The continuing tale of Boric Acid….

The continuing tale of Boric Acid….

I was talking to a good customer on the west coast this past week, our shared concern centering on the future use of boric acid based products in pest control.

Still no word from the PMRA, but we found it interesting the decision makers in BC are looking at the exemptions they have had in place and continuing on with this with boric acid.

Someone needs to email me and correct me if I’m wrong, but true pyrethrins (with no PBO), boric acid, and a few other compounds have been exempted in BC in the past from the reporting and use requirements as these are considered non-toxic and safe to use. This is for the BC regs only.

And does this include the ability to purchase and use, without a license?

The PMRA sets the class of each product (Commercial, Domestic etc.) but they don’t really go further than that. As far as licensing to purchase that is handled provincially. More confusion.

SO if the uses of boric acid, say for dusting indoors, are removed by the PMRA federally, and BC exempts the compound from their laws because it’s safe….what message are we getting here?

Isn’t determining whether or not a product can or can’t be used, due to safety factors for the applicator, based on a precise science? It certainly shouldn’t allow for 2 totally divergent beliefs on how safe a product is. But this determination should also include who can use it, and how, and not broad based statements.

But, the ability to use, in my mind, still goes back to what the product has been approved for federally.

“The label is the Law”

I am still hoping the PMRA uses some common sense here in the future of boric acid. I think the industry needs the product with full uses. So let’s look at a commercial registration only…and if we need to beef up the PPE section great. But let’s take some baby steps here.

I still disagree with the ability of provinces to further restrict products and use over the opinions of the federal regulators, but that’s a whole different can of worms.

But in the case of boric acid and use restrictions, who is right on this one?