Evaluation of Pesticide Incident Report 2011-0450

This content was archived on June 24, 2013.

Background

Pest control products are registered by Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) for use only 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. The PMRA 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 the PMRA. 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 2011-0450

A report was received by the PMRA on January 11, 2011 describing an incident that occurred in Québec City on August 29, 2009 in which 40 grackles, a type of songbird, became disoriented, dropped from the sky, exhibited violent convulsions and died following the unintended consumption of corn grain treated with a pesticide. It was determined that a licensed exterminator had mixed the pest control product Avitrol Whole Corn (PCP Registration Number 12096), containing 0.5% of the active ingredient 4-aminopyridine, with crushed corn and placed the mixture in a bird feeder on a rooftop to repel feral pigeons.

In accordance with the Incident Reporting Regulations classification system, this incident was classified as Domestic Animal Death. This incident report is available on the PMRA electronic Public Registry on the Health Canada website.

Health Canada Evaluation

Avitrol end-use products are registered in Canada for use as bird repellents. Avitrol products consist of pre-treated bait (seed or grain depending on the product) and are intended to control undesired birds such as pigeons, sparrows, blackbirds and/or cowbirds. Birds that ingest bait treated with Avitrol exhibit a distress reaction that is intended to frighten the remainder of the flock and keep them away from the site of interest. Typically, birds recover from the ingestion of Avitrol, although some mortality may occur.

Avitrol Whole Corn, which is involved in this incident, is used to repel feral pigeons. According to the label directions, Avitrol Whole Corn must be thoroughly mixed with untreated whole corn prior to its use. The label recommends a 1:29 ratio except when abundant food sources are available in the area, in which case a 1:20 or 1:10 ratio may be used.

The PMRA reviewed the information submitted for this incident report which included registrant information based on media reports, and the results of an investigation led by the Québec Ministry of the Environment and the PMRA Québec Regional Office. According to the information provided by the PMRA Québec Regional Office, the exterminator reported to have mixed Avitrol Whole Corn with crushed corn (instead of the required whole corn). In addition, a sample taken from the bird feeder at the time of the incident contained 0.14% of 4-aminopyridine (the active ingredient in Avitrol products), which was determined to be 3.1 to 8.2 times higher than the expected concentrations when Avitrol products are mixed according to label direction.

Health Canada Conclusion

The PMRA concluded that it is highly probable that the ingestion of Avitrol caused the grackle mortality in Québec City. This is supported by the fact that a sample taken from the bird feeder confirmed the presence of 4-aminopyridine and that the grackles exhibited symptoms that are consistent with the distress response associated with Avitrol.

Furthermore, in the case of this incident, it was determined that Avitrol was not used according to label directions. Avitrol Whole Corn was mixed with crushed corn instead of whole corn grains, which may have attracted the grackles. Also, measured concentrations of active ingredient in the mixture from the bird feeder suggest that the exterminator did not follow the mixing ratio on the Avitrol Whole Corn label and used a higher proportion of Avitrol Whole Corn in the mixture.

The causality of this incident was assessed based on evaluated information present at the time of the review. Health Canada has imposed an Administrative Monetary Penalty on the extermination company for using Avitrol in a way that is inconsistent with the directions on the label. The PMRA has concluded that no additional regulatory action is required by Health Canada at this time.

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