Recurring and emerging trends in pesticide exposure incidents among pets reported to the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC)

The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) responds to over 24,000 pesticide questions each year, about 13% of which are pesticide exposure incidents. In 2009, approximately 40% of incidents (1,563) were related to a family pet. By analyzing trends in reported incidents, NPIC has identified trends in reported pesticide exposure incidents in the United States. The first example is a decline in reports of exposure to metaldehyde, the primary ingredient in many slug bait products. Metaldehyde incidents have decreased by 61% since 2005. In 2006, the US EPA required additional labeling that highlighted the need to keep pets out of treated areas. The second example is an increase in the number of pet incidents reported for pyrethroid insecticides, which have increased to 323 reports in 2009 from 26 reports in 1995. Based on entries to NPIC's Veterinary Incident Reporting Portal (VIRP), pyriproxyfen was reported in more pet incidents than any other active ingredient. An insect growth regulator, pyriproxyfen is often formulated with pyrethroids that target the nervous system. Adverse neurological effects were reported most often in these incidents. These trends demonstrate the importance of surveillance programs in veterinary public health.