The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies DDVP as a "highly hazardous" insecticide. Studies made by the US National Cancer Institute show that DDVP causes cancer in animals and may damage the liver and nervous system.

Consumer Reports said the worst offenders are hanging pest strips that contain DDVP since they continuously release this deadly vapor in the air and increase your odds of getting cancer by about one in 100.

"According to other EPA estimates, weekly use of ant and roach sprays containing dichlorvos may increase your cancer risk by one in 10,000. Dogs and cats wearing flea collars impregnated with dichlorvos. run an increased cancer risk of one in 100; people who live with pets wearing such collars also bear an increased risk, about one in 10,000," said Consumer Reports.

That perception, however, may soon change. A recent EPA report classifies DDVP in the same level as permethrin, another insecticide which is generally regarded as non-toxic to humans.

If that classification sticks, that means DDVP is no guiltier of causing cancer than other less hazardous insecticides and can be safely used at home. Until the final word is out, extreme caution is advised when using products containing this chemical.

Compared to DDVP, permethrin may not easily kill insects. Weaker formulations may simply stun bugs for a while. But this chemical also has a dark side. It can make life miserable for asthmatics and other sensitive individuals.

"Asthmatics and people sensitive to pollen should avoid permethrin at all costs. Inhaling or even touching this chemical could bring on a severe allergic attack. Some permethrin products are said to be purified and therefore non-allergenic; but if they are, we couldn't tell which from the product's labels," said the editors of Consumer Reports.(Next: Kinds of insecticides.)

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