Fenthion Review - frequently asked questions
On this page:
- What is fenthion?
- How does it work?
- What is it used for?
- Why is fenthion being reviewed?
- How was the review conducted?
- What is each part of the review considering?
- Why has the review been split into two parts?
- What is the likely outcome of Part 2 of the review regarding the food crop uses of fenthion?
- Who is responding to the possible impact of the review of fenthion on fruit fly control?
- What did the APVMA find in its review?
- What are we proposing to do about it?
- Why has the APVMA made these recommendations?
- What this will mean for users of fenthion products?
- What is happening overseas?
- How can the public comment?
What is fenthion?
Fenthion is a broad spectrum organophosphorus insecticide.
How does it work?
Fenthion works by systemic action and inhibits the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, interrupting the transmission of nerve impulses in the insect.
What is it used for?
In Australia there are currently 14 registered products containing fenthion. Fenthion is used to kill pest insects in horticultural production, the home garden, around commercial/industrial buildings and domestic/public areas. It is also used in a spot-on formulation to control external parasites on cattle, as well as to control pest non-native birds around commercial and industrial buildings. Fenthion was also registered as a spot-on for the control of fleas on dogs at the commencement of this review.
Why is fenthion being reviewed?
The active constituent fenthion, product registrations containing fenthion and associated label approvals are under review as part of the Australian Pesticides &Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) chemical review program. Fenthion was selected for review because of possible toxicological, occupational health and safety, food safety and environmental concerns.
How was the review conducted?
In undertaking the review the APVMA received information from a number of sources including scientific data submitted by registrants, submissions received from the public, published literature and international reports.
In evaluating the information and preparing the recommendations of the review, the APVMA received advice from the Office of Chemical Safety in the Department of Health and Ageing and the Department of the Environment and Heritage. Advice was also received from state government agencies. Products included in the review have been split into two parts, with finalisation of each part being undertaken separately.
What is each part of the review considering?
Part 1 will address the approval of the active constituent and products that are used in non-food producing situations and Part 2 will address the products used on food-producing plants and animals.
Why has the review been split into two parts?
The review of fenthion has been split into two parts because the assessment of fenthion products used in food-producing situations is still being undertaken. Currently, only the findings for Part 1 are available. A Preliminary Review Findings (PRF) report for Part 2 will be released after the initial assessment of these uses is completed.
What is the likely outcome of Part 2 of the review regarding the food crop uses of fenthion?
Currently, the assessment of fenthion products used in food-producing situations is still being undertaken and further residues data have been received from industry groups. A Preliminary Review Findings (PRF) report for Part 2 will be released after the initial assessment of these uses is completed. This could include recommendations to remove some food crop uses for fenthion.
Who is responding to the possible impact of the review of fenthion on fruit fly control?
The findings of Part 2 of the fenthion review could include recommendations to remove certain uses of fenthion that are currently important in the control of fruit fly, interState and international trade. The Domestic Quarantine and Market Access Working Group (a State and Federal intergovernmental working group) has developed a National Response Plan (external site) to deal with the likely outcomes of both the fenthion and the dimethoate reviews
What did the APVMA find in Part 1 of the review?
The key preliminary findings of the review for Part 1 that have lead to the APVMA’s proposed recommendations were that:
- some product labels do not contain adequate first aid and safety directions or require personal protective equipment to allow safe use; however labels can be updated to contain adequate safety information;
- there is a potential risk to users from the application of fenthion products using high pressure hand held application methods; it is recommended that this application method be removed from labels;
- there is a potential risk to human heath from the use of some more concentrated products in the home garden; it is recommended that products over a certain concentration be removed from use in the home garden;
- there is a risk to the environment from some application methods; these can be mitigated by adding new label instructions;
- The use of bird control products according to the current labels at the time of the review may have unintended impacts on non-target birds.
What are we proposing to do about it?
At this stage the APVMA is assessing the comments on the preliminary findings and proposed actions in the report prior to finalising the review and implementation of the final recommendations.
As part of this finalisation process the APVMA recommended that all the bird control products containing fenthion be declared to be restricted chemical products. Vertebrate control products containing fenthion, alphachloralose or 4-aminopyridine were declared to be restricted chemical products in December 2009. This restricts availability and use of these products to persons authorised by the relevant state authority.Why has the APVMA made these recommendations?
As the national regulator for agricultural and veterinary chemicals the APVMA has made these recommendations to ensure that the continuing use of products containing fenthion in non-food-producing situations do not present an undue risk to public health and safety or to the environment.
What this will mean for users of fenthion products?
The recommended findings of the review Part 1, if implemented, would have the following impacts:
- Home garden – some products currently available for use in the home garden would be no longer available.
- Commercial situations – The use of fenthion products in most commercial situations will be retained. For some products there will be restrictions on the way the chemical is used and supplied. Labels will contain more detailed instructions relating to the use of the products.
What is happening overseas?
- The Unites States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) issued an Interim Reregistration Eligibility Decision (IRED) for fenthion in January 2001. Fenthion was registered in the USA for the control of mosquitoes and dragonfly larvae in contained ornamental fish production ponds (aquaculture). Fenthion was also used to control lice, flies, and ticks on cattle and swine. As a result of the reregistration process, livestock products were voluntarily cancelled. There was also a bird control product, which was cancelled in 1998.
- In the interim decision, the USEPA stated that the current use of fenthion posed unreasonable adverse effects to human health and the environment and should not be registered unless steps were taken to mitigate these risks. The USEPA identified risks to workers who mixed, loaded and/or applied fenthion for mosquito control, livestock and aquaculture applications. In its occupational assessment, the USEPA indicated the lack of exposure data for workers who applied the pesticide to kill mosquitoes and requested mixer/loader/applicator exposure data for all mosquito pesticide applicators.
- In 2003, the European Commission announced that proposed use of fenthion baits in olive and citrus plantations had raised concerns with regard to the possible impact on birds (the very high acute risk to birds and the absence of “data on sublethal effects and other issues”). As a result, products containing fenthion for plant protection did not satisfy the Commission’s requirements that allow sale/use in Commission countries and authorisations for plant protection products were withdrawn by August 2004.
How can the public comment?
The public consultation period for the Fenthion Part 1 Preliminary Review Findings has now closed. Comments regarding the fenthion Part 2 review (food crop and animal uses) will be welcomed upon its release.
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