Lactofen is available in solid form or as an emulsifiable concentrate under the trade name COBRA.[1]
Toxicology
Lactofen is slightly non-toxic to humans when ingested or inhaled. It can cause skin irritation including reddening, swelling and possibly corrosive burns. It is a severe eye irritant and can cause permanent damage to the eyes when there is sufficient exposure.[7]
It was found to be practically non-toxic to the species of birds that were studied.[8] Toxicity to fish and other aquatic organisms varied and it was eliminated in fish within fourteen days. It is of low toxicity to bees.[9]
Lactofen has a very low solubility in water and is not expected to contaminate surface waters. It binds tightly to soil and is then broken down in between one and seven days.[8][10]
^Valent USA. 1993. Material Safety Data Sheet for Valent Cobra Herbicide. Valent USA Corporation. Walnut Creek, CA.
^ abHerbicide Handbook of the Weed Science Society of America. 1989. Sixth edition. Champaign, IL
^US Environmental Protection Agency. 1995. File: Lactofen, Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). National Library of Medicine "Toxline" Database, 4/95.