreased fetal weights and increased incidences of misaligned sterebrae, although no developmental effect at any dose is noted in rabbits. The EPA estimates human food exposure was under 0.3% of the permissible dose for all population subgroups, and so dietary risk of butylate is not a concern. Butylate is metabolised rapidly, so there are no residues expected in meat, milk, poultry or eggs, and no intact residues are found in harvested corn. The EPA requires that pesticide applicators wear, among other items, pants. == Environmental ==

Butylate has high volatility, with a vapor pressure of 170 mPa, so it may drift outside of target areas. Butylate is mobile to slightly mobile in soil. Ground water contamination is not expected. Technical butylate is highly toxic to freshwater fish, and non-toxic to birds and mammals. Surface water runoff may occur after rain. == References ==