Re: metaldyhyde in the garden

   Date: Tue, 23 Feb 1999 15:12:20 -0500
   From: Colette Tremblay <colette.tremblay@ssp.ulaval.ca>

Thanks for the info.

   here is an URL for a Material Safety data Sheet (MSDS) for methatlehyde
   (it's a synonym for formaldehyde).

Not as far as I can tell.  It's a form of Acetaldehyde though it has very
different effects from Acetaldehyde.  Also, it's spelled metaldehyde which
was very good to find out after getting a bunch of negative results on my
search. 

Here are some pages I found:

http://siri.org/msds/tox/files/q1/q174
	gives lethal dose in a dog as 600 mg/kg

http://MSDS.PDC.CORNELL.EDU/issearch/msdssrch.htm
	A search for metaldehyde gives 9 responses (remember that each
	brand and form of metaldehyde has to have its own MSDS)

A note about MSDS's: they are supplied (by law) by the manufacturers of the
products.  They tend to give the minimum hazards they can.  When I use them
I regard them as saying the least possible toxicity for the product.  You
can find a better picture of the hazards via other sources.

Also beware of "inert" ingrediants, which are often harmless but sometimes
are as toxic or more toxic than the "active" ingrediant.  Manufacters do
not have to disclose inert ingrediants.

Check out http://192.203.127.60/quiz/physiology/toxicologyans.html for a
Toxicology QUIZ <http://192.203.127.60/quiz/physiology/Toxicology.html> by
the School of Veterinary Medicine, Tuskegee University.

I'll just give the correct answers:

66. metaldehyde is a chemical agent used in baits to control slugs and
snails which of the following statements is true:
A. its toxicity is a hazard to horse which may be exposed to it through
accidental access to bran baits used around strawberry fields in moist
climates

67. which of the following best describe metaldehyde toxicosis in the dog:
C. acute onset with hypersalivation, champing, continuous tremors, ataxia,
and loss of equilibrium

>From an article on poisoning in dogs,
<http://www.workingdogs.com/doc0175.htm>:

Metaldehyde (Antimilace, Bug-Geta, Corry's Slug and Snail Death, Halizan,
Metason, Namekil) -- Symptoms include increased salivation, abdominal
cramps, vomiting and generalized tremors or seizures. Some cases exhibit
ataxia, hyperesthesia, hyperthermia and tachcardia. Induce vomiting; give
activated charcoal slurry. Anti- convulsants may be necessary. Intravenous
fluids help to protect the liver, assist detoxification and facilitate
excretion. Acidosis may occur necessitating correction with sodium
bicarbonate.

Also see: http://hammock.ifas.ufl.edu/txt/fairs/15113 for a Florida
Agriculture page on metaldehyde.

Cyndi

_______________________________________________________________________________
Oakland, California            Zone 9 USDA; Zone 16 Sunset Western Garden Guide
Chemically sensitive/disabled - Organic Gardening only by choice and neccessity
_______________________________________________________________________________
"There's nothing wrong with me.  Maybe there's                     Cyndi Norman
something wrong with the universe." (ST:TNG)           cyndi@consultclarity.com
                                                 http://www.consultclarity.com/
_________________ Owner of the Immune Website & Lists http://www.immuneweb.org/
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index