POLICE and health authorities have still not been able to locate the 84 canisters of the deadly fumigant Phostoxin, which was stolen from a parked motor vehicle in downtown Kingston two Fridays ago.

“We have no new information on the matter,” an official at the health ministry told the Observer yesterday.

A similar response was received from the police and the Pesticides Control Authority (PCA).

The poison, which was being transported to the Jamaica Flour Mills plant in Rockfort, is said to value $89,000. Its theft raised the issue of security as it relates to the transportation of hazardous material, pushing Health Minister John Junor to request a report on such procedures last week.

“I have instructed the Pesticides Control Authority to give me a report to determine under which conditions the pesticide was transported, and what things need to be done to increase or have adequate security for the transportation of toxic material,” Junor told the Observer.

Last week, Hyacinth Chin Sue, head of the PCA, confirmed that she had received the minister’s request, but emphasised that there is no legislation governing the transportation and security of hazardous pesticides.

“We want to make changes to make sure that the vehicles transporting the pesticides are secure, properly locked with signs on the outside,” said Chin Sue, who told the Observer that the motor vehicle from which the Phostoxin was stolen belonged to a customs broker.

“Right now, there is a requirement that goods of a certain value have to be cleared by a customs broker, and in the case of the missing canisters of Phostoxin, his vehicle containing the substance was parked, but we don’t have legislation to ensure that the vehicle storing it must be secure,” said Chin Sue. “But we would prefer to have a system of fines which would be administered swiftly.”

“We deal with chemical houses which know about security concerns, but we never considered customs brokers,” she said.

Phostoxin is used to fumigate against insects, rodents and other pests. The health ministry has warned the public to look out for the canisters which, it said, contained pellets which, when opened, release a poisonous gas that can be fatal to humans and animals if inhaled.

The aluminium canisters are cylindrical in shape with white caps. The caps are wrapped in white labels with black writing with the danger warning (skull and cross bones) written in red.

According to the PCA, exposure to Phostoxin can cause weakness, ringing in the ears, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, pain just above the stomach, chest pain, diarrhoea and difficulty in breathing.

The agency also advised that anyone who suspects that they may have been exposed to Phostoxin or any other fumigant should seek urgent medical attention.

Persons with information regarding this matter are asked to call the PCA at 967-1281 or the Jamaica Flour Mills at 928-7224.