Toxicology Investigation into Binkill Garbage Bin Fumigation Product for Waste and Community Protection Division, Penrith Council. Parts 1 and 2

In March 2010 the University of Western Sydney was requested by Penrith City Council to carry out a toxicological assessment of the potential use by residents of Penrith Council area of a commercial pesticide product, Binkill, with potential for exposure to residents, their families and pets. The product was to be used as recommended by the manufacturer by residents as a slow release fly killer contained in a capsule to be placed by householders in bulk collection bins for green and kitchen waste, with the intention of controlling flies and their immature forms during storage, pending collection as part of a municipal composting operation. Part 1 of this toxicology report concerns a critical review of the research literature relating to dichlorvos and naphthalene as the main active ingredients. This review was not to be merely a summary of findings in relevant literature, but an evaluation of those findings with relevance to the safe use of the product in the intended household setting, with exposition of any problems which might be envisaged from a toxicological perspective. Part 2 of the report is an original health risk assessment based on the use of Binkill itself in terms of the device which is used to contain the active ingredients, labelling of the product packaging and device, risk to Penrith Council staff or public in terms of storage, handling use and disposal of the product, and potetial local threats to the environment as a consequence of using the product. In this section potential hazards were identified, risks characterised and a framework established for their prioritisation. Information gathered in terms of this scientific research was required to inform Council to enable them to take proactive measures for managing risk, and to enable them to move forward with the current widely-supported recycling program, with regard to duty of care towards Penrith City residents, visitors, staff, and others. Some initial conclusions of the investigation were that dichlorvos was a good pesticide of choice for the intended application in terms of its relatively low health risk, effectiveness in killing adult flies and immature forms of the family Muscidae, ability to dissipate rapidly, and ease of availability and use. Problems with which Council should be concerned in terms of the intended, Council-sanctioned use were identified and described with recommendations for Council action. The main problems included labelling inadequacies, visible chips of pesticide material outside the capsule in the surrounding plastic wrapping, and inadequate child-proof nature of the packaging. A number of other items with acceptably low risk were identified for the information and general consideration of Council and the manufacturer. In addition to the specific safety recommendations mentioned above, suggestions for educational material for residents, and a controlled system for distribution of the product at residential level, were made.