Powdered corn cob

Powdered Corn Cob (PCC) is marketed as a natural and environmentally-friendly alternative to anticoagulant rodenticide. The preparation was approved in July 2013 under the European Biocide Directive Program (Annex 1/1A BPD 98/8EEC) . It works by causing acute and ultimately lethal dehydration.

History

Formulated and manufactured by Zea Sciences[1] over 15 years, PCC was granted EU under the European Biocide Directive Program, known as Annex 1/1A BPD 98/8EEC, in July 2013.[2][3] The patent covers the principle of using any suitable natural dehydrant to kill rodents.[4]

Effect

Similar to other rodenticides, the preparation requires 3–7 days to be effective. Rather than killing rodents through internal haemorrhaging as anticoagulants do,[5] PCC affects a rodent’s digestive system, causing acute dehydration due to its extremely absorptive nature (corn cob has been used in applications such as oil spills in water bodies, seed drying and de-icing).[6] Physiological digestive pathways are disrupted, preventing normal regulation of water and salt levels, leading to hypovolemic circulatory shock through reduced blood volume and blood pressure, oxygen deprivation of the blood, and ultimately death.[7]

It is by nature biodegradable, thus not an environmental pollutant. It poses no risk of contamination to crops, nor to the food chain. There is little threat of toxicity to children, pets, livestock or birds—including through secondary poisoning.[8]

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References
  1. "Zea Sciences". Retrieved 22 August 2013.
  2. Health and Safety Executive (HSE). "Powdered corn cob - Annex I Directive". HSE. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
  3. "EU approves powdered corn cob as biocidal active". Chemical Watch: Global Risk & Regulation News. 15 August 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
  4. "IFI Claims Patent Services (Google)". Retrieved 4 April 2015.
  5. The Barn Owl Trust. "Rodent Control" (PDF). Leaflet. The Barn Owl Trust. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
  6. Ribey, Margaret. "The Many Faces of the Corn Cob" (PDF). Innovative Farmers Association of Ontario. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
  7. Zea Sciences. "Mode of Action". Retrieved 22 August 2013.
  8. European Union (2013-07-31). "Commission Directive 2013/44/EU of 30 July 2013". Official Journal of the European Union (204): 49–50. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
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