[Verse 1]
Last night, I heard the name Benlate from a distant relative.
Benlate is a rather bland name. The official name is Benomyl, a fungicide introduced in 1968 by DuPont.
[Pre Chorus 1]
It is a systemic benzimidazole fungicide.Benzimidazole is a heterocyclic aromatic organic compound.
[Chorus 1]
It is selectively toxic to microorganisms and invertebrates, especially earthworms, but relatively nontoxic toward mammals.
Since humans are mammals, it does affect us.
[Verse 2]
Benomyl has low toxicity for mammals, with an arbitrary LD50 greater
than ten thousand mg/kg/day for rats.
However, skin irritation may occur through industrial exposure, particularly for florists.
[Pre Chorus 2]
Mushroom pickers and floriculturists have reported allergic reactions to benomyl.
[Chorus 2]
In a laboratory study, dogs fed benomyl in their diets for three months showed no major toxic effects but did indicate altered liver function at the highest dose one hundred fifty milligrams per kilogram. This could lead to liver damage.
[Instrumental solo]
[Verse 3]
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classified benomyl as a possible carcinogen. Carcinogenic studies have produced conflicting results. A two-year study on mice indicated that it likely increases the risk of liver tumors.
[Pre Chorus 3]
The British Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food beleves this effect is related to the hepatotoxicity of benomyl.
[Chorus 3]
DuPont ceased production of benomyl in 2002 and transferred it to SUMITOMO Chemicals. However, in Japan, SUMITOMO Chemicals still produces benomyl, and it continues to be sold there. What the hell?
[Instrumental solo]
[Fade out]
Title: Benomyl
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