Completed
Pindone [2-(2,2-Dimethyl-1-oxopropyl)-1H- indene-1,3(2H)-dione] is a ‘first generation’ (multiple dose) anticoagulant rodenticide. Anticoagulant rodenticides block the vitamin K cycle, cause internal bleeding and prevent blood clotting. Pindone is used to control rabbits in areas where the alternative rabbit poison, sodium fluoroacetate (1080), cannot be used because of risk to humans or domestic animals.
First-generation baits must generally be consumed many times before death occurs. This means that pindone is safer to use for rabbit control in populated areas (urban and semi-rural areas, including hobby farms, golf courses and horticultural areas) where the alternative, single-dose poison, sodium fluoroacetate, is either impractical or unsuitable.
Pindone comes in two forms: a salt (pindone sodium) and a liquid (pindone acid). Both are applied to bait material (either carrots or oats).
Pindone is a restricted chemical product and may only be used by authorised persons. The antidote for pindone poisoning is active vitamin K, which is available from vets as an injection or as a tablet.
Work plan
Work plan
Click on the tabs for more information about the status of each phase in the review process. For more information about how each phase is conducted, please read about the reconsideration process.
Chemicals
- Pindone
1. Nomination
1. Nomination
Phase status
CompletedThe APVMA began a review of pindone because of concerns that the unrestricted supply and use of pindone to control rabbits might pose a threat to non-target animals. Using pindone in baits at higher concentrations than the recommended rate increases the risk of poisoning of native animals, as a single exposure can be fatal.
2. Prioritisation
2. Prioritisation
Phase status
Completed
3. Scoping and work plan
3. Scoping and work plan
Phase status
Completed
4. Notice of reconsideration
4. Notice of reconsideration
Phase status
Completed
5. Assessment
5. Assessment
Phase status
Completed
6. Proposed regulatory decision
6. Proposed regulatory decision
Phase status
CompletedIn July 2001, the APVMA released the Pindone preliminary findings report. The review focused on obtaining a scientifically based assessment of whether there was an undue risk to non-target animals caused by the unrestricted supply and use of pindone to control rabbits.
The APVMA assessed published and unpublished data and all other relevant information submitted to it relating to the potential for pindone to cause both primary and secondary poisonings in non-target animals, and looked at which species were likely to consume pindone, either in baits or as residues in rabbits.
The APVMA recommended that the supply and use of pindone be restricted to authorised persons; that instructions on the labels be changed to reduce the risk to non-target fauna; and that registrants needed to substantiate claims that pindone sodium salt had a shorter half-life than pindone acid and that it was relatively less potent than the acid form in most animals except the rabbit.
7. Consultation
7. Consultation
Phase status
Completed
8. Final regulatory decision
8. Final regulatory decision
Phase status
CompletedIn May 2002, the APVMA released the Pindone review final report. The key findings of the review were that:
- baits containing pindone acid and baits containing pindone sodium pose a similar risk to non-target animals
- the supply of pindone products should be restricted to persons who have special knowledge, skill or qualifications in the preparation of pindone baits
- there was no evidence that non-target fauna were at undue risk of poisoning because of the unrestricted supply of pre-mixed ready-to-use pindone baits
- the product labels did not carry adequate information for the safe conduct of a rabbit baiting program
- the risks associated with the use of pindone could be managed by providing adequate instructions on all product labels.
In the final report, APVMA recommended:
- declaring pindone concentrates to be restricted chemical products
- amending label instructions to include information to help reduce the risk of poisoning to non-target fauna by providing advice on:
- the need for assessing the baiting area for potential non-target exposure and measures to minimise non-target exposure
- appropriate restraints on the use of product
- baiting programs and techniques
- areas where pindone baits should not be used or where additional precautions should be taken.
9. Implementation
9. Implementation
Phase status
Completed
Publication archive
Publication Archive
| Type | Title | Publication date |
|---|---|---|
| Report | Pindone review final report | May 2002 |
| Report | Pindone preliminary findings report | July 2001 |