[Dichlorvos insect strips indoors: pollution and risk assessment]

Exposure to Danger and Assessing the Hazards: Application of the highly potent pest control agent dichlorvos (DDVP) involves the hazard of effects on the central nervous system and a risk of human cancer. Consumers use dichlorvos in pest strips to protect their rooms from insects. This undifferentiated pest control can lead to chronic exposure. Over several weeks we found an indoor air concentration of dichlorvos between 60 and 1300 micrograms/m3 in 34 m3-experimental-room (chamber). Textiles and foodstuffs in this room were also contaminated. Beside the inhalative intake the oral and dermal intake can also lead to an additional loading of the residents. The ADI-resp. DTA-value of 4 micrograms/kg body-weight and day is exceeded about 10-15 times on the average by inhalative exposure only.