It is known generically as Fipronil, and federal law explicitly prohibits it from being applied indoors. But many pest control companies have reportedly been using this broad-spectrum pesticide in blatant violation of the law, applying it to indoor surfaces to eradicate persistent pests like ants that keep coming back even after normal outdoor application. And this is highly problematic, as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists Fipronil as a possible human carcinogen.
"The main thing is that ... they haven't done enough testing for indoor use," says Dan Miles, an exterminator from Indianapolis who is one of a few whistleblowers who tipped off state regulators about the illegal use of Fipronil within the pest control industry. "Especially if you allow children and pets back into a building and that surface is still wet or if they mixed it incorrectly, that material can be absorbed into their skin and that can become a big issue."
According to Miles, Fipronil, which is commonly marketed under the brand name Termidor, is so potent that it has to be heavily diluted with water prior to being applied. He says the chemical already works well outdoors, but many pest control companies have chosen to also quietly use it indoors for even better results, something that the Office of the Indiana State Chemist (OISC) has discovered may be putting thousands of Indianans at risk.
After state regulators began receiving tips from whistleblowers back in early 2012, OISC decided to conduct an investigation that involved swabbing the kitchens of restaurants and the floors of retirement homes, as well as various other surfaces in places like churches, health clinics, hotels and even grocery stores. So far, every single indoor test has come back positive for Fipronil.
When confronted with the shocking tests results, many local business owners and facility administrators expressed shock and dismay. Several of them told reporters that they had no idea that an illegal chemical was being applied indoors and that they simply contracted out their pest control services under the assumption that the exterminators knew what they were doing.
From Natural News
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