APVMA to further restrict the use of fenthion

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has proposed to take further regulatory action on the chemical fenthion to address risks to human health and the environment.

The APVMA has published the Preliminary Review Findings Report and has recommended further restriction to the use of fenthion. This report brings together all risk assessments done to date, including toxicology, worker exposure and environmental effects.

The APVMA concludes that in a number of situations fenthion products may pose unacceptable risks to human health through dietary and occupational exposures, and to the environment. The APVMA proposes the following regulatory actions to manage these risks:

• cancellation of a cattle lice control product,
• cancellation of all pest control and home garden products except the fenthion 1% dust product
• variation of the label of the fenthion 1% dust product to remove use in ceilings, wall spaces and crawl spaces and update the safety directions, and
• variation of the label of the horticultural product to remove all uses except post-harvest dipping of tropical and subtropical fruits with inedible peel, and to update safety directions and warnings.

Fenthion is a broad spectrum organophosphorus (OP) insecticide used in horticulture and for veterinary (cattle), domestic and industrial pest control - including pest birds.

The public comments will be closed until 22 August 2014.