The Sniper insecticide is very popular in Nigeria. It has been known as the most effective method of driving away insects including mosquitoes, cockroaches and more. However, on the bottle, it is clearly written that it is meant for outdoor use (on farms or greenhouses) and should be mixed with water to reduce the concentration.

Sniper belongs to the DDVP chemical family, 2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate compound, marketed in Nigeria by a Swiss-Nigerian Chemical Company, as a synthetic organophosporus but many Nigerians have turned it into an indoor insecticide. One can be exposed to the many risks of DDVP by breathing it in, skin absorption, swallowing it, and eye contact.

Center For Disease Control (CDC) , states that the effects of exposure may include irritation of eyes, skin; miosis, eyes pain; rhinorrhea (discharge of thin nasal mucus); headache; chest tightness, wheezing, laryngeal spasm, salivation; cyanosis; anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; sweating; muscle fasciculation, paralysis, dizziness, ataxia; convulsions; low blood pressure, cardiac irregularity.

There are lots of insecticides that contain DDVP chemical, but Sniper insecticide still seems to be the most abused and overused; hence the emphasis.

It has been observed that people would rather use Sniper than other well established brands of insecticides because of its supposed effectiveness, the price and their ignorance of the health dangers.

A small bottle of sniper goes for between N200 and N250 while actual insecticides go for about N400 to N750.

ENCOMIUM Weekly spoke with health experts, consumers of Sniper insecticide and fumigation experts on the dangers of using sniper.

HEALTH EXPERTS

AKINOLU

Are you aware that people use sniper insecticide in their homes?

Yes, I am and it is very dangerous and poses a great threat to their health.

What are the health threats of using Sniper insecticide and other insecticides containing DDVP?

There are many health threats of using or being exposed to it. Sniper and other similar products that contain DDVP are poisonous and may damage vital organs such as the lungs and kidney and may cause cancer.

MARTINS

Are you aware that people use Sniper insecticide in their homes?

Yes, I am aware that people use Sniper insecticide in their homes and it’s very wrong. People need to be enlightened about it because it is highly dangerous to health.

What are the dangers of using Sniper and other insecticides containing DDVP?

Insecticides that contain DDVP can trigger or worsen an existing respiratory condition such as bronchitis, Asthma or even cause lung cancer. Inhaling it over and over weakens the lungs and kidney, causing cancer.

Read more: http://encomium.ng/why-you-should-stop-using-sniper-insecticide-indoors/