City diners exposed to killer poison

Poisons containing the deadly ingredient fenthion have been banned in America and most Australian states, but are still spread on Melbourne buildings to kill pigeons.

Fenthion kills by shutting down birds' nervous systems and has been implicated as a potential cause of Gulf War syndrome.
Japanese research shows exposure may cause near-sightedness in humans. The Department of Human Services acknowledged the potential of the poison spreading to humans.

"Are (poisoned birds) likely to jump onto tables at which people eat? People eating are likely to be exposed to the pesticides left on the tables by the birds' feet," the department wrote in a pest control newsletter last year.

Greg Cowan manufactures and uses Avigel -- a fenthion-based poisonous grease that kills birds on contact -- as part of his bird control business.

His company ANC Bird Control has used the toxin -- banned in all states except Victoria and Tasmania -- at many city sites including Crown Casino.

"It is only for pigeons, starlings, indian mynas and sparrows," Mr Cowan said, but conceded other birds could die from eating poisoned birds.

After a spate of mystery falcon deaths, fears are growing about fenthion's potential to be carried to outdoor dining areas by infected birds. Merv Crofts runs Australian Pigeon Control, and refuses to use fenthion-based poisons.

"I've been trying to get it banned for years. It's going in factories, high-rises and schools. School kids are picking dead birds off the ground and throwing them in bins. This stuff is so destructive," he said.

"Hot foot got banned in Victoria because it hurt pigeons' feet and was considered cruel. But with this, it takes four days for the bird to die and we don't know yet what its effects on people are."

RSPCA President Hugh Wirth said Victoria should follow the lead of other states and ban fenthion-based poisons.

"It's time for John Thwaites to regulate the cowboys in the pest control industry who run roughshod across the law," Dr Wirth said.
The carcass of one of a family of Collins St peregrine falcons, found dead and emitting mucous from their beaks last month, is being analysed by the Department of Sustainability and the Environment.

Origin: Herald Sun Melbourne 18 November 2004