Used primarily as a degradation product of carbofuran, carbofuran-3-keto retains biological activity and is monitored in environmental and food samples due to its toxicity. It serves as a key marker in residue analysis to assess the breakdown of carbofuran in crops and soil. Due to its persistence, it is frequently tested in water and agricultural products to ensure compliance with safety regulations. It is also used in analytical laboratories as a reference standard for detection and quantification in pesticide residue studies.