Australia completed review of dichlorvos

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has completed its review of the active constituent Dichlorvos and all products containing Dichlorvos and their associated approved labels.

Dichlorvos is an organophosphorus insecticide first synthesised in the late 1940s, having been first described as an impurity of the organophosphorus insecticide trichlorfon. Commercial production of Dichlorvos began in 1961. Insects are killed by interference with an enzyme (cholinesterase) in the nervous system, resulting in muscle paralysis.

Dichlorvos is commonly used in Australia against a large variety of insects that infest domestic, public and commercial buildings, recreational areas, abattoirs, wineries (non-food producing areas), animal houses, mushroom growing facilities, glasshouses, greenhouses and food storage areas. The major use of Dichlorvos is as a disinfestant fumigant or spray for stored grain and for grain handling equipment. There is one veterinary use as an oral paste for the treatment of worms and Bot fly larvae in horses. Other formulations include slow-release strips (e.g. pest-strips), sprays and fumigants. The field use of Dichlorvos is limited to the control of leaf roller on avocados.

The APVMA decided to review Dichlorvos because of specific concerns about its high acute toxicity and its carcinogenic potential. The review began in December 1996. In June 2000 the APVMA released a Dichlorvos draft review report (now called the Preliminary Review Findings (PRF) report) for public consultation. A large amount of additional toxicological data became available following the initial PRF and a subsequent PRF was released in June 2008.

Final Review Report and Regulatory Decision (PDF)

This document, the reconsideration of the active constituent Dichlorvos, registrations of products containing Dichlorvos and approvals of their associated labels, summarises the revised assessments and the regulatory outcomes of the Dichlorvos review. All public comments received since the release of the PRF report have been considered in the preparation of this report.