WRC - Land Management - 1080 Poison.htm
Subject: WRC - Land Management - 1080 Poison.htm
Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2002 03:34:12 -0500
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
cc: Christine Whitman whitman.christine@epa.gov
Dear Mr. Helliker, I always find it interesting to watch "regulatory" people ignore the facts: In 1972 the E.P.A. (Environmental Protection Association, USA) found 1080 to be among the most toxic chemicals known to man. There is no known antidote. The chemical has been banned for over 20 years in the USA and in most other Western countries in the world. The acute effects of 1080 poisoning are: in severe cases atrophy of the brain and intense cerebral damage, and just a whiff causes convulsions accompanied by intense pain for days. In spite of this knowledge, New Zealand "regulators" wrote the following:
1080 Poison (Sodium Monofluoroacetate)
Within the pest management industry, 1080 Poison is considered the most effective tool which is currently available. While the use of 1080 has been reduced with the introduction of alternative methods, it remains an important part of the Wellington Regional Council’s possum control operations.
Used in New Zealand since the 1950s, it is a naturally occurring chemical (sodium monofluoroacetate) that can also be manufactured synthetically. As toxins go, 1080 is remarkably safe. It is water soluble, so any poison in uneaten baits is leached into the soil by rain. In soil and water, 1080 is broken down by micro-organisms into non-toxic (harmless) substances.
Danger To Humans
While 1080 baits are less dangerous than most other poison baits used in possum control operations, children should be kept away from all poisoned areas. Consuming four 1080 baits could seriously endanger the life of a child weighing 15kg. There is always a hazard if children have access to poisons. All 1080 baits are coloured green to make them easily identifiable. During each operation, Wellington Regional Council officers visit local schools to explain the dangers and precautions associated with control operations.
Effects on Drinking Water
No hazard exists to humans drinking water from 1080 poison treated areas. Even if substantial amounts of 1080 baits were accidentally dropped into a public water reservoir, the risk to humans through direct consumption would be negligible. Even so, extra precautions are followed:
No hand laid baits will be laid within 20m of water supply intakes. No aerial baits will be laid within 50m of identifiable streams used for public or private water supply.
Research and Monitoring
Research has shown that 1080 biodegrades in stream water. The rate at which this occurs depends on the amount of biological material in the stream and its temperature. For example, 1080 added to an aquarium containing stream water and plants, at 6 deg Celsius, was degraded into harmless by-products in four days. Similarly, research has shown that 1080 is broken down in soils by micro-organisms. More than 120 water samples have been taken following aerial operations within the Wellington Region. To date no trace of 1080 has been detected in any sample.
How dangerous is 1080 Poison?
Lets assume that an accidental 1080 bait spill occurred into a farm pond at a rate 1000 times higher than the normal aerial application of 3kg per hectare. That is 30kg of bait is spilt into a 100sq m pond, with an average depth is 1m. After the poison is mixed into the pond water, any child or adult would have to drink more than five times their own bodyweight in one sitting to receive a fatal dose.
Danger To Dogs
Dogs are ten times more susceptible than possums - our advice is not to take dogs into any area treated with 1080 poison. That means a dog weighing 20kg will be poisoned by the same amount of 1080 as a possum weighing 2kg. The extreme sensitivity of dogs to this poison means that they need to be protected. Where 1080 poison has been laid, the Council recommends that you avoid this area until the risk to dogs is low. Otherwise:
keep dogs under strict control keep dogs tied up when they are not working keep dogs well fed, preferably with meat use a muzzle on dogs in or near a poisoned area
The danger to dogs from 1080 poison is twofold. Dogs will be poisoned if they eat a toxic bait or they may die from secondary poisoning if a dog eats a poisoned carcass. Because 1080 is a slow-acting poison, poisoned animals may travel outside the treatment area before they die. The greatest danger exists from the gut and intestines of rabbits or possums which have been pulled from the carcass by hawks or other predators. This material can be extremely toxic and is usually eaten very quickly by a dog. The carcasses of rabbits and possums poisoned by 1080 pose a danger to dogs until the fleshy parts have completely broken down. In winter, full decomposition may not occur for three months. There is no danger of secondary poisoning from the fur, skin or bones. You should not take pet dogs into any area (private or public) which has been treated with 1080 poison. Dogs can and have eaten 1080 baits or carcasses while restrained on a leash. Cats are also at risk from secondary poisoning, although not to the same degree because cats do not usually eat dead animals.
