Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Biocides &
pesticides
Following the review of the chemical dichlorvos, action has been taken by Ministers as a precautionary public health measure.
On 19 April 2002, Ministers announced that they were suspending the sale of a range of insecticide products containing dichlorvos, to minimise the exposure of householders and those who work with pesticides from a remote but potentially significant risk to their health. This included professional, domestic and agricultural products.
Ministers have subsequently decided to withdraw the approvals for a range of non-agricultural insecticide products, which includes products available to the general public and most professional products containing dichlorvos.
The decisions were taken by Ministers following the advice of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP), an independent expert scientific committee.
In reaching its decision, the ACP consulted members of the Committee on Mutagenicity (COM) and the Committee on Carcinogenicity, both of which report to the Government's Chief Medical Officer and the Chairman of the Food Standards Agency.
Dichlorvos is used in some domestic pesticide products and certain parts of the horticultural industry.
Dichlorvos, [O-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-O,O-dimethylphosphate (DDVP)] is used as an organophosphorus insecticide against crawling and flying insects in the home, as well as in agricultural and veterinary products. It has been used extensively around the world for many years.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) administers the registration of those products that are used against crawling and flying insects in the home and other buildings.
At present, there are 48 HSE-registered non-agricultural pesticide products containing dichlorvos. These include aerosols, slow release controllable and non-controllable cassettes, and slow release strips.
The Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP) had concerns over two aspects of the safety of dichlorvos, following new studies presented to them during a review of the substance.
Firstly, studies in animals suggested that dichlorvos may have the potential to be a genotoxic carcinogen (that is, it could be capable of causing cancer). As there was only very limited information to suggest a risk of carcinogenicity, and as the Committee believed that any risk of these effects being seen in humans were so small, they recommenced that users may continue to use products which have already been bought.
Secondly, the ACP had concerns over the size of the safety margins between the amount of dichlorvos that members of the public may be exposed to and the amount that may have the potential to cause health effects. This was in relation to long-term exposure to dichlorvos. They concluded that the safety margins were not sufficiently large to satisfy modern regulatory standards.
The concern in this case was of effects on the functioning of the nervous system, called anticholinesterase effects.
From 21 April 2002 it has been illegal to advertise, sell or supply a range of insecticides containing dichlorvos, following the suspension of these conditions of approval.
Retailers should have removed all such products from their shelves immediately, and may wish to contact their suppliers or local waste authority for details of how to dispose of them.
It is not illegal to continue to store or use the products, as long as this is done safely (for example by following the instructions given on the product label). The use and storage of aerosol products and most slow release controllable and non-controllable cassettes (including all amateur products used by the general public) continued until 14 April 2004.
Approval for advertisement, sale, storage and supply for the purposes of disposal was revoked from 15 April 2005.
Professional use of dichlorvos strips and controllable and non-controllable cassettes in museums for specimen preservation has been allowed to continue subject to restrictions on the use and the submission of further data.
Approvals for the three current professional use only products have been allowed to continue, subject to restrictions of the use of the products and the submission of further data.
Non-agricultural pesticides containing dichlorvos are affected by this decision. Each HSE approved product is given a unique HSE number, which must appear on the product label. You can check the identity of any approved product by checking the number with HSE on 0151 951 5825.
If members of the public have a product with an HSE number to control insects in the home or other buildings which contains dichlorvos but is not in the list below, it may be old stocks of products that no longer hold approval. You can contact HSE to check this (0151 951 5825) or dispose of it in the bin.
