{"hq_id":"hq-p-hom-000126","name":"Roach bait gel / cockroach spray","category":{"primary":"household","secondary":"pest control","tags":["roach killer","cockroach","fipronil","boric acid","bait gel","pest control"]},"product_tier":"HOM","overall_risk_level":"moderate_to_high","description":"Indoor cockroach control products in gel bait (syringe applicator) or aerosol spray formats. Gel baits typically contain fipronil or hydramethylnon as the active ingredient in a food-grade attractant matrix. Spray formats use fast-knockdown pyrethroids. Primary hazard is accidental ingestion by children and pets who contact bait placements. Fipronil disrupts GABA-gated chloride channels; hydramethylnon inhibits mitochondrial electron transport. Boric acid formulations offer lower acute toxicity but chronic exposure risk.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"moderate","synthesis_confidence":0.5,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_infant","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":1,"vulnerability_escalated":true,"escalation_reason":"Infant exposure group","compounds_resolved":2,"compounds_total":2,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"child, infant, dog, cat","overall_risk":"moderate-high","primary_concerns":["Ingestion toxicity: fipronil causes seizures, vomiting, and neurological symptoms in children/pets at very low doses","Reproductive toxicity: boric acid is classified Repr. 1B (EU) with chronic exposure concerns","Pet secondary poisoning: pets ingesting poisoned roaches may receive sub-lethal fipronil doses"],"exposure_routes":"ingestion (primary), dermal contact"},"exposure":{"routes":["ingestion","dermal"],"contact_types":["oral_incidental","skin_incidental"],"users":["adult","child","infant","dog","cat"],"duration":"chronic","frequency":"continuous","scenarios":["Child contacting gel bait placed under cabinets","Pet licking bait station","Dermal contact during application","Secondary exposure from dead insects contacted by pets"],"notes":"Gel baits are designed to attract insects but also attract curious children and pets. Placement in inaccessible locations is critical."},"consumer_guidance":{"red_flags":[{"indicator":"Gel bait placed on open surfaces","meaning":"Accessible to children and pets","action":"Use enclosed tamper-resistant bait stations instead"}],"green_flags":[{"indicator":"Child-resistant bait stations","meaning":"Enclosed stations reduce accidental contact","verification":"Check packaging for child-resistant certification"}],"what_to_ask":[],"alternatives":[{"name":"Boric acid powder (applied in cracks/voids)","notes":"Lower acute toxicity; effective when applied in wall voids and cracks inaccessible to children/pets"},{"name":"Integrated pest management (IPM)","notes":"Seal entry points, eliminate food/water sources, use sticky traps for monitoring before chemical treatment"}],"notes":null},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"EPA FIFRA — Registered pesticide","citation":null,"requirements":"EPA registration required. Child-resistant packaging mandated for certain formulations.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"EPA","penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":["EPA registration number","Active ingredient percentage","Signal word"],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":"CAUTION","pictograms":["exclamation_mark"],"hazard_statements":["Harmful if swallowed"],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":false,"disposal_guidance":"Hazardous household waste disposal","hazardous_waste":true,"expected_lifespan":"6-12_months"},"formulation":{"form":"gel_bait_or_aerosol","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000183","name":"Fipronil","role":"active_insecticide","concentration_pct":"0.01-0.05"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Hydramethylnon","role":"active_insecticide_alt","concentration_pct":"1.0-2.0"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000020","name":"Boric acid","role":"active_insecticide_alt","concentration_pct":"5.0-10.0"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Food-grade attractant matrix (sugars, oils)","role":"bait_matrix","concentration_pct":"85-95"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Bittering agent (denatonium benzoate)","role":"child_deterrent","concentration_pct":"trace"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000183","compound_name":"Fipronil","role":"active_insecticide","typical_concentration":null},{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000020","compound_name":"Boric acid","role":"active_insecticide_alt","typical_concentration":null}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["roach bait","cockroach gel","roach spray","cockroach killer"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand A","manufacturer":"Consumer Products Corporation","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Widely available mass-market option"},{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand B","manufacturer":"Consumer Goods Ltd","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Popular budget alternative"},{"brand":"Premium Brand A","manufacturer":"Premium Consumer Inc","market_position":"premium","notable":"Professional-grade formulation"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-24"},{"type":"regulation","title":"EPA FIFRA — Registered pesticide","jurisdiction":"USA","id":"src_8254193a"},{"id":"epa_fipronil_registration_review","type":"regulatory","title":"US EPA: Fipronil Registration Review — Carcinogenicity Classification (Group C), Aquatic Invertebrate and Bee Toxicity, Use Restrictions Near Water, and Risk Mitigation Measures (2017)","year":2017,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000183"},{"id":"aspca_fipronil_cats_dogs","type":"veterinary","title":"ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Fipronil and Flea/Tick Product Toxicosis in Cats and Dogs — Fipronil vs. Pyrethroid Combination Products, Feline Sulfone Metabolism, Clinical Presentation, and Product Confusion Risk (2023)","year":2023,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000183"},{"id":"epa_boric_acid_reg","type":"regulatory","title":"US EPA: Boric Acid and Sodium Tetraborate — Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) and Human Health Risk Assessment","year":2006,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-ino-000020"},{"id":"efsa_boric_acid_2013","type":"regulatory","title":"EFSA: Re-evaluation of Boric Acid (E 284) and Sodium Tetraborate (Borax, E 285) as Food Additives — ADI and Reproductive Toxicity Assessment","year":2013,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-ino-000020"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-24","timestamp":"2026-05-14T01:29:11.093Z"}}