Health Canada warns about unregistered insecticides in the marketplace

Issue

Health Canada is warning people that unregistered dichlorvos insecticides such as "Sniper 1000 EC DDVP", "Lava 100% EC" and "NOPEST" are not authorized in Canada. These products contain dichlorvos, also known as DDVP, at levels that pose a significant risk to human health. Anyone who sees these products advertised on social media should be aware that they are not authorized by Health Canada and should not be purchased or used. Symptoms of exposure to the chemical in these products may include, but are not limited to: sweating, nausea, dizziness and headache, which may progress to weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors and more. Serious symptoms such as convulsions or loss of consciousness are also possible. It is prohibited under the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA) to possess, import, sell or use unauthorized insecticides in Canada.

What you should do

• Do not purchase, import, sell or use these products.
• If you are in possession of one of these products, safely dispose of it in accordance with your provincial and/or municipal guidelines for the disposal of hazardous waste.
• Only purchase insecticides that have been registered by Health Canada with a PCPA registration number identified on the product label. This code has up to five digits, for example: Registration No. 12345 Pest Control Products Act. To know if a product is registered, visit the Pesticide Product Information Database. Read and follow all directions on the product label.
• You are encouraged to report any non-compliant products, including unregistered dichlorvos insecticides, found in the Canadian marketplace to Health Canada by contacting the Pesticide Compliance Program (pcp-pcp@hc-sc.gc.ca).
• If you're suffering from a side effect or injury which you think may be related to this product, contact your doctor or provincial poison control centre.