Evaluation of Pesticide Incident Report 2012-4531, an Update to 2010-1615

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.

Incident Report 2012-4531

An update to a previously submitted incident (2010-1615) was provided to the PMRA. Both incidents were reported by the same person; the original report was made to the registrant (who then was legally required to report the incident to the PMRA), and this update (2012-4531) was submitted directly to the PMRA.

According to the original report (2010-1615), a product containing the active ingredients permethrin and S-methoprene was sprayed between the mattresses and on the perimeter of the floor in a person's bedroom. An individual slept on the bed the night the product was sprayed and exhibited symptoms of vomiting, chemical taste in the mouth, pneumonia, paralysis, and scarring of the lung tissue. The individual passed away approximately three weeks later. It was also reported that the individual's daughter, who applied the product, experienced bronchitis.

The additional information provided in incident report 2012-4531 included the identity of the product, which was confirmed to be Vet-Kem Siphotrol 1000 Double Action Premise Treatment (PCP Reg. No. 25739). Additional symptoms not reported in the original incident report were also provided. It was indicated that the individual who slept in the treated bed had been in a coma prior to his death, and that the person who applied the product developed oromandibular cervical dystonia and associated dysphagia that started shortly after the original incident and that has worsened over time.

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

Health Canada Evaluation

The product identified in this incident report contains 0.078% S-methoprene and 0.80% permethrin. S-methoprene has relatively low toxicity and is not associated with adverse reactions in humans. Symptoms of overexposure to permethrin may include nausea, headache, vomiting, irritation, or abnormal skin sensations such as burning and tingling.

The scenario reported in this incident is not likely to result in substantial exposure that would lead to a coma. There are no other reports of dystonia or coma following exposure to permethrin or S-methoprene. Dystonia is usually caused by trauma or genetic factors, and is not consistent with pesticide exposure. Therefore, it is unlikely that the reported coma and dystonia were caused by the exposure to the pesticide.

Health Canada Conclusion

In reviewing the original incident report (2010-1615), Health Canada determined that it was unlikely that the symptoms of paralysis, pneumonia and scarring of lung tissue, as well as the reported death, were related to exposure to the pesticide product. It was considered possible that the vomiting and chemical taste in the mouth in the individual that died, and the bronchitis reported in the individual that sprayed the product, were related to exposure to the product.

Based on the available information, it is considered unlikely that the reported coma and dystonia are associated with exposure to the pesticide product.

It is important to note that this incident involved application to a mattress, which is not an approved use for either permethrin or S-methoprene.

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.