For the following products, approval for advertisement, sale and supply were suspended on 21 April 2002, and they were also subject to the following revocation periods:
| HSE No. | Product Name | Product Type | Marketing Company |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4773 | Bop | Aerosol | McBride International |
| 6152 | Farco Rapid Kill | Aerosol | F A Richard & Company Ltd |
| 3696 | Shelltox Extra Fly killer | Aerosol | Temana International Ltd |
| 3162 | Shelltox Fly killer | Aerosol | Temana International Ltd |
| 4907 | Vapona Fly & Wasp Killer Spray | Aerosol | Ashe Ltd |
| 6265 | Anopav Fly Killer | Slow release strip | Not to be marketed |
| 5795 | Betterware Flying Insect Killer (Slow Release) | Slow release cassette | Betterware UK Ltd |
| 6959 | Betterware Slow Release Fly Killer | Slow release cassette | Betterware UK Ltd |
| 5990 | Betterware Small Space Insect Killer | Slow release cassette | Betterware UK Ltd |
| 4922 | Boots Slow Release Fly Killer | Slow release cassette | The Boots Company PLC |
| 5272 | Boots Small Space Moth Killer | Slow release cassette | The Boots Company PLC |
| 6958 | Bouchard Slow Release Fly Killer | Slow release cassette | IBA UK Ltd |
| 7085 | Combat Fly Killer | Slow release cassette | Sinclair Animal & House Care Ltd |
| 7086 | Combat Moth Killer | Slow release cassette | Sinclair Animal & House Care Ltd |
| 4338 | Cromessol Fly-Away | Slow release cassette | Comessol Company Ltd |
| 4027 | Culmstock Mothproofer | Slow release cassette | Culmstock Ltd |
| 3961 | Culmstock Slow Release Fly Killer | Slow release cassette | Culmstock Ltd |
| 5676 | Fly Killer | Slow release cassette | Rentokil Intitial UK Ltd |
| 4442 | Flying Insect Killer | Slow release cassette | Culmstock Ltd |
| 4618 | Freshways Slow Release Insect Killer | Slow release cassette | Freshways of York |
| 4692 | Global Small Space Fly And Moth Strip | Slow release cassette | Globol Chemicals Uk ltd |
| 4617 | Industrial Hygiene Controllable Cassette Insect Killer | Slow release cassette | Industrial Hygiene Company Ltd |
| 5259 | Jeyes Slow Release Fly Killer Controllable Cassette | Slow release cassette | Jeyes Group Ltd |
| 5289 | Jeyes Small Space Fly And Moth Strip | Slow release cassette | Jeyes Group Ltd |
| 5261 | Kleenoff Slow Release Fly Killer Controllable Cassette | Slow release cassette | Jeyes Group Ltd |
| 5288 | Kleenoff Small Space Fly And Moth Strip | Slow release cassette | Jeyes Group Ltd |
| 5598 | Kontrol Kitchen Size Fly Killer | Slow release cassette | Sinclair Animal & House Care Ltd |
| 4920 | Lloyds Supersave Slow Release Fly And Wasp Killer | Slow release cassette | LLoyds |
| 4921 | Lloyds Supersave Small Space Fly And Moth Strip | Slow release cassette | Lloyds |
| 5677 | Moth And Fly Killer | Slow release cassette | Rentokil Initial Ltd |
| 6268 | Murphys Long Lasting Fly And Wasp Killer | Slow release cassette | Levington Horticulture Ltd |
| 4397 | Secto Fly Killer Living Room Size | Slow release cassette | Sinclair Animal & House Care Ltd |
| 4398 | Secto Mini-Space Insect Killers | Slow release cassette | Sinclair Animal & House Care Ltd |
| 4430 | Secto Moth Killer | Slow release cassette | Sinclair Animal & House Care Ltd |
| 4399 | Secto Slow Release Fly Killer Kitchen Size | Slow release cassette | Sinclair Animal & House Care Ltd |
| 4339 | Slow Release Fly Killer Controllable Cassette | Slow release cassette | Globol Chemicals UK Ltd |
| 3962 | Superdrug Slow Release Fly Killer | Slow release cassette | Superdrug Stores PLC |
| 4068 | Superdrug Small Space Fly/Moth Strip | Slow release cassette | Superdrug Stores PLC |
| 3673 | Teepol Products Vapona Fly Killer | Slow release cassette | Temana International Ltd |
| 6168 | Terminator Slow Release Fly Killer | Slow release cassette | Sanoda Ltd |
| 6167 | Terminator Small Space Fly And Moth Killer | Slow release cassette | Sanoda Ltd |
| 4717 | Vapona Fly Killer | Slow release cassette | Ashe Ltd |
| 4724 | Vapona Moth Killer | Slow release cassette | Ashe Ltd |
| 5685 | Vapona Professional Cockroach Killer | Slow release cassette | Ashe Consumer Products Ltd |
| 4723 | Vapona Small Space Fly Killer | Slow release cassette | Ashe Consumer Products Ltd |
For the following professional-use-only products, approval for advertisement, sale and supply were suspended on 21 April 2002. Approvals for these products are not subject to revocation, but have been allowed to continue, subject to restrictions on use and the provision of further data.
