Fort McMurray Baby’s Death Caused By Pesticide For Bed Bugs

Investigators say the death of a baby and the hospitalization of four other children are linked to high levels of an insecticide found in the family's northern Alberta apartment.

Brad Grainger, deputy chief of operations for the Fort McMurray fire department, said the family brought the insecticide, which is similar to aluminum phosphide pellets used in North America, home from Pakistan, where they were on vacation about 10 days ago.

The pellets, when put into fumigator, emit a phosphine gas, which can be toxic.

"We're not sure how long the family was exposed,'' Grainger said. "The younger that you are, the more susceptible you can be.''

One of the children, an eight-month-old baby, died in hospital and four others were in critical condition Monday. Ages and names were not released.

Grainger didn't say what type of insect the family was trying to kill, but the Edmonton Journal quoted a relative who said it was bed bugs.

Grainger said that type of insecticide is a controlled substance in Canada.

He said an acceptable level of exposure is one part per million over 15 minutes or 0.3 parts per million over eight hours. One room in the apartment had concentrated levels of the insecticide at four parts per million.

"(That's) about four times the average short duration exposure (that's safe),'' he said.

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Fort McMurray Baby's Death Caused By Pesticide For Bed Bugs