ANSES sounds the alarm. The National Agency for Food Safety, Environmental and Occupational Health published this Tuesday, December 5, a report regarding the product Sniper 1000 EC DDVP.
It is a powerful insecticide that contains dichlorvos, a product banned in France since 2013. Despite this ban, ANSES reports that Poison Centers registered 206 cases of people exposed to the product between January 2018 and June 2023.
In fact, the insecticide is still used to combat harmful organisms such as bedbugs or cockroaches.
Consequences that could be fatal
Dichlorvos is a substance classified as fatal by inhalation and toxic by contact with the skin or ingestion. The ANSES explains that it can cause, in particular, respiratory symptoms such as asthma, eye symptoms and neurological disorders that can cause loss of consciousness or even cause a skin allergy.
While most of the reported poisonings were mild, nearly 10% were of medium severity and 5.5% were of severe severity, including three deaths, according to the agency.
On October 29, an octogenarian died in Lyon from a brain hemorrhage. An investigation was opened for “involuntary manslaughter” because the man had used the Sniper 1000 EC. While investigators have yet to determine the role of the insecticide in the death of the elderly person, who had health problems, the Lyon prosecutor’s office maintains the charges of “endangering the lives of other people” and “unauthorized sale of a dangerous product.” “on the research.
Alexandre Woog, director of a company specializing in pest control, explained to BFMTV.com that using the Sniper is usually a second option for people who are experiencing financial difficulties: “In general, people ask us for prices, around 400 “Euros for bed bug treatment, and they say they can buy a bottle for less and do it themselves,” he said.
Increase in poisoning
“Although it is prohibited, it is a common product, very easily accessible” and “fashionable,” explains Alexandre Woog. In fact, the Sniper can still be purchased “through illegal channels.” The Anses report shows that people mainly declared having purchased the product in markets (37.1%) or in stores or bazaars (20%).
Poisonings are also increasing and 104 cases were recorded between January 2022 and June 2023. “This increase should be considered in light of the increase in bedbug infestations in recent years,” writes ANSES.
In this context and given the significant media coverage of bedbug infestations, the authorities intend to raise the alarm about the dangerousness of the product. On its dangerous products alert site, Rappel Conso, the government has been raising awareness among consumers about Sniper 1000 EC bottles since November 8, asking them not to use them anymore. The reminder is also displayed on the site’s home page.
Source: BFM TV
