Although it is effective against the pest, it is very dangerous for humans. However, seizures of “Sniper 1,000” have been increasing since the start of the year in France. To the point that customs and fraud repression (DGCCRF) are worried.
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Customs officers found the insecticide “Sniper 1000” in the luggage of travelers at Roissy airport, on the arrival of freight planes or even in postal packages in Wissous in Essonne. Fraud department agents intercepted hundreds of bottles, sold for around 20 euros each, in markets, bazaars, e-commerce platforms and even through online classified ads.
“Île-de-France is particularly concerned. We are talking about 3 000 vials, which obviously represents significant quantities”, underlines François Sobry, spokesperson for the DGCCRF.
“A single bottle can be very dangerous. It is illegal, because it contained a very toxic and even deadly substance.”
François Sobry, spokesperson for the DGCCRFat franceinfo
“Dichlorvos is a toxic substance by inhalation, ingestion or simple contact with the skin, specifies François Sobry. This is why consumers who might see this product in an illegal business are strongly advised to stay away from it. One bottle can kill. This product is classified as fatal.
Since 2018 and the return of bedbugs in France, seizures have continued to increase but also poisonings with more than a hundred cases reported including three deaths, despite the ban on the product since 2013. The insecticide is susceptible cause respiratory, ocular symptoms and neurological disorders. In a toxicovigilance report published last December, 79.5% of people exposed to the product presented mainly respiratory symptoms, cough or irritation of the upper airways but also vomiting, epigastric pain, neurological signs such as headache, dizziness, coma and finally, cardiovascular signs such as palpitations.