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Xanthine (116900) and Oxypurinol (447509) Fact Sheet
Related Information
Information related to this page:Issued: 4/99
On This Page
- Description of the Active Ingredient
- Use Sites, Target Pests, and Application Methods
- Assessing Risks to Human Health
- Assessing Risks to the Environment
- Regulatory Information
- Products Directed Against Public Public Heath Pests
- Producer Information
- Additional Contact Information
Summary
Xanthine and oxypurinol, combined in equal amounts, are used in cockroach bait stations to attract and control cockroaches in indoor environments, including homes, schools, and vehicles. Use of these bait stations is not expected to harm humans or pets.
- Description of the Active Ingredient
- Use Sites, Target Pests, and Application Methods
- Use Sites: The bait may be used anywhere indoors, but is most effective in places where cockroaches hide, such as in dark, warm, damp locations near food and water. Representative use sites include: food manufacturing and food processing facilities, hospitals, schools, laboratories, homes, pet shops, and commercial vehicles.
- Target pest: Cockroach
- Application Methods: The active ingredients are inside a bait station that can be placed anywhere indoors; especially recommended are damp places favored by cockroaches.
- Assessing Risks to Human Health
- Assessing Risks to the Environment
- Regulatory Information
- Products Directed Against Public Public Heath Pests
- Producer Information
- Additional Contact Information
The active ingredients, oxypurinol and xanthine, are formulated into a pellet that is enclosed in a bait station. Oxypurinol is a breakdown product of the human drug allopurinol, which is used to treat gout and certain blood diseases. Xanthine is a naturally occurring substance found in all living cells. Acting together, oxypurinol and xanthine interfere with metabolic processes needed for cockroach growth and reproduction. It may take six to ten weeks for numbers of cockroaches to decrease noticeably.
No adverse human health effects are expected from use of xanthine/oxypurinol in bait stations. Based on tests with this mixture of active ingredients, there is no evidence of mammalian toxicity from amounts much greater than people, including children, would encounter from these bait stations. After considering available information, the Agency concludes that the bait station can be used safely when label precautions are followed. Because the active ingredients are enclosed in a sealed bait station, exposure is expected to be minimal.
Because the bait is designed to be used indoors and the active ingredients are contained in the bait station, exposure to any species except the cockroach is unlikely. Therefore, no harmful environmental effects are expected.
Xanthine/oxypurinol was registered (licensed for use) in May 1999. As of May 1999, the only EPA-approved end use product with xanthine and oxypurinol as active ingredients is the cockroach bait station.
EPA defines a public health pest as any organism that can cause or transmit human disease, or can cause human discomfort or injury. Examples include cockroaches, germs, mosquitoes, ticks, and rats. To help protect the public’s health, EPA requires registrants of products used against public health pests to demonstrate that the product meets specific standards for effectiveness as well as for safety. The product currently registered with xanthine and oxypurinol as active ingredients for use against cockroaches has met the applicable standards.
Dominion BioSciences, Inc.
Blacksburg, VA 24060
Ombudsman, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division (7511P)
Office of Pesticide Programs
Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20460