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                                                         -d- phenothrin - 0.05% w/w
                                                                      Total   - 0.14 %            
Perawis Lengai ( inert ingredient )          -                 99.96% w/w
 
Now see this properly. Although the pesticide contains only 0.14 % of active ingredient it nevertheless contain significantly more inert ingredients i.e 99.96 % of the total contents. This inert ingredient is not at all identified.
All inert ingredients are not at all identified in Malaysia. We are NEVER told what the inerts are made of. This is the case with all pesticides. So, what are inerts and why are they not identified in the labels?  Why the secrecy?
 
According to the Pesticide Act, active ingredients is the main ingredient in a pesticide which kills, repels or mitigate pests, while inert ingredients are chemicals which simply helps a pesticide to work better.
 
A strategically inserted inert can enhance a pesticides toxicity by facilitating absorption of the poison through the mouth parts of an insect or the body of the insect. In other words, the inert helps in the process of the poison to be absorbed into the body of the pest or whatever comes in contact with it, including humans.
 
We can safely say, inerts are actually, biologically, chemically and toxicological active chemicals which are more toxic than the active ingredients itself.
 
In the US, some chemicals which are regulated as hazardous waste are even used as inerts in some pesticides. Hence, we can safely say that the truth is most "inerts" are not inert.
 
The combined effect mixing inert and active ingredient is frequently what makes pesticide products so lethal. A study done in a herbicide "ROUNDUP" manufactured by US chemical giant MONSANTO CORPORATION indicates that the addition of the inert ingredient "POLYOXYETHYLENE" to the active ingredient "GLYPHOSATE" substantially increases its toxicity.
 
Another study done on xylene, a petroleum derived inert used mainly as a solvent in as many as 2000 pesticides shows that xylene may cause memory and hearing loss, liver and kidney damage, inflamed lungs and even foetal deaths.
 
According to Dr Mohd Isa Abdul Majid, from the Toxicology Laboratory University Sains Malaysia, the effects of xylene includes memory impairments, personality changes, depression, confusion and thought disorders. Even women exposed to xylene may have longer and heavier menstrual period.
So we ask the question, why is the pesticide manufacturer allowed to omit the chemical names of inert ingredients from pesticides labels when the question of safety have not been properly answered?
 
The answer is because of PROFITS.
 
Presently, the Pesticide Board of Malaysia which overseas all pesticide sales, distribution and manufacturing only require identification of inert ingredients if it believes that a chemical ingredient might pose a " toxicological concern." Inerts which are " potentially toxic" are therefore allowed to be omitted from labels.
 
Surely the label on a pesticide should be as informative as the label on a box of washing powder or even a packet of cream crackers or even a pack of cigarette. But the pesticide manufacturers claim otherwise.
 
They the manufacturers, say inerts are trade secrets and therefore they do not have to release the names of inert ingredients.
 
Malaysians should have the information necessary to make a reasoned decision about whether to pick a particular can of insect spray or mosquitoes coil. But they dont have it. Malaysians surely will want to see every ingredient listed on every product, especially when so many chemical poison in the market remain untested.
 
The law currently maintains " use until proven deadly" policy. So in this respect, awareness particularly for women and children on the use and handling of aerosol insecticide spray is necessary and a must. The Government should not hide the facts and cover for the pesticide manufactures to make the profits in the name of trade secrets. Tell us the truth and dont compromise on safety.
 
Public awareness and action are they key to the drive to prevent systematic poisoning in our homes.
 
Selvaraja was actively involved in the pesticide industry for 20 years and can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or http://selvarajasomiah.wordpress.com/