Banned pesticides: Poison on sale in Nigerian markets (1)

In this report, CHIJIOKE IREMEKA reports that despite Nigeria’s restrictions on certain agrochemicals, some of the products remain available in open markets and are sold to households for indoor pest control

In Ibusa, Delta State, 31-year-old Patience Okorie and her five-month-old baby experienced health problems after she used an insecticide known as DD Force to fumigate her home against mosquitoes, cockroaches and other household pests.

Okorie said she and her baby subsequently experienced respiratory symptoms and were diagnosed with acute toxicity at a general hospital.

Their experience highlights the potential health risks associated with the misuse of agricultural chemicals, particularly when products intended for crop protection are used in residential environments.

Insecticides, often relied upon for pest control, can pose serious health risks when used improperly or without observing the necessary safety precautions.

According to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, the sale of small-volume dichlorvos formulations (100ml or less), sold under brands such as Sniper and DD Force, among others, has been prohibited since 2019.

The sale of larger volumes is subject to restrictions, including distribution through accredited agrochemical outlets.

“NAFDAC bans the importation and manufacture of 100ml pack size of Agricultural formulations of Dichlorvos with immediate effect. NAFDAC bans, with immediate effect, the hawking of all agrochemical formulations.

“NAFDAC is giving a two-month (up to 31st August 2019) notice to brand owners/distributors to recall and withdraw their products from open markets and supermarkets that do not have garden corner/shelves to the agro dealer outlets.

“The sales of Sniper insecticide and other Dichlorvos brands in open markets and supermarkets nationwide are prohibited with effect from 1st September 2019. NAFDAC is giving a six-month moratorium up to 1st January 2020 for brand owners to exhaust the products that are in various accredited agro-input dealers (distributors/marketers/retailers),” the agency stated.

Banned but still in circulation

Chemicals subject to bans include Aldrin Insecticide, Binapacryl, Captafol, Chlordane, Chlordimeform, DDT Insecticide, Dieldrin, Dinoseb and Dinoseb Salts, Heptachlor Herbicide, Lindane, Ethylene Dichloride, Parathion, Methyl Parathion, Phosphamidon and Monocrotophos.

Others are Methamidophos, Chlorobenzilate, Toxaphene, Pentachlorophenol Herbicide, Ethylene Oxide Fumigant, HCF (Mixed Isomers), EDB (1,2-Dibromoethene), 2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxy Acetic Acid, Endrin, Mirex, Ethylene Dibromide, Hexachlorobenzene, Endosulphan Acaricide, Delta HCH Agricultural and Fluoroacetamide.

An investigation by Saturday PUNCH found that some products containing dichlorvos, including brands such as NOPEST, DD Force and Sniper, were still being sold in open markets, food markets and provision stalls.

READ THE FULL STORY IN THE PUNCH