The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7195 p557-561
27 April 2002

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Sale of some insecticides banned

Insecticides containing dichlorvos must be removed from sale immediately. The decision to ban them was made by Ministers following advice received from the Advisory Committee on Pesticides.

The ACP is concerned that dichlorvos might be a genotoxic carcinogen. "We have advised Ministers that there could be a small risk of adverse health effects following prolonged exposure to dichlorvos. They have therefore decided as a precautionary measure to suspend the sale of specified products containing dichlorvos with immediate effect," said Professor David Coggon, chairman of the ACP.

The decision means it will be illegal to advertise, sell or supply a range of 48 domestic insecticides containing dichlorvos. The products affected include fly and moth killers manufactured by both Boots and Superdrug. The ACP advises that retailers contact their suppliers or local waste authority for details of how to dispose of the products. It adds that dichlorvos products already purchased can continue to be used.

The suspension will last until data on the mutagenic and carcinogenic potential of dichlorvos satisfies the ACP that such products are safe to use. A list of the suspended products can be found on the Health and Safety Executive's website (www.hse.gov.uk) within the press releases section for April. This part of the website can be accessed via the What's New link.