Evaluation of Pesticide Incident Report 2011-2114

This content was archived on June 24, 2013.

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 2011-2114

Health Canada received a report of an incident involving a young child from Alberta that was suspected of ingesting a small amount of the pesticide product 2% Liquid Strychnine Concentrate (PCP Registration Number 28751). The child was found in the cab of a pick-up truck falling in and out of consciousness. Several bottles of the product were being stored under the passenger seat of the truck. When the child was discovered, it was noted that one of the bottles had been opened and that a small amount of product was missing from the bottle. The child was hospitalized for three days and was expected to make a full recovery.

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

Health Canada Evaluation

The product involved in this incident is registered on an emergency basis until June 30, 2011 for the control of Richardson's ground squirrels in Alberta. It contains the active ingredient strychnine at a concentration of 2%. Strychnine is a highly toxic chemical that tends to produce convulsions when ingested. While loss of consciousness is not a typical symptom of strychnine poisoning, it is possible for unconsciousness or similar symptoms to be observed following exposure to strychnine.

In this incident, the child had access to the product because directions on the product label were not followed. The label states that all bottles of this product must be stored in a locked compartment. However, it was noted that the statement requiring storage in a locked compartment is not very prominent on the label for this product.

Health Canada Conclusion

Based on the available information, it was concluded that it is probable that the pesticide caused the reported effect in this incident. While there is a high likelihood that the child was exposed to the pest control product, actual ingestion of the product was not witnessed in this case and the amount of product to which the child may have been exposed is not known.

As a result of this incident, Health Canada is taking action to reduce the potential for children to access pest control products containing strychnine. The labels for all strychnine products will be modified to ensure prominence, consistency and clarity of statements pertaining to storage requirements. The sale of all strychnine products registered for use in Canada is restricted to certain individuals (e.g., pest control operators, farmers). Further investigation into the nature of these restrictions for all strychnine products will also be undertaken.

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.