Cygon 2E hazards

Being an occupational health and safety professional, I could no longer
stand by and see my friends on the IRIS-L wondering about the hazardous
effects of Cygon 2E insecticide.  So, I went searching for the
Manufacturer's Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) hoping to find some
definitive information on the hazardous properties of this chemical.  I
found the MSDS at this web address (for those of you who are interested):  

http://206.30.174.153/msds/hfile/zq1089/zq44015.html

Compared to the MSDS's of other chemicals this doesn't appear to be such a
nasty.  However, I get concerned when I see an MSDS with limited information
such as this.  Unfortunately, for the vast majority of chemicals there is
little health effect information and the American public and American
workers (or third world country citizens) are the willing guinea pigs for
providing the statistics needed.

I have never seen a bottle of Cygon 2E, but I highly recommend following the
procedures for protection that may be printed on the bottle!  Also please be
aware that a dust mask is not the same as a NIOSH approved respirator. (they
can look identical in almost every way).  A NIOSH approved respirator will
have a code number printed on the mask that begins with the letters "TC"
followed by a number.

Example of what can happen with pesticides:  Recently, approx. one month
ago, a 40-year old church friend of my parents sprayed his premises with who
knows what for ticks and fleas.  Two weeks later he was dead from poisoning.
He did not wear a respirator as instructed by the pesticide bottle.  The
doctors suspected that he had an allergic reaction to the pesticide, as well
as receiving a good respiratory dose.  This just demonstrates that
individuals can have sensitivities to chemicals which put them more at risk
that what the manufacturer of a chemical might indicate for the general
public, albeit rare.  I for one have no desire to find out if I'm a rarity.

If anyone wants anymore health on safety information on these various
pesticides that are mentioned on the IRIS-L I will be happy to work with you
to obtain specific information.

Safety lesson over.

-Donald




Donald Mosser
dmosser@southconn.com
North Augusta, SC, USA
Zone 7b-8
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