ADAS sparks row over dusty mite treatment
Comments made by a leading expert on red mite about the potential hazards of using powdered desiccants have been described as “scaremongering” by one supplier.
Speaking at the Defra funded red mite workshops—and reported in last month’s Ranger—ADAS entomologist Barbara Bell warned producers that in her view there were inadequate controls in place for products based on diatomaceous earth because they were classed as ‘natural’ and by-passed the normal pesticides approval system. Ms Bell believes there could be health risks associated with breathing in the very fine powder and even compared it to asbestosis.
But Derek Tittle, whose company markets the product Hemexan, has hit back.
“This is a natural product that is low cost, easy to apply, and has been proven to control red mite,” he told the Ranger.
“From all the sources of information on diatomaceous earth, we cannot locate any record of problems of a respiratory or medical nature associated with its use.”
He also says the product has been used in America for many years to control parasitic organisms affecting livestock and household pets, as well as a grain protector and feed additive.
Meanwhile, Ms Bell, while fully endorsing the use of these products, said she would continue to warn of the potential hazards.
“I’m not saying don’t use them but producers and their staff need to ensure they take adequate precautions, not only when they apply the dust, but during every subsequent visit to the poultry house,” she told the Ranger. “I’ve spent too many hours in grain stores not to know the hazards associated with dust.”
The safety data sheet supplied with Mitex, a product also based on diatomaceous earth, states it is of “low acute toxicity but does contain free silicates” and, it spells out, “long-term exposure to excessive levels of any mineral dust can lead to respiratory problems.”
BFREPA is currently in talks with the Health and Safety Executive to ascertain further the level of risk associated with using these products.
