Is Bed Bug Insecticide Safe? CDC Reports on Illnesses, Death
More than one hundred people in the United States have become ill and one has died in recent years by misusing insecticide to kill bed bugs, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC found a total of 111 illnesses associated with misuse bed bug insecticide from 2003 to 2010 in seven states. New York City had the largest percentage of cases with 58 percent.
"Although the number of acute illnesses from insecticides used to control bed bugs does not suggest a large public health burden, increases in bed bug populations that are resistant to commonly available insecticides might result in increased misuse of pesticides," the CDC said on its Morbidity and Mortality weekly report.
In most of the cases people applied insecticide excessively, failed to wash or change pesticide treated bedding and inadequately notified others about pesticide application, according to the CDC.
A 65-year-old woman from North Carolina with a history of health problems died last year.
U.S. authorities have recommended media campaigns to educate the public about bed bug-related issues, including nonchemical methods to control bed bugs, methods to prevent bed bug infestation and prudent use of effective insecticides.
Authorities also suggest that people who have a bed bug infestation seek the services of a certified applicator and if applying the insecticide themselves, follow product safety instructions.