Xiamen Firm Investigated Over Alleged DDVP Disinfection at Dozens of Restaurants

Authorities in Xiamen, Fujian Province, have closed the business premises of a disinfection service company and seized remaining pesticide stocks after media reported it had allegedly used DDVP, a highly toxic organophosphate insecticide, at dozens of restaurants.

A joint investigation team in Huli District said today that it had launched an inquiry after receiving public complaints about a local company suspected of illegally carrying out disinfection work. Investigators sampled and collected evidence from the company's disinfection products and seized its remaining chemical inventory.

The company site has been shut down.

The official response followed an investigation by The Beijing News, which reported that the company had long used DDVP while providing pest-control and disinfection services to dozens of restaurant chains, including Green Tea, Xianqi Banbudian, Fengyuanjia Hong Kong-style Tea Restaurant and Uoichi Sushi.

According to the report, employees poured DDVP concentrate into mineral water bottles and removed labels to avoid inspections. The company also allegedly used unlicensed rodenticides lacking required labeling or documentation.

One employee was quoted as saying: "I personally would not eat at restaurants we disinfected. I would not go even if you beat me to death."

Employees also said the company was unwilling to switch to compliant, lower-toxicity insecticides because DDVP cost only a few yuan per bottle, compared with 25 yuan (US$3.72) for propoxur and several dozen yuan for better products.

The report said journalists collected samples of residual liquid from floors after disinfection work at several restaurants. Rapid colloidal gold tests for DDVP returned positive results.

DDVP is mainly used for agricultural pest control. Because of its toxicity and potential cancer risk, some parts of China have restricted or banned the use of medium- and high-toxicity organophosphate pesticides such as DDVP in residential-area disinfection.

Huli District said it would also carry out a full inspection and rectification campaign targeting disinfection companies across the district, and would investigate illegal conduct thoroughly.