You are here:
Assessment of Decontamination Solution Application Methods for Decontamination of Surfaces Contaminated with Pesticides
Citation:
Oudejans, L., B. Wyrzykowska-Ceradini, E. Morris, AND A. Korff. Assessment of Decontamination Solution Application Methods for Decontamination of Surfaces Contaminated with Pesticides. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-17/394, 2018.
Impact/Purpose:
Pesticide misuse incidents for controlling bed bugs and other insects in indoor environments have increased. Decontamination testing was performed on a nonporous reference building material coated with chemical films of malathion (organophosphorus pesticide) and carbaryl (carbamate pesticide). Contaminated surfaces were cleaned using a commercially available solution (EasyDECON® DF200; active ingredient activated hydrogen peroxide, H2O2) or a concentrated germicidal bleach solution. These incidents include pesticide products not registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for indoor use or approved pesticide products that are improperly applied and/or applied at concentrations that exceed the labeled rates. The bed bug epidemic is expected to result in a growing number of pesticide misuse incidents. State and local agencies and EPA regional offices are often called on to assist local communities in remediating homes and businesses following indoor misapplications where pesticide levels might be unsafe. Currently, there are no standard cleaning procedures to reduce pesticide levels in affected structures. Field decontamination and cleaning practices vary widely, and there is no agreement on cleanup and remediation procedures for the wide range of pesticides and surfaces encountered, especially for indoor misuse or overuse situations.This report discusses the deployment of one-step and multistep cleaning procedures for decontamination of a standard reference material (stainless steel contaminated with common pesticides (malathion and carbaryl). Decontamination Cleanup Procedures (DCPs) tested used low-tech or specialized oxidizing decontaminants (household concentrated germicidal bleach or hydrogen peroxide-based EasyDECON® DF200), applied in various ways, from minimal (spray-on application) to mechanical/physical removal (scrubbing). The goal of this project is to provide field remediation specialists with more information on the effectiveness of various decontamination solutions and related application methods for cleaning indoor surfaces contaminated with pesticides.
Description:
Report