Fipronil

It appears that a challenge has been made. Earlier today Amanda's blog mentioned the pesticide fipronil, and she suggested that I "get on this one right away." So Amanda, here it is:

Fipronil is a relatively new pesticide ingredient. Its listed uses include structural pest control (termites and other critters that might damage wood structures) and agricultural/landscaping. It is applied by spraying onto structures or being INJECTED into the soil. It is a common ingredient in ant and roach baits and flee and tick sprays used on pets. Based on the list of products I found, it is likely that we all have it in our homes. So here's the damage...it's acute toxicity is labeled "moderate", it is a "possible" carcinogen, a "potential" ground water contaminant, and a "suspected" endocrine disruptor. So what does all this mean? Mostly it means that fipronil products are relatively new to the market and there is conflicting data or none at all for some of these catagories. For example a possible carcinogen is one where limited evidence of potentially cancer causing effects exists in laboratory animals, but there is no human evidence (because the risks are too high to conduct human studies?). A potential ground water contaminant is one that has not been identified in contaminated ground water (because no one has looked for it?) but has the potential to contaminate ground water based on usage and water solubility. Finally, a suspected endocrine disrupter is a chemical that has been shown to cause endocrine changes in organisms through assays of body fluids, but no physical signs have been observed YET. I would think twice before putting it on my pet.

Did we learn nothing from DDT? The National Resource Defense Council website (www.nrdc.org) has more information on pesticides and provides the opportunity to contact your representatives on this and many other environmental topics including National Parks, logging, and fisheries management. Stay informed. Speak out. Make a difference.

"Have we fallen into a mesmerized state that makes us accept as inevitable that which is inferior or detrimental, as though having lost the will or vision to demand that which is good?"-Rachel Carson

"The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction." -Rachel Carson