Hazards

Chlorpyrifos was banned by the EPA on June 8, 2000 after many studies showed that it was dangerous to the health of both people and pets. Chlorpyrifos is mainly dangerous to children because their nervous systems and brains are still developing. It is very similar to nerve gas in that it works to attack the central nervous system. What it does is go after the central nervous system of an animal and causes it to fail. This is how it is able to kill the termites, however in a larger size dosage it can also harm people. The safe amount of Chlorpyrifos for humans to come in contact with is one of the things that the EPA and Dow see differently.

Chlorpyrifos is an older known pesticide, which falls into the group of organophosphates. They are typically older and pose more health risks because when they came out they weren't studied as closely as we study pesticides today. The poison control centers in the United States get between six and seven thousand calls a year about poisoning related to Chlorpyrifos.

Symptoms of mild Chlorpyrifos poisoning include headaches, nausea, weakness, and a feeling as though you have a fever. Most of these symptoms are the same as though you had the flu. If you are treated for the flu after mild Chlorpyrifos poisoning you would probably be fine for the time being but next time you came in contact with Chlorpyrifos you might have an even more serious case of poisoning which could result in seizures or even brief moments of unconsciousness. If someone is exposed to Chlorpyrifos over a prolonged period of time unconsciousness and even death can occur. Another one of the dangerous things about Chlorpyrifos is that the symptoms can sometimes be delayed therefore it is not recognized early on as Chlorpyrifos poisoning because it is not like you got your house sprayed today and now you are sick, however that can happen.

On June 8, 2000 the EPA issued a ban on all uses of Dursban, which is the residential form of Chlorpyrifos. Some uses of Lorsban, the agricultural form of Chlorpyrifos, are still allowed however most have been heavily restricted. The restrictions on Lorsban mainly target fruits and vegetables typically eaten by children, such as apples. The ban that the EPA put into effect made it illegal to produce Dursban for home use as of December 31, 2000. Stores and manufactures were allowed to sell out of their remaining stock of Dursban. Some big hardware and garden stores pulled Dursban off of the shelves following the ban, however stores like the Ace Hardware in Raleigh as of April 2001 are still selling what they have left of it.