Before we examine this, I must record that all my comments on products in this or any other article, are my views , in my circumstances of use, and should not be looked on as an endorsement or condemnation of one product or another.
I my travels, I find that there are three products used by Groundsmen
& Greenkeepers to get rid of rabbits ( a 4th, very effective product, is
lead injections at 800 mph!!!!)
They all work on the principal that dampness - water - acting on the
powder or pellet will react and give off a poisonous gas. The rabbits breathe
in this gas and die. If we breathe in this gas it would also kill us - all
three are very toxic. For this reason, all are Part 1 Schedule 1 Poisons
under the Poisons Rules 1982. If you buy these products you must be able
convince the seller that you are competent and detail where you are going to
use it. If the pesticide is stolen, you will have to inform the Police
immediately.
The first part of any RISK ASSESSMENT is to read the label carefully.
MAFF No 6651
Product CYMAG
Manufacturer Zeneca
Use : A poisonous gassing compound for control of rabbits and rats
AI : sodium cyanide 40% w/w
Formulation : Gas generating powder
Mode of Action :Hydrogen cyanide gas is produced when chemical is place on moist earth.
It should be used only in rabbit and rat holes out of door and well away from buildings
Hazard Warning VERY TOXIC in contact with skin, by inhalation or if swallowed
Special Instructions The Poisons Rules 1982 and Poisons Act 1972 apply to this product
DANGEROUS to fish
DANGEROUS to people and livestock
Because of its HIGHLY TOXIC NATURE a special set of precautions applies to this product and must be followed carefully
Use only in the presence of another person aware of the symptoms and first aid treatment for hydrogen cyanide poisoning and provided with amyl nitrite for use in an emergency.
MEL - Maximum Exposure Limits apply to this chemical
MAFF No 1775
Product PHOSTOXIN
Manufacturer Rentokil
Use A hydrogen phosphide generating compound used for killing
moles & rabbits
AI aluminium phosphide 57%
Mode of Action Hydrogen phosphide gas is produced when chemical is in contact with moisture.
Formulation Gas generating tablet
Hazard Warning VERY TOXIC by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
Special Instructions Only open outdoors in a well ventilated place and for immediate use.
Do not use in wet weather.
Wear suitable protective gloves (Synthetic rubber) when handling the product.
Do not use within 10 m of human or animal habitation.
DANGEROUS to fish.
HIGHLY FLAMMABLE.
.
.
MAFF No 6563
Product TALUNEX
Manufacturer Luxan
Use A hydrogen phosphide generating compound used for killing moles & rabbits
AI aluminium phosphide 57%
Mode of Action Hydrogen phosphide gas is produced when chemical is in contact with moisture.
Formulation Gas generating pellet for use with the Luxan Topex Applicator
Hazard Warning VERY TOXIC by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
Special Instructions Only open outdoors in a well ventilated place and for immediate use
Do not use in wet weather
Wear suitable protective gloves (Synthetic rubber) when handling the product
Do not use within 10 m of human or animal habitation
DANGEROUS to fish
HIGHLY FLAMMABLE
Having studied all the labels, you must then draw conclusions on what you have read, how and where it will be used and the competence of the operators available.
| PROS | CONS | |
| CYMAG | Very effective due to fast acting powder formulation | Powder can be difficult to 'spoon' down the rabbit hole without contamination |
| Can be pumped down the rabbit hole for more effect | Second operator required in case of accident - to apply antidote | |
| Operators are exposed at all times during application | ||
| Fast acting powder can give off gas quickly if ground is wet | ||
| PHOSTOXIN | Easily applied to holes | Tablet can be difficult to place down the hole |
| One tablet per hole | Operators are exposed at all times during application | |
| Slow acting - gas give off after hole is stopped | ||
| TALUNEX | Easily applied to rabbit holes | |
| Operator only exposed during attaching pellet cylinder to applicator | ||
| Exact measured dose per hole | ||
| Slow acting - gas give off after hole is stopped | ||
| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
Looking only at the above, it would appear on the face of it that
Talunex should be used - 'risk assessment must take the safer way'.
However, there is built into Risk Assessment, and incidentally the
Environmental Assessments, a concept of REASONABLY PRACTICABLE, which is
basically a cost/ benefit analysis. It could be that only one
application of a more toxic product is as effective as many applications of a
less toxic one, building into the equation exposure times as well as exposure
values. Taken to the extreme, throwing sugar cubes down the rabbit hole is
eminently safe but does not give control of the rabbit!
Evaluation must be made, after taking into account the above advantages
and disadvantages, of the effectiveness of the applications. In the above
example, if CYMAG was always effective but the others were less so, one could
argue that the fact that exposure to Cymag only occurred once, whereas due to
the lack of effectiveness, the others have to be applied several times - total
exposure is thus increased.
TOTAL EXPOSURE=EXPOSURE X LENGTH OF EXPOSURE
There is no obvious black & white solution, you must look at your
own circumstances.
In my circumstances, controlling rabbits round a College, I have no
doubt that though Cymag and Phostoxin are very good, they cannot be used - I am
safer & better using Talunex with the Topex Applicator. Many farmers I know
have done the same exercise but chosen Cymag. Both of us are right - Neither of
us are wrong,.
Work Environment and Effectiveness of product must be a part of RISK ASSESSMENT.
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