June 9, 2005 – The sale of insect repellents made from citronella essential oil will remain permitted in Canada for at least one more year.
Lacking scientific proof as to the safety of this type of natural product, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) announced last year that it intended to phase them out of the market. Marlet. But the numerous complaints received as a result of this decision prompted the PMRA to set up a committee of scientists which, starting in the fall, will try to see if there is a way to evaluate the studies in which it is concerned. has.
Ms. Trish MacQuarrie, Director of the New Strategies and Regulatory Affairs Division, PMRA, noted that she was “open to considering other approaches”, but did not elaborate on this. The spokesperson also did not want to say whether the exercise could make it possible to permanently reverse the decision to ban lemongrass.
“Our decision will be based on science and, so far, we do not have enough studies to conclude on the safety of this product,” said Ms. MacQuarrie, however. She also recalled that the responsibility for producing other studies lies with the industry which, for its part, has already indicated that it does not have the means to do so.
Will the verdict fall before the summer of 2006? “Not necessarily,” says MacQuarrie. It might take a while, because we really want to make the best decision. “
The PMRA nevertheless believes that Canadians can – without danger – continue to protect themselves from mosquitoes with citronella oil, since it “has not identified an imminent health risk”.
In fact, no case of poisoning attributable to the use of this product, which has been on sale since 1948, has been recorded in the country.
Martin LaSalle – PasseportSanté.net
According to Radio-Canada.
