Can the pest control in your house kill you?

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

The tragic incident has put the spotlight on the dangers of pest control.

Let’s take a look.

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 pest control treatment at their residence in Kundrathur, as per a 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.

As per the police, Giridharan had hired a pest control service to get rid of a rat infestation at his apartment. Representatives from the firm put chemicals in the form of powder and tablets across the house on Wednesday evening.

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“On Wednesday night, the four of them went to sleep in one of the bedrooms where the chemicals were placed. They switched on the AC in the room and went to sleep. Around 3 am on Thursday, Giridharan woke up feeling uneasy and had trouble breathing. He called one of his friends and asked him to take the family to a hospital,” a police officer was quoted as saying by The New Indian Express (TNIE).

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

“There seems to have been an overdose of chemicals, which has caused a toxic effect in the closed air-conditioned room. Children are vulnerable as their lungs aren’t fully developed,” a senior doctor told TOI.

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The police suspect the odour from 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 booked and the investigation is going on, TNIE reported citing 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 several types of pesticides:

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

Rodenticides control mice and other rodents , while fungicides kill fungi, mould and rust.

Dangers of pest control

Pests in households include insects such as flies, cockroaches and mosquitoes, or rodents like rats or mice.

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

It must be noted that all pesticides are toxic. If handled incorrectly and used in large quantities, they can have side effects. The chemicals are often hazardous to human health and affect the environment.

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

If you inhale, touch or swallow rat poison (rodenticide), the symptoms may appear hours or even days after the exposure. As per Verywell Health, those who are subjected to rodenticide poisoning may experience headaches, internal bleeding, pain, chills, bleeding from gums, nose, or skin, convulsions, and seizures.

Someone who has ingested rat poison could suffer damage to their brain and liver, kidney failure, coma, and even death.

How to stay safe

You must be careful while using pesticides yourself. Read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and use the product as directed while taking safety precautions, as per The Better Health Channel.

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

Instead of going for toxic chemicals, you can use other methods to drive away pests like rodents.

There are natural repellants to control 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 house.

Rat traps can be used with food as bait to catch the rodent.

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

Clean your house properly and ensure there is no food or wrappers lying around. Leftover food must be disposed of in a tightly sealed garbage bin.

Ensure that cracks in your walls, windows, roof, and doors are completely sealed.

With inputs from agencies