Press
Deaths from Building Fumigation Raise Long-standing Health Concerns, Calls for Ban and Adoption of Alternatives
June 28 2023 - Beyond Pesticides
“An autopsy report from the Broward County Medical Examiner’s office in Florida found that acute exposure to the fumigant sulfuryl fluoride resulted in the death of two pest control workers from Pompano Beach.”
“This case represents the broader issue of how toxic chemical compounds can enter the body, causing physiological damage.”
“There is a lack of complete understanding of the etiology of pesticide-induced diseases, including predictable lag time between chemical exposure, health impacts, and epidemiological data. Pesticides themselves can possess the ability to disrupt neurological function.” …Read Full Article…
Couple wants new rules for pest companies after cat killed under nearby home being fumigated
July 18 2018 - ABC News Tampa Bay (FL)
“Florida law mandates "before the fumigant is to be applied, the certified operator in charge...must make a final, personal inspection of the structure" and the law requires each pesticide be used according to its label. The label for Vikane reads "remove from the structure all persons, domestic animals, pets..."“ …Read Full Article…
Fumigator protests fine for dead cat
June 28 2005 - Monterey County Herald (CA)
“…the two pest control companies failed to follow labeling instructions on the Vikane containers they used.”
“The labels say that pets or other domestic animals and desired plants should be removed from a building before the gas is applied, and state law requires pest control companies to follow label directions.” …Read Full Article…
LA weighs plan to protect pets from fumigation
March 2 2008 - Los Angeles Business Journal (CA)
“The motion also notes the potential harm that pest control gasses can pose to children.” …Read Full Article…
Community cats killed after being trapped under termite tents in Miami Beach
June 15 2021 - 7 News Miami (FL)
“Fumigation instances where cats had died due to the improper care from contractors by not removing them from the premises.” …Read Full Article…
Cat dies during fumigation at St. Pete home, owner says pest control showed up early
April 23 2019 - WLFA St. Petersburg (FL)
Her neighbors found her in front of her house, on her knees, sobbing.
“That’s her family member, it’s not just a cat okay. It’s someone she’s had with her a long time, she cares about and the attitude of these people was just that they didn’t care,” …Read Full Article…
Sulfuryl Fluoride Poisonings in Structural Fumigation, a Highly Regulated Industry—Potential Causes and Solutions
June 16 2019 - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Between 2003 and 2014 (the most recent year for which data are available), 59 reported incidents of sulfuryl fluoride-related illnesses following structural fumigations in California received follow-up investigation. … The CDPR counted 86 individuals among the 59 incidents.
Sulfuryl fluoride is a toxic gas that targets the central nervous system. It is rapidly absorbed when inhaled and breaks down into several components that travel through the bloodstream, reaching the lungs, kidney, spleen, nasal tissues, and brain. Exposure may result in respiratory irritation, shortness of breath, pulmonary edema, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, itching, central nervous system depression, slowed gait, slurred speech, extremity numbness, muscle twitching, seizures, and death due to respiratory failure. …Read Full Publication…