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 ------- |