Can Pest Control in Your Home Kill You? – First message

Two children in Tamil Nadu’s Chennai died at their home on Wednesday evening (November 13) after inhaling toxic fumes from rodenticide used by a pest control service. Their parents are being treated at a private hospital after inhaling the pesticide.

The tragic incident has highlighted the dangers of pest control.

Let’s see.

What happened?

A six-year-old girl and her one-year-old brother died after inhaling rodenticide, the fumes of which spread to their room after a pest control treatment at their home in Kundrathur. Times of India (TOI) report.

Bank employee Giridharan, 34, and his 31-year-old wife Pavithra are admitted to a private hospital in Porur and are likely to recover.

According to police, Giridharan had hired a pest control service to get rid of a rat infestation in his apartment. Representatives of the company distributed chemicals in the form of powder and tablets throughout the house on Wednesday evening.

“On Wednesday evening, the four of them went to sleep in one of the bedrooms where the chemicals were located. They turned on the air conditioning in the room and went to sleep. Around 3 a.m. on Thursday, Giridharan woke up feeling uncomfortable and having trouble breathing. He called one of his friends and asked him to take the family to a hospital,” a police officer said The New Indian Express (TNIE).

The family was admitted to a hospital nearby. However, the children died without responding to treatment. The couple is stable.

“There appears to have been an overdose of chemicals, which caused a toxic effect in the enclosed air-conditioned room. Children are vulnerable as their lungs are not fully developed,” said a senior doctor TOI.

Police suspect the odor of the chemicals was not strong when the family went to sleep, but developed during the night.

Two employees of the pest control company have been arrested and the investigation is ongoing. TNIE reported with reference to the police.

Pesticides and their types

A
pesticide is a chemical designed to kill, prevent, or repel pests, such as rodents, insects, or plants.

There are different types of pesticides:

Insecticides are used to target insects and other arthropods. Herbicides kill weeds and other unwanted plants.

Rodenticides control mice and others
rodentswhile fungicides kill mold, fungus and rust.

Dangers of Pest Control

Household pests include insects such as flies, cockroaches and mosquitoes, or rodents such as rats or mice.

To get rid of these pests, one can opt for household pesticides or hire a pest control service.

It should be noted that all pesticides are poisonous. If mishandled and used in large quantities, they can have side effects. The chemicals are often dangerous to human health and impact the environment.

Some pesticides, such as surface sprays or termite treatments, can linger in the environment for quite some time.

When you inhale, touch or swallow
rat poison (rodenticide), symptoms may occur hours or even days after exposure. According to Very good healthThose exposed to rodenticide poisoning may experience headaches, internal bleeding, pain, chills, bleeding from the gums, nose or skin, convulsions and seizures.

A person who has ingested rat poison may suffer brain and liver damage, kidney failure, coma and even death.

How to stay safe

You should be careful when using pesticides yourself. Read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and use the product as directed, while observing the safety precautions indicated in The better health channel.

Store the pesticide in the original container and out of the reach of children. Do not mix pesticides as this can increase toxicity. It is also necessary to wash your hands with soap and water after using the item.

Instead of using toxic chemicals, you can use other methods to get rid of pests like rodents.

There are natural insect repellents to combat pests. Rats do not like the smell of peppermint oil, which can be placed near their nesting area. Vinegar is also a temporary solution to keep rats out of your home.

Rat traps can be baited with food to catch the rodent.

There are also ways to prevent rodents from entering your home.

Clean your house thoroughly and make sure there are no food items or wrappings lying around. Leftover food should be disposed of in a tightly closed waste bin.

Make sure cracks in your walls, windows, roof and doors are completely sealed.

With input from authorities