Muzzles
Dogs should be muzzled as long as poisoned carcasses are still accessible. Suitable muzzles are available for purchase from farm supply agencies, veterinary clinics or the WRC. Allow time for the dog to get used to the muzzle before the poisoning operation starts. It is essential that the muzzle is comfortable and secure. The Wellington Regional Council (Masterton Office) has a range of muzzles which come in eight sizes and range in price from $17 to $25. These muzzles are suitable for all dogs.
Emetic (Vomit Inducing)
Dogs suspected of having eaten 1080 should be given an emetic immediately. Allow 10 minutes for the dog to vomit after administering the emetic. A knob of washing soda (sodium carbonate) about 1cm in diameter is a suitable emetic. Further doses may be given safely if the first dose is not effective. If not successful at first, then try again. A repeat dose will not be harmful. Sodium carbonate is not an antidote. The Wellington Regional Council's Biosecurity Department will supply sodium carbonate emetic on request. Care must be taken with the vomit from a poisoned dog as this is also potentially lethal. Do not leave a dog alone or where the vomit can be eaten by another dog. Any vomit material should be buried.
Treatment
There is no guaranteed antidote for 1080 poison. However, in many cases a dog's life may be saved with glycerol mono acetate or acetamide glucose. These must be administered by a veterinary surgeon as the dog will need to be tranquillised and the drug administered intravenously. Success will depend on the time-lapse between poisoning and treatment. Get your dog to a vet as soon as possible. In all cases of suspected poisoning, the Regional Council recommends that dogs be taken to a veterinary surgeon immediately. In most cases if the nearest veterinary clinic is not open they will be able to supply an alternative agent.
Do not rely on the treatment. Prevention is the only sure way of protecting dogs from poisoning. Local veterinary clinics will have been informed of all WRC 1080 operations.
Livestock Exposure To Baits
If livestock become exposed to any poison, including 1080 or anticoagulant baits, and the animals are intended for slaughter, contact should be made with the MAF veterinarian at the processing plant. Farmers should be aware that it is an offence under the Meat (Residues) Regulations to submit animals for slaughter that contain chemical residues above prescribed limits, and in the case of poisons any detectable residue is unacceptable.
Research shows that 1080 residues are excreted within four days in live animals. If dairy cattle become exposed to 1080 baits they should have a milk withholding period of 10 days. The dairy supply company must be notified immediately. If deaths occur within a flock or herd (sheep/cattle), the withholding period for the entire flock or herd should be 10 days.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has advised that under the Meat (Residues) Regulations and the Game Regulations, feral animals intended for sale to a game packhouse cannot be hunted in areas where poisons have been laid for periods of between two and six months depending on the poison. In the case of 1080, a period of four months, or two months and 100mm of rain must elapse before the land is suitable for hunting.This policy should also apply for feral animals intended for personal consumption. In both cases, game should not be taken within 2km from poisoning operations.
If livestock become exposed to anticoagulant baits (Pestoff or Talon), consideration must be given to not sending these animals to slaughter. Research has shown that anticoagulant toxins persist in the body for many months, if not years. If you wish to send these livestock for slaughter you should first contact the MAF veterinarian at the processing plant.
Ingredients Of 1080 Baits
Each bait contains:
Artificial flavouring (lure) V200A food grade green dye Paste or Pellet baits contain mould inhibitor (Sorbistat k in paste, Nipagin M in pellets) 0.15% 1080 (sodium monofluoroacetate)
Bait available
paste - made from apple pulp pellets - made from cereals carrot cubes apple cubes
For More Information
If you have any questions, or need some personal advice about pest animals, please contact the Wellington Regional Council's Biosecurity staff on 06-378-2484 (Masterton) or 04-526-5327 (Upper Hutt).
Mark Twain once noted: "If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything."
Respectfully, Stephen L. Tvedten
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