In general, due to its rapid metabolism and rapid degradation, carbaryl should not pose a significant bioaccumulation risk in alkaline waters. Degradation of carbaryl in the soil is mostly due to sunlight and bacterial action. It is bound by organic matter and can be transported in soil runoff. Carbaryl has a half-life of 7 to 14 days in sandy loam soil and 14 to 28 days in clay loam soil. In surface water, carbaryl is broken down by bacteria and through hydrolysis.
Evaporation is very slow.
It has a short residual life of less than 2 weeks. The metabolites of carbaryl have lower toxicity to humans than carbaryl itself. Carbaryl is a solid that varies from colorless to white or gray, depending on the purity of the compound. The crystals are odorless. Carbaryl is stable to heat, light, and acids.