Avitrol Banned In New York City

Avitrol is toxic to birds, mammals, fish and people. The pesticide has been reported to cause severe poisoning and death in people through accidental ingestion and skin exposure.

 

Subject:   Avitrol Banned In New York City ---
Date:       Tue, 29 Aug 2000 09:29:29 -0400
From:        Stephen Tvedten <steve@getipm.com>
Organization:     Get Set Inc. (www.getipm.com)

To:     Paul Helliker <phelliker@cdpr.ca.gov>
          Director, State of California, Department of Pesticide Regulation 

Dear Mr. Helliker,  I thought you might like to read an article entitled: AVITROL BANNED IN NEW YORK CITY.

NEW YORK, New York, August 28, 2000 (ENS) - New York Governor George Pataki has signed a bill banning the use of Avitrol, a poison targeted at pigeons, in New York City. Avitrol has also been responsible for the deaths of other animals, including red tailed hawks, that feed on pigeons in the city. "We thank Governor Pataki  for signing this bill," said Wayne Pacelle, senior vice president for government affairs and communications at the Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS). "It removes a product from the environment that puts both animals and people at grave risk for illness and death. We hope New York will take the next step and pursue humane, non-lethal methods of pigeon control."

While public health is commonly touted as the reason for controlling pigeon populations in cities, HSUS says there have been no documented cases of disease in people caused by wild or free ranging pigeons. By contrast, Avitrol is toxic to birds, mammals, fish and people. The pesticide has been reported to cause severe poisoning and death in people through accidental ingestion and skin exposure. Avitrol persists in the environment and can remain in the soil for up to three years. "Governor Pataki has wisely reviewed the scientific facts that Avitrol and similar avicides are truly ineffective in controlling bird populations," said Dr. Patrice Klein, HSUS wildlife veterinarian. "His decision to authorize the ban will prevent the needless death of many birds, especially non-target and endangered species." HSUS encourages the use of non-lethal methods to discourage pigeons from roosting in public areas, including scare devices and wire netting.

Well Mr. Helliker, Another of your "registered" POISONS is on its way out.  Birds are easy to control with safe and far more effective alternatives - when will these unregistered alternatives be "legal" to use professionally in California?

REQUEST:

Subject:  Avitrol
Date:  Mon, 17 Sep 2001 15:15:04 -0400
From:  KHarker <kharker@sympatico.ca>
Organization:  or kharker@flemingc.on.ca

I am interested in talking to others who might be concerned and interested in the use of the avicide, 4-aminopyridine (Avitrol). I am specifically looking for protocols on how to collect water and/or tissue samples in the field for chemical contamination analysis. In my area, Avitrol is suspected of causing illness in endangered birds of prey. I can be reached at kharker@sympatico.ca
I would really appreciate ANY help that might be out there on this topic...

KHarker

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