State Investigates Misuse of Pesticide for Bed Bug Control

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Agriculture Agency and Health Department Working to Contact Customers

News Release: July 10, 2013

Contact: Vermont Department of Health 802-863-7281

Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Alison Kosakowski 802-272-4547

The Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets has summarily suspended the license of a pesticide applicator, Cary Buck of AAA Accredited Pest Control of North Clarendon, for misuse of a pesticide in treating a residence for bed bugs.

This action was taken after the Agency discovered that the company had wrongfully applied an organophosphate insecticide called chlorpyrifos to a home in the Rutland area. All indoor uses of this pesticide were cancelled by the U.S. EPA in 2001.

The Health Department is working together with the Agency of Agriculture to individually contact customers of this company who may have had their residence treated with this pesticide in 2012 or 2013, and is offering laboratory testing at no cost to determine if the pesticide is present. The Agency has collected a number of samples already, and will continue to sample in the coming weeks.

According to records obtained from the company, an estimated 50 or more residences may be affected, although the extent to which this pesticide was used in any application by the company, which operated in the greater Rutland region, is not presently known. Test results will indicate the presence of chlorpyrifos and any detected levels will determine the advice given by the Health Department for further action.

The discovery of misuse of chlorpyrifos by an applicator in Vermont is troubling, and we are working quickly to identify any customers who may have been exposed through this companys action, said Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Ross.

We are concerned about possible health effects,said Health Commissioner Harry Chen, MD. This pesticide can persist in the indoor environment, and exposure to high enough levels can affect the central nervous system and can be especially harmful to pregnant women and children. While we dont have any indication at this time that health effects from such exposure caused by this company have been widespread, we do recommend testing the residence of any customer identified so that we can take proper steps in the event we discover chlorpyrifos in the environment.