Pesticide treatments in hotels pose major health risks!

After a family staying at a hotel in Fatih was hospitalized following a meal in a Beşiktaş restaurant, which is resulting in the tragic deaths of the mother, father, and two children, the revelation that the hotel had recently undergone pest-control treatment shifted public attention to occupational health and safety precautions in hotel pesticide applications. Important warnings have been issued regarding the risks such treatments pose to both guests and employees.

Assoc. Prof. Müge Ensari Özay, stating that “pesticide treatments in hotels carry major health risks,” emphasized: “When pesticides are not used in a controlled manner, they can cause acute and chronic health risks. Acute effects include respiratory irritation, burning sensations in the eyes, ears, and nose, headaches, nausea, skin redness, or neurological symptoms.”

Assoc. Prof. Özay also noted that the safe re-entry time for rooms or common areas after pest control varies depending on the product used and the method of application: “The ‘re-entry’ time specified on the product label is the primary reference. While 1–2 hours of ventilation may be sufficient for some surface sprays, intense applications such as fogging or fumigation may require more than 12–24 hours. If the label instructions are not clear, the safest approach is to wait 24 hours and ensure strong ventilation.”

Assoc. Prof. Müge Ensari Özay, faculty member in the Department of Occupational Health and Safety at Üsküdar University and Director of R&D and Innovative Policies, emphasized that improper pest-control practices can pose serious health risks.

Hotels create ideal environments for the breeding of pests and rodents…

Noting that hotels are high-traffic environments with food service and continuous use across different climate conditions, which are factors that create ideal conditions for pest and rodent infestations, Assoc. Prof. Özay stated: “Pests such as cockroaches, bed bugs, rodents, flies, and mosquitoes do not only reduce comfort; they also pose public health risks such as salmonella, Escherichia coli, leptospirosis, hantavirus, and allergenic particles. For this reason, pest-control treatments are critical for food safety, guest health, and the legal responsibilities of the establishment. Proper pesticide control strategies protect hotels from biological contamination and hygiene scandals, directly affecