Six pesticides sold to New Zealand home gardeners have rotenone as their main ingredient - the insecticide implicated in killing brain cells and triggering debilitating physical symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease in rats.
Rotenone has been used here for nearly 40 years, mostly in gardens.
The authority that licences insecticides said yesterday it was maintaining a "watching brief."
The director of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's agricultural compounds and veterinary medicines group, Debbie Morris, said her group was seeking more information.
Four of the powdered products contain rotenone at the rate of 0.5g/kg: Yates Derris Dust, Yates Super Derris Dust, Watkins Derris Dust, and McGregor's Derris Dust.
Two liquid sprays, Yates Trigger Derris Spray and Yates Trigger Insect Spray, contain it at 0.5g/litre.
Scientists say the American research on rats strongly indicates what has been suspected for years - that the common form of Parkinson's disease might result from toxins in the environment.
- NZPA
Insecticide under cloud
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