P-A-M is not legal in the UK, NY and restricted in Canada and much of the EU (florida too?). Carcinogenic. I would not try to smuggle it into the UK you could cause yourself all kinds of problems. Snake mites live on snakes wood mites live on wood. I had figured you had once got aspen with wood mites... and didn't want a repeat experience. (little RED bugs) I look for sealed bags that are air tight. There is usually no entry for insects then and the wood is almost always at least in Canada and Germany (Can't say anywhere else) kiln dried so that usually means no bugs. Callington Mite Spray is supposed to be very good. Sadly it too cannot be shipped to Canada pressurized can...
Permethrin:
Highly toxic to aquatic organisms, low toxicity to mammals and birds.
Weak carcinogen:
"Additionally, the Agency classified permethrin as “Likely to be Carcinogenic to Humans” by the oral route. This classification was based on two reproducible benign tumor types (lung and liver) in the mouse, equivocal evidence of carcinogenicity in Long- Evans rats, and supporting structural activity relationship information." (So, it didn't cause cancer, it caused benign tumors in rats, when eaten).
Permethrin (of a specific type) is the active ingredient in PAM.
And this is why I use PAM only in my quarantine racks for the first month, and only if I actually see some sign of mites, in the rest of my collection. I do not use it as regular preventative maintenance. It is highly effective, but it is a pesticide, and long-term exposure can't be good.
--Donna Fernstrom
21.58 BPs in collection, 8.3 BP hatchlings, 1.1 super dwarf reticulated pythons, 0.1 Lygodactylus williamsi, 0.1 Lygodactylus angularis, 1.1 Lygodactylus conradti, 0.10 Lepidodactylus lugubris
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Questions...
Why did it become banned and restricted in a multitude of placed including NY state?
Why do 90% of the datum on permethrin all state Human cancer data is unavailable?
Why is it listed as a weight of evidence carcinogen and developmental toxin?
The real killer is the article you listed
"however, the risk estimate for toddlers exposed to permethrin treated indoor surfaces (carpets) were above the Agency’s LOC. The cancer risk estimates for adults exposed to indoor surfaces treated with permethrin from directed surface sprays or total release foggers were also above the Agency’s LOC."
I personally once used a chemical that was 'safe' a widely used solvent and cleaner especially in the graphics industry, I was 16. When I was 19 there was talk and questions arising from the use of this solvent I was 19, indestructible and ignored the questions. By 20 there were bans and restrictions in place in Europe (sound familiar yet?) being indestructible I continued to ignore it. At 22 we had to start to were safety gear to use it. I left that job at this point currently however it is restricted in both Canada and the USA and banned in the EU. I have learned this, I am not, was not, and never have been, indestructible. I have lasting medical issues from the use of this product.
If a single person reads this and thinks hmmm maybe I should spray this out doors and maybe I should use a (29$) respirator just in case, perhaps using P-A-M around kids is a really bad idea. Then that is worth the running argument.
I was told by 'that crazy old man' where I worked to switch to using alcohol and some elbow grease. I wish I had listened then. Use P-A-M just be careful using it when there are questions about a product it is time to take protection.