Fort McMurray mother trying to kill bed bugs poisoned her children: fire department

[bed bug]

Infant dead, four other children in critical condition after possible pesticide poisoning
By Otiena Ellwand and Marty Klinkenberg, Edmonton Journal

A pesticide used in a unit in this apartment building killed an infant and left several other children in critical condition.

Photograph by: Bradley Karp , MyMcMurray.com

A mother trying to kill bed bugs in her Fort McMurray apartment used an imported pesticide that fatally poisoned her infant and left her other children critically ill.
The substance used in the apartment was a pellet form of phosphine, an agricultural pesticide that is strictly controlled in Canada and requires special training to use.
When exposed to the air, the pellets react with moisture and release phosphine gas, said James Kehrer, a toxicologist at the University of Alberta. As a gas, it’s often used to fumigate large batches of grain.
“It will kill the bed bugs, but it’s nasty stuff,” said Kehrer. “Children are more susceptible to these things ... It should only be used by a professional.”
The pellets were mainly spread around one bedroom, but fire crews detected the substance throughout the unit, said Brad Grainger, deputy chief of operations for the Fort McMurray fire department.
“It’s airborne, but it’s low to the ground,” he said. “You can imagine children crawling on the ground.”...Continue reading...

Related: By Meaghan Craig Reporter  Global News
SASKATOON – Bed bugs. Just the thought of them makes your skin crawl and according to local pest control experts, they’re becoming more prevalent.
“Bed bugs are simply a hitchhiker and you’ll pick up bed bugs in many, many different places,” said Murray Davison, branch manager for Poulin’s Professional Pest Control Services.
“They’re making a come-back because of international travel,you know lots of people traveling to different destinations around the world and they’re just bringing them back.”
Surviving up to a year without a blood meal, bed bugs can live in walls and transfer in between apartments.
“They’re quite happy to live in the top third of your bed, in your headboard, in your night stand that kinda stuff and as long as there’s a blood meal there every night, you know you’re sleeping in there and they’ll come and feed on you.” explained Davison.
Serina McKeen, a young mother of one, says she’s packing up after getting fed-up with a bug infestation in her apartment complex on Avenue O South.

“It’s not a safe place for my kid.”...Continue reading...