(West Lafayette, IN) – The Office of Indiana State Chemist (OISC) is warning Hoosiers about an illegal pesticide marketed under the name Sniper DDVP.
This product is imported into the United States illegally and poses serious health risks, and is marketed for the control of bedbugs, cockroaches, rodents and other household pests.
Sniper DDVP contains dichlorvos (DDVP), an organophosphate insecticide that has significant restrictions in the United States due to human health concerns.
Health risks
Exposure to DDVP can result in serious health effects, including excessive sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, extreme fatigue and headaches. Exposure to high concentrations can result in convulsions and coma. Children are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of these products.
What to do if you have the product
Anyone who has Sniper DDVP should stop using it immediately and safely secure it for disposal by placing the bottle in two layers of heavy plastic bags that include an absorbent material such as dirt, sand or kitty litter. When handling this product, wear protective clothing including, at a minimum, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, gloves and a face mask.
Contact a local waste management facility or OISC with questions related to proper disposal. Do not pour the product down a drain, sink, toilet or onto the ground. It is recommended that anyone with the product also contact the local health department for advice on how to clean any areas where Sniper DDVP may have been used.
If someone is exposed to the product, move them to fresh air. Remove any clothing that came in direct contact with the pesticide and rinse skin thoroughly with water for 15-20 minutes. Call 911 or seek immediate medical attention for symptoms of pesticide poisoning.
Additional resources
The United States Environmental Protection Agency has provided the following publications related to illegal DDVP products:
- Alert: Dangerous Pesticides, Notice for the Public on Illegal DDVP Products.
- Alert: Illegal Use of DDVP in Apartment Buildings, Instructions for Building Superintendents and Property Managers.
Reporting illegal pesticides
The Office of Indiana State Chemist encourages Indiana residents who find Sniper DDVP products, or other illegal pesticide products, to report them to OISC. Reports help protect public health and support enforcement efforts against illegal pesticides.
Residents may contact OISC at:
Office of Indiana State Chemist
175 S. University St.
West Lafayette, IN 47907
Phone: (765) 637-6678
pestcompliance@groups.purdue.edu
www.oisc.purdue.edu
