Warning Out on Unregistered Insecticide Chalks

 


Despite the public health warnings issued by the authorities, imported insecticide chalks lacking product registration continue to proliferate in the local market.

The toxics watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition revealed that unregistered insecticide chalks for repelling ants and roaches are being sold in the streets, “presyong Divisoria” stores and public markets, as well as in online shopping platforms, for as low as P5 per box.

The group drew attention to the hazards posed by unregistered insecticide chalks as early as 2011.  Twelve years later, the sale of these illegal household pesticides persists, the group lamented.

Based on the group’s latest market monitoring, insecticide chalks, including one that claims to be “harmless to human beings and animals” and “safe to use” are sold to consumers without prior authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and despite warnings against their distribution, sale, purchase and use.

The agency advised consumers not to buy and use Craie Insecticide Miraculeuse, Miraculous Insecticide Chalk and SLS Magic Insecticide Chalk through FDA Advisories 2016-119, 2017-075 and 2021-2175, respectively, as these products have not gone through the required registration process and using them “may pose health risks to consumers.” 

“Potential hazards may come from harmful, toxic and banned active ingredients that pose imminent danger to human and animal health,” the FDA said. “The use of substandard and possibly adulterated household/urban pesticide products may result in adverse reactions including, but not limited to, skin irritation, itchiness, anaphylactic shock, respiratory disorders, endocrine complications, brain damage and organ failure.”

As written on their labels, the above mentioned insecticide chalks contain deltamethrin (also called decamethrin), a synthetic pyrethroid.  According to a recall and safety alert issued by Health Canada, “deltamethrin can cause serious health effects when used inappropriately,” noting “children are especially at risk from insecticide chalk because they can easily mistake the product for blackboard or sidewalk chalk and play with it or put it in their mouths.”

The US Environmental Protection Agency warned that “some insecticide chalks can cause serious health problems, including vomiting, stomach pains, convulsions, tremors, loss of consciousness, and serious allergic reactions.

To keep ants and roaches away, the EcoWaste Coalition encouraged households to try the following steps:

1.  Keep food ingredients and supplies in containers with tight-fitting lids.

2.  Cover food and beverage when not fully consumed.

3.  Clear away food crumbs, fruit rinds and spills immediately.

4.  Clean the kitchen counters, stovetops and sinks with warm soapy water to get rid of residues.

5.   Fix leaky faucets and dripping pipes that attract insects.

6.  Use crushed bay leaves and other natural repellents to keep ants and roaches at bay.

7. Squeeze calamansi into holes or cracks, or seal them, to deprive insects with entry points.

8.  Spray equal parts of vinegar and water on the ant trail, or scatter equal parts of baking soda and sugar on places where roaches go.

-end-

Reference:

https://www.fda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/FDA-Advisory-No.-2016-119.pdf
https://www.fda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/FDA-Advisory-No.-2017-075.pdf
https://www.fda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/FDA-Advisory-2021-2175.pdf
https://www.fda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/FDA-Advisory-No.2022-0834.pdf
https://www.fda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/FDA-Advisory-No.2022-1669.pdf
https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/avoid-illegal-household-pesticide-products
https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/insecticide-chalk-contains-highly-toxic-substance-0
http://ecowastecoalition.blogspot.com/2011/03/toxic-watchdog-raises-alarm-on_31.html#:~:text=The%20US%20Environmental%20Protection%20Agency,be%20avoided%20at%20all%20times.%E2%80%9D

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