ALERT: DDVP BROUGHT INTO THE U.S. ON COMMERCIAL AIRLINES

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLIGHT CREWS

SNIPER	NOPEST

Health Risks from
Bringing DDVP onto
an Airplane

DDVP aboard aircraft and at airports
could present a danger to crew,
passengers and U.S. Customs and
Border Patrol (CBP) agents if the
containers leak. Those exposed
might experience perspiration, nau-
sea, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness,
fatigue, headache, and at very high
concentrations, convulsions and
coma.

Background

To be distributed or sold in the Unit-
ed States, most pesticides must be
registered by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency. Subject to certain
exceptions, bringing an unregistered
pesticide into the United States is
illegal (FIFRA § 12(a)(1)(A)). EPA has
seen an increase in unregistered,
illegal pesticides, such as those pic-
tured, being brought into the country
on international flights. Among the
most common are those under the
brand names "Sniper" or "Nopest."

The active ingredient in these prod-
ucts is dichlorvos (2,2-dichlorovinyl
dimethyl phosphate), also known as

DDVP, an organophosphate pes-
ticide. It is being brought into the
country illegally for distribution or
personal use against pests such as
bedbugs, cockroaches and rodents.
EPA has restricted the use of DDVP
and other organophosphates in the
United States because of the dan-
gers they present to human health.
DDVP is generally a colorless or
amber-colored liquid.

DDVP products in containers like
those pictured are not registered
with EPA and selling or distributing
them is against the law. Always
look for an EPA registration num-
ber on the label of any pesticide
product you buy or use, and always
buy pesticides at a reputable store.

What to Do in Case
of Exposure

If there is a leak of DDVP from a
bottle aboard an airplane, the crew
should immediately contain the
leaking material. A crew member
should wrap the leaking bottle in a
blanket and place it in an airtight
container.

After the leaking bottle is wrapped
and stowed, the crew should notify
the cockpit of the situation and
attend to any exposed passengers.
Remove any contaminated clothing
and flush exposed skin with plenty
of water for up to 15-20 minutes.

Proper Follow-Up

Air traffic control should notify airport law enforcement and
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents, who can
confiscate the product and detain the person transporting
it until they have full identifyingand contact information.
CBP should then contact the relevant EPA regional office
or the state lead agency for pesticides to inform them of
the incident. Once CBP agents have confiscated them, the
containers should be treated as dangerous even if there are
no obvious signs of leakage.

When handling these containers or any spilled material, it is
safest to wear the following PPE:

•	Protective eye wear (goggles or face shield);

•	Long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes and socks;

•	Chemical-resistant gloves and headgear; and

• A NIOSH-approved respirator with either:

oAn organic vapor-removing cartridge with a pre-

filter approved for pesticides,
o A canister approved for pesticides, or
o An organic vapor-removing cartridge with a
prefi Iter.

If full PPE is not available, wear at least a face mask, gloves
and clothing that covers you as much as possible.

The crew should put the DDVP containers in a receptacle
until the containers can be disposed. Containers can be
incinerated, but they should be disposed of in accordance
with state and local requirements. If necessary, contact
the local waste management facility to determine where to
dispose of this hazardous material.

Please contact EPA if you need further assistance at: pesticidequestionsQepa gov

S-EPA

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