Evaluation of Pesticide Incident Report 2009-1102

Background

Pest control products are only registered by Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) for use if there is reasonable certainty that no harm to human health or the environment will result from exposure to, or use of the product as directed on the label. Health Canada collects incident reporting data under the authority of the Pest Control Products Act. If a pesticide manufacturer receives information about an incident involving one of their products, they are required by law to submit that information to Health Canada. Members of the public may also submit information about an incident directly to Health Canada. It is important to note that the information presented in incident reports reflects the observations and opinion of the person reporting it, and does not include any assessment by Health Canada, nor does it confirm an association between the pesticide and the effects reported.

Health Canada considers the reported information to determine if there are potential health or environmental risks associated with a pesticide and, if necessary, takes corrective action. Such action could range from minor label changes to discontinuation of the product.

Incident Report 2009-1102

According to the incident report, 12 crow carcasses were collected along a creek bank in Sardis, BC; no other observations regarding the incident (i.e. specific location, behavior of subjects prior to death) were reported. Environment Canada was informed of the incident in accordance with the BC interagency wild bird mortality investigation protocol. The carcasses of 12 crows were submitted to the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands Animal Health Centre for post-mortem examination. Methomyl was detected at 19.0 ug/g; no other pesticide residues were detected.

In accordance with the Pest Control Products Incident Reporting Regulations classification system, this incident was classified as Environment Moderate. This incident report can be requested through the PMRA electronic Public Registry on the Health Canada website.

Health Canada Evaluation

The PMRA reviewed the information submitted for this incident report. Site of application and end-use product information are unknown. Therefore, the evaluation of the incident was based on the results of a multi-residue tissue analysis, cholinesterase levels, and assessment of the toxicity profile of methomyl. Methomyl is known to be highly acutely toxic to birds. Multi residue pesticide analysis showed that methomyl was the only pesticide detected in crow stomach contents/lining, and measure of cholinesterase in brain tissue were consistent with exposure to a carbamate pesticide.

Health Canada Conclusion

Based on the toxicity profile of methomyl, residues found in the dead birds, and brain cholinesterase levels consistent with exposure to a carbamate pesticide, it is highly probable that exposure to methomyl caused the bird mortality.

The PMRA is currently re-evaluating methomyl, and this information will be taken into consideration in the environmental review. The causality of this incident was assessed based on information present at the time of the review. Any additional information that may be provided to the PMRA will be taken into consideration, and may change the conclusions.

More information about the Pesticide Incident Reporting Program is available on the Health Canada Web site. Should you require further information please contact the Pesticide Incident Reporting Program.