| 4292 | Funnel Trap Insecticidal Strip | Slow release strip | Agrisense BCS Ltd |
| 5517 | DDVP (Toxicant) Strip | Slow release strip | International Pheromone Systems Ltd |
| 5081 | Museum Flykiller | Slow release strip | Not to be marketed |
Products containing dichlorvos are being removed from the supply chain, as a precautionary measure.
However, the Advisory Committee on Pesticides considers that the risk of health effects in humans is remote. As such, members of the public can continue to use dichlorvos products that they have already bought, and should eventually dispose of the used products in the domestic rubbish.
If they wish, they may dispose of unused product in rubbish bins immediately (if aerosols and slow release products are disposed of in domestic bins, any risks to refuse collectors and other workers are considered to be minimal).
Professional users can continue to use products that have already been bought, although restrictions have been placed on their use.
Used products should be disposed of in the normal manner.
If they decide to dispose of these products before they have been used, they should in the first instance contact their suppliers. As disposal of these products may be subject to The Special Waste Regulations 1996 (as amended), retailers and wholesalers may need to contact their local waste disposal authority and/or a specialist waste disposal company.
Retailers and wholesalers should have removed the affected products from sale from 21 April 2002, and stored them safely.
For disposal of these products, they are advised in the first instance to contact their suppliers. As disposal of these products would be subject to the Special Waste Regulations 1996 (as amended), retailers and wholesalers may need to contact their local council for details of their local waste disposal authority and/or a specialist waste disposal company.
Companies selling dichlorvos products and retailers are responsible for removing products from the shelves. Failure to comply with these actions may lead to prosecution under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985.
Approval for sale, advertisement and supply of products was suspended from 21 April 2002.
For aerosol products and most slow release controllable and non controllable cassettes (including all amateur products for use by the general public):
Approval for sale and advertisement of products was revoked from 15 April 2003.
Approval for supply, storage and use was revoked from 15 April 2004.
Approval for advertisement, sale, storage and supply for the purposes of disposal only was revoked on 15 April 2005.
Breaches of the approval conditions, such as anyone advertising, selling or supplying products containing dichlorvos after 21 April 2002, may be liable to prosecution under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985.
Enforcement will be conducted by HSE, local authority Environmental Health Officers or local authority Trading Standards Officers
Ministers are taking regulatory action as a precaution based on the advice of the ACP.
No evidence has been found of dichlorvos causing cancer in people.
The Committee on Mutagenicity considered that dichlorvos might be capable of causing changes in genetic material (DNA) at the site of contact. The Committee believed that it would be prudent to assume a genotoxic mechanism (has the potential to cause cancer by damaging genetic material) for the carcinogenic effects seen in animals.
Approvals for advertisement, sale and supply were suspended until further data could be generated on this. However, the Advisory Committee on Pesticides believed that any risk of these effects being seen in humans were so small that products that have already been bought could continue to be used.
Approvals for all amateur products and some professional products are being revoked because of concerns over anticholinesterase effects (effects on the functioning of the nervous system). The ACP were concerned that the difference between the amount of dichlorvos that users may be exposed to, and the amount that may have the potential to cause health effects was not sufficiently large. However, prolonged exposure to relatively high levels of dichlorvos would be necessary to present a significant risk of adverse effects occurring and it is unlikely that effects would result from the levels from the use of current products.
