ALBANY - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis Friday announced that the state will be taking action to address the risks posed by total release foggers, also known as "bug bombs," in the wake of a new federal report detailing hazards and injuries related to the product.

DEC will move to classify foggers as a restricted-use product in New York State, meaning that only certified pesticide applicators - rather than the general public - will be able to obtain them. Simultaneously, DEC will explore the need to further limit fogger use and encourage the adoption of better pest management strategies.  

Total release foggers have caused numerous explosions and acute illnesses due to pesticide exposure. According to a report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 123 cases of bug bomb-related illness or injury in New York State (58 in New York City alone) from 2001-06. Information on New York's incidents were part of a larger study published today in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, which illuminated the hazards of total release foggers using data from several states. The most commonly reported acute health effects from bug bombs were respiratory problems and gastrointestinal reactions, such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In editorial comments accompanying the study, the CDC notes that these figures are most likely underestimated.