Hazards of Bug Bombs
Problems to avoid!
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The three most common problems leading to illness
and injury are:
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Overuse
If you decide to use a fogger, follow the instructions on the label
exactly.
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Labels can be confusing!
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Most say do
not to use more than one
fogger per room;
however
many foggers treat much
more area than the average bedroom.
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You could easily be applying ten times more than needed if you
put a fogger in an average bedroom.
Be smart and safe! Estimate size of the area you want
to treat, and then buy only what you need.
How much fogger do I need?
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Many popular foggers are sold in 3-packs with each can treating
5000 or 7000 cubic feet. If you have a small area to treat
or an apartment, look on the store shelf for cans that treat
smaller sized rooms.
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Most bedrooms are less than 1000 cubic feet.
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Read the front label to see how much area one can treats.
(example: "One 2.1.oz. can treats up to
7000 cubic feet")
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There are many types of foggers and they all treat different
sized areas so
read the label
before buying.
Case Example
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A 19 year old set off four foggers in her two bedroom apartment,
when one can would have been enough. She returned four to
six hours later to air out the apartment. She became ill
with dizziness, nausea and vomiting. The next morning, her
face was numb after sleeping on a pillow that was left out
during the fogging. Prolonged skin contact with
ingredients in some foggers can cause burning and numbness on
skin.
Early re-entry or
lack of ventilation
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Once the fogger is activated, you must close all doors and
windows and leave the treated area
completely.
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Most labels require you to be out for four hours. After the four
hour time period open doors and windows and air out the treated
area before returning.
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If you have asthma or other breathing condition, you should
strongly consider alternatives to sprays and foggers. At the
very least, let someone else activate the fogger and vent the
rooms after four hours. If there is a strong smell when you
re-enter, allow the space to air out longer before returning.
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Leave a note on the door that the home
is being fogged. This will alert roommates and
others not to enter. It will also alert the fire department in
case the fog triggers the fire alarm.
Case Example
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12 to15 bug bombs were activated in a single home (excessive use
) and the occupants left as directed. The fog triggered
the house fire alarm and fire department responded. When
no one answered the door, they entered through an unlatched
window to check for fire. As soon as they discovered the
cans of fogger they exited. One fire fighter was
over-exposed to fogger fumes in the process.
Unsafe Storage - Keep Out of Reach of
Children
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There are no child proof features on fogger cans.
If a toddler can reach the fogger they can easily activate it.
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Once a fogger is activated, the canister fogs until it is empty.
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There is no way to turn the fogger off.
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Store foggers in a high location - locked.
Case Examples
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Can of
fogger was left out in a family apartment. Four year old activated it
exposing herself, her mother, and her six year old sister with Asthma.
They developed coughing and shortness of breath. They were transported
by 911 to the Emergency Room where they recovered.
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A family was in the
processing of moving. Their four year old daughter found a can of
fogger in the bathroom and sprayed it on her arms and face thinking it was
perfume. She was discovered and taken outside for fresh air. She
had a skin, eye, and nose irritation, coughing and vomited once outside.
She was taken to the Emergency Room. The following day the skin on her
arms and around her mouth was chapped and cracked.
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