Animal studies have not demonstrated cancers of the lung, or any other part of the body through inhalation exposure.
The ACP considered the risk assessments of short- and long-term inhalation exposure to dichlorvos from aerosols and controllable cassettes (non-agricultural products).
They concluded that whilst short-term (acute) exposures did not present an unacceptable risk, there was an insufficient margin between predicted exposures and exposures that could possibly cause effects for long-term (chronic) exposure. However, it is considered that any risks from the low-level exposures from current products will be very small.
As far as we are aware no one has contracted cancer as a result of being exposed to dichlorvos. The review of dichlorvos examined the available published literature and found no evidence of dichlorvos-related cancers in humans.
Dichlorvos is one of a number of insecticides that kill insects by interfering with nerve transmission.
It interferes with the destruction of a neurotransmitter called aceytlcholine, which is also involved in nerve transmission in humans. As such, exposure to dichlorvos could have the potential to cause health effects.
However, it is highly unlikely that any ill-health effects would occur from the exposure from the current pesticide products and action is being taken as a precautionary measure.
The available evidence suggests that any risks following exposure to dichlorvos are very low. The risk assessments and exposure reduction methods used in manufacture should further minimise any such risks.
Dichlorvos is rarely found in food.
The consumption of produce already treated with dichlorvos (sourced from within or outside the UK) does not raise concerns since the levels of dietary exposure (from food residues monitoring data) are considered minimal.
A wide range of crops and foods are monitored for pesticide residues, and these monitoring data provide reassurance that the risk to consumers is minimal. Monitoring data conducted in the USA gives a similar picture.
For further information contact PSD' s Information Services on 01904 455775, or by email to information@psd.defra.gsi.gov.uk
The Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP) was established to advise Ministers on any matter relating to the control of pests. In particular, the law requires that the ACP should be consulted about new regulations and any changes in the approval of pesticides.
The Secretariat for the ACP is provided jointly by the Pesticides Safety Directorate and HSE.
The Committee on Mutagenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COM) is an independent advisory committee report to the Chief Medical Officer and the Chairman of the Board of the Food Standards Agency.
The COM provides advice to Government Departments and Agencies on matters concerning the potential mutagenicity of chemicals ranging from natural products to new synthetic chemicals used in pesticides or pharmaceuticals.
The Committee on Carcinogenicity in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COC) is a similar advisory committee except that it provides advice to Government Departments, devolved administrations and agencies on matters concerning the potential carcinogenicity of chemicals.
Responsibility for the regulation of Pesticides in Great Britain lies with the five Ministerial signatories to the Control of Pesticides Regulations. These are the Secretaries of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Transport, Local Government and the Regions; Health; the Scottish Executive and the National Assembly for Wales.
Northern Ireland has responsibility for its own pesticide approval system under the Control of Pesticides (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1987 (as amended in 1997).
Chemicals Assessment Schemes Unit (CASU)
Health & Safety Executive
Building 1, 3rd Floor
Redgrave Court
Merton Road
Bootle
Merseyside
L20 7HS
Email: biocides@hse.gsi.gov.uk
Or on the website www.hse.gov.uk/pesticides/
PSD,
Information Services,
Room 320,
Mallard House,
Kings Pool,
2/3 Peasholme Green,
York,
YO1 7PX.
Email: information@psd.defra.gsi.gov.uk
Or on the web: www.pesticides.gov.uk
The minutes of the independent Advisory Committee on Pesticides meetings and other information on the Committee can be found on the Pesticides Safety Directorate web: www.pesticides.gov.uk/committees/acp/acp.htm.
You can write to the Secretariat at:
ACP Secretariat,
Room 202,
Mallard House,
Kings Pool,
2/3 Peasholme Green,
York,
YO1 7PX.
The statement and minutes of the Committee on Mutagenicity (of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment) consideration of dichlorvos can be found on the Department of Health website.