AvailableEason et al.:on-line Update at: http://www.newzealandecology.org/nzje/ on 1080 in New Zealand 1 REVIEW An updated review of the toxicology and ecotoxicology of sodium fluoroacetate (1080) in relation to its use as a pest control tool in New Zealand Charles Eason1*, Aroha Miller1, Shaun Ogilvie1 and Alastair Fairweather2 1Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Department of Ecology, Lincoln University, PO Box 84, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand 2 Department of Conservation, Hamilton, New Zealand * Author for correspondence (Email:
[email protected]) Published on-line: 19 December 2010 Abstract: Sodium fluoroacetate (1080) is a vertebrate pesticide, originally developed in the 1940s and principally used for the control of unwanted introduced animals in New Zealand and Australia. Fluoroacetate is also a toxic component of poisonous plants found in Australia, Africa, South America, and India. In relation to its use as a pesticide, recent research has focused on further elucidation of its potential sub-lethal effects, on animal welfare issues, on understanding and reducing its risk to non-target species, on its ecotoxicology, and fate in the environment following use in baits. 1080 acts by interfering with cellular energy production through inhibition of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and lethal doses can kill animal pests within 6–48 h of eating baits. Exposure to sub-lethal doses has been shown to have harmful effects on the heart and testes in animal studies, and strict safety precautions are enforced to protect contractors and workers in the pest control industry. Considerable care must be taken when using 1080 for the control of animal pests.