Question from Sue Mironer
I have two Japanese Tansu chests (one for clothing, and one for odds and ends) in my apartment. I’m considering purchasing a third chest but when I inquired about fumigation I was told the tansu are fumigated in Japan before being shipped to the U.S. with a chemical called DDVP. When the tansu arrive here, they’re washed down with TSP. I wiped the two I own down with vinegar and water before using them. I’ve never noticed a smell or reaction but I’m wondering if this is safe. Your comments please.
Debra’s Answer
DDVP is the acronym for 2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate, also called Dichlorvos. It is a highly volatile organophosphate, widely used as a insecticide to control household pests, and also used in greenhouses, on outdoor fruit and vegetable crops. and in the milling of grain. It is also used in pet collars and “no-pest strips” as pesticide-impregnated plastic. In this form it has recently been labeled for use against bed bugs.
DDVP is absorbed through all routes of exposure. Symptoms from exposure are weakness, headache, tightness in chest, blurred vision, salivation, sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.
www.pan-uk.org/pestnews/Actives/dichlorv.htm
I’m not sure that TSP would do anything to remove this pesticide. I suggest calling a manufacturer and find out how to remove residues of this pesticide from furniture.
