Pet Collars May Cause Cancer

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Pesticides used in pet collars and home-use insect sprays could be carcinogenic to human says The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The IARC that evaluates the cancer causing effects of different chemical compounds classified herbicide glyphosate and insecticides diazinon and malathion as probable carcinogens in a report published in the Lancet Oncology journal. Citing the study, NDTV FOOD noted that tetrachlorvinphos and parathion were termed as possible carcinogens as there are convincing evidences from lab tests.

Through a statement which NDTV Food quoted, IARC, an agency based in Lyon, south eastern France, said "It remains the responsibility of individual governments and other international organisations to recommend regulations, legislation or public health intervention," since glyphosate is the largely produced weed-killer in the world. The agency also said that "The general population is exposed (to glyphosate) primarily through residence near sprayed areas, home use and diet, and the level that has been observed is generally low."

Tetrachlorvinphos, which is used in livestock, pet animals and flea collars in the U.S., is reportedly banned in the European Union. The chemical is said to kill ticks and fleas by causing spasmodic over excitation of the nervous system. Tetrachlorvinphos is harmful to dogs and cats in slightly high doses and hazardous to human in extremely high doses. Since fleas and tick collars leave high levels of chemical residue on the pet's fur, they are potential threat to adults and young children who are playing with the pets for long periods of time, according to the Natural Resources Defence Council.

"At lower levels of exposure, TCVP cause a variety of poisoning symptoms, many of which can mimic common illnesses; these include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, wheezing, sweating and tearing eyes. More severe poisoning can cause muscle twitching, drooling, seizures, respiratory paralysis and death," The NDRC warned.

Meanwhile, agricultural workers are at a risk of exposure to Malathion since the chemical is widely used in farming and rare exposure is possible among people consuming the product carrying the compound, said TIME. 

Use of diazinon has decreased largely after production cut down following restrictions laid in 2006 in the U.S. and the EU, NDTV Food noted. The products containing these chemicals wouldn't carry this classification on the labels, according to TIME, but would be used as scientific evidence by the International organisations and governments to create their regulations.