What to know

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The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) is currently reviewing uses of fipronil and imidacloprid (common ingredients in spot-on topical treatments) due to possible human health risks.

For more information, please review the following information from DPR:

• Problem Formulation Document for Fipronil (February 2017)
• Fipronil Human Health Risk Assessment and Mitigation Documents and Activities (periodically updated)
• Notice of Initiation of Human Health Risk Assessment for the Active Ingredient Imidacloprid (March 2018)
• Imidacloprid Human Health Risk Assessment and Mitigation Documents and Activities (periodically updated)

• Hands, clothing, carpets and floors may be exposed to toxic chemicals when applying external pet flea and tick control products

Several scientific studies have examined the transport of active ingredients from pet flea and tick control products (including spot-on treatments, collars, sprays, and foggers) onto human hands, clothing, and indoor surfaces. Washing results in the discharge of these pesticides into the sewer system.^1,2,3,4,5

•  Oral medications may be more effective than topical spot treatments and they reduce the pet owner’s exposure to toxic chemicals

According to some scientific studies ^{6 7}, oral flea and tick medications appear to be a safer and more effective alternative to topical treatments and collars, possibly because they are easier to use as directed. Some oral flea control products also help control ticks and other parasites, such as hookworms, roundworms, and/or heartworms.

Vets are a trusted source for flea and tick control information, and with your help, we can educate Bay Area pet owners about the efficacy of oral medications and the toxicity of pesticides in spot-on treatments.

The photos above are part of a study where researchers incorporated a fluorescent dye into the spot treatment to photograph the spread. Photographs are reprinted from Bigelow Dyk, M., et al. (2012). Fate and distribution of fipronil on companion animals and in their indoor residences following spot-on flea treatments, Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B: Pesticides, Food Contaminants, and Agricultural Wastes, 47(10): 913-924. Reprinted by permission Taylor & Francis LLC.

•  Contrary to manufacturer labels, spot-on products do wash off during bathing.

A study by California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR)⁸ measured the residue of fipronil spot-on products in baths for treated dogs. Fipronil was detected in all samples up to 28 days after application. Further, results from another DPR study indicate that concentrations of pet treatment pesticides are far greater in wastewater from a pet-grooming site versus concentrations measured throughout a sewer collection system. For more information, please review this DPR presentation⁹ or review this peer-reviewed article: Teerlink, J., J Hernandez, R Budd. 2017. Fipronil washoff to municipal wastewater from dogs treated with spot-on products. Sci Total Environ 599-600: 960-966.

•  Flea Treatment Products Are Found In Wastewater Effluent, Sometimes At Concentrations Above Toxicity Thresholds For Aquatic Species.

Because wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove pesticides, some flea and tick products pass through treatment plants and are discharged into San Francisco Bay. Based on data from wastewater treatment plant effluent (discharged water), pesticide concentrations going into the Bay can exceed toxicity thresholds for aquatic invertebrates, and therefore, may compromise water quality and impact compliance with the Clean Water Act.

A study of fipronil and imidacloprid at eight Bay Area municipal sewer systems was recently conducted by the San Francisco Bay Regional Monitoring Program.¹⁰  The study monitored imidacloprid and fipronil, as well as fipronil degradates, in the influent and effluent of eight urban California treatment facilities. Fipronil, its degradates, and imidacloprid were present in the influent sewage and final treated effluent of all eight systems.

• How do these indoor pet flea control uses compare to other uses of these pesticides (such as outdoors and underground for termite control)?

In most of California (except for downtown San Francisco), outdoor urban runoff flows through separate storm drain systems that discharge directly to creeks without any treatment. Consequently, runoff flows can wash residues from outdoor fipronil and imidacloprid applications directly into surface waters.  Monitoring data for both fipronil and imidacloprid in urban runoff and creeks has been compiled and analyzed by DPR.^11,12,13 Northern California urban runoff fipronil concentrations are similar to fipronil concentrations in treated municipal wastewater effluent.^10,11 California urban runoff imidacloprid concentrations are generally lower than imidacloprid concentrations treated California municipal wastewater effluent.^10,12,13 Unlike runoff, which occurs only when it rains, sewage discharges occur continuously. Due to this continuous discharge, indoor pet flea control uses have potential to be a more ecologically significant source of these pesticides than urban runoff.

Work is underway to address fipronil and imidacloprid in urban runoff. DPR has worked with fipronil product manufacturers to implement changes in outdoor application methods and timing that significantly reduce outdoor fipronil use – and allow no use at all during the most rainy months (see this link for more information).  In 2018, DPR completed a detailed scientific assessment of imidacloprid in urban runoff to better understand its sources.¹²

Fipronil is relatively immobile in soils (a reason that it is useful for termite control). Imidacloprid is mobile – because of its mobility, it is not a preferred termite treatment, as it may not stay in place under buildings long enough to provide satisfactory termite control. Available sewage system monitoring data does not suggest that underground injection around buildings for termite control is a significant source of either pesticide to the sewer system.¹⁰