State ready to ban bug bombs

New York State moves to ban pesticide “bug bombs” from the public in light of explosive risks deemed by the Center for Disease Control.
Following a report issued by the CDC detailing hazards and injuries connected to product use, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis announced on Friday, October 17, that action will be taken to address the serious risks that total release foggers, also known as bug bombs, pose. The bombs, which are aerosol cans, contain pesticide that when activated, steadily release a deadly, flammable fume.
In an effort to prevent future injuries, the DEC will motion to classify release foggers as a restricted-use product in New York State. In turn, only those with a pesticide applicator’s certification will be able to obtain the product.
“The CDC report has shone a spotlight on foggers,” Commissioner Grannis said. “Over the past year, DEC has been in discussions with the New York State Department of Health and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene regarding the problems with these products. Fortunately, we have the authority to address these hazards and protect New Yorkers.”
Part of as effort to illuminate prior and potential hazards, CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, revealed that the California Department of Pesticide Regulation investigated eight state health departments participating in the Sentinel Event Notification System for Occupational Risk (SENSOR) pesticides program, identified 368 of the total 466 acute illnesses or injuries from the release foggers within 2001 and 2006. On April 15, 2005, SENSOR released a 96-page surveillance effort to promote comparability across states.
Of the 123 recorded cases of bug bomb-related injuries in New York State, almost half of them occurred in New York City alone. According to FDNY data, within the last several years, total release foggers have caused at least four to eight powerful explosions in New York City apartments. Just last month, an apartment building in Manhattan was evacuated after a bug bomb caused an explosion. Ten people were treated at the scene, including six who were brought to the hospital.
The most commonly reported bug bomb related health issues included were respiratory problems and gastrointestinal reactions, such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In editorial comments accompanying the study, the CDC notes that these figures are most likely underestimated.
A total of 372 (80 percent) cases were classified as low severity, 84 (18 percent) cases were moderate severity, and nine (2 percent) were high severity. The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report listed the 10 most common active ingredients as leading to low severity symptoms such as irritation to skin and eyes, runny nose, abnormal skin sensations, numbness, headaches, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, respiratory and visional problems. High severity cases include symptoms such as fluid in the lungs, muscle twitching, seizures, loss of consciousness and nerve impulse inhibition.
“The CDC study makes it clear that we cannot wait for the federal government to restrict the use of foggers,” said New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Richard Daines. “We must act to protect the health of New Yorkers. Pest control should be accomplished without harming people.”
The New York State Department of Health offers assistance in various types of pesticides at 800-458-1158, the National Pesticide Information Center at 800-858-7378 or www.pestincideinfo.org.