Ohio, EPA at odds over bedbugs

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Ohio officials say they want a commercial agricultural pesticide approved for home use against bedbugs, but U.S. officials say it's unsafe for children.

State health officials want the Environmental Protection Agency to approve the use of Propoxur, saying homeowners are at risk when they try to use other dangerous chemicals in high concentrations, The Columbus Dispatch reported Thursday.

"We're seeing increased misuse," said Matt Beal, the Ohio Department of Agriculture official heading state's effort to get Propoxur approved for home use. "We've had people treated at hospitals."

Though studies have shown that Propoxur is very good at killing bedbugs, the EPA has said it won't approve the chemical for home use until it is sure children won't be exposed to too much of it.

EPA formulas show exposure would be far too high and potentially cause nervous-system damage in children, said Dan Rosenblatt of the EPA's office of pesticide programs.

"I would prefer we were talking about a different chemical," he said. "The safety findings we need to make are formidable."