The Effects of Inhaling Raid Ant & Roach Spray

Ants and roaches are among the many insect pests that can turn your home into a miniature wildlife preserve, and in sufficient numbers, their skittering presence can all but hold you hostage in your own living environment. Fortunately, there are chemical sprays that can kill these insects in short order --- among them the longtime favorite Raid Ant & Roach spray. One problem, however, is that the same substances that vanquishes six-legged intruders can be toxic to human beings if inhaled.

General Precautions

• According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Household Products Database, there are no acute, or immediate, health effects from inhaling Raid Ant & Roach spray. However, users are warned not to inhale the compound and to ventilate areas where it is sprayed before returning to them. In addition to keeping children and adults from breathing the spray, remove pets --- including birds and fish --- from the area to be sprayed. The USDHHS states that the product may be harmful if swallowed or absorbed through the skin.

Toxic Ingredients and Effects

• Raid Ant & Roach spray, unlike insect repellents designed to be applied to human skin, does not contain DEET. However, among its six active ingredients are pyrethrins, a mixture of organic compounds with strongly insecticidal properties. Pyrethrins have a host of known effects on humans if inhaled, including difficulty breathing, coughing, alteration of consciousness owing to oxygen-level fluctuations; larger amounts can lead to tremors, seizures or an upset stomach with or without vomiting.

If You're Exposed

• If you or anyone else inhales Raid Ant & Roach spray, intentionally or otherwise, immediately move to a place offering fresh air. Before contacting emergency medical personnel, have available the affected person's age, weight and condition, the time the Raid was inhaled and how much of it was inhaled. You can call the National Poison Control Center at [phone] from anywhere in the United States 24 hours a day, seven days a week to get further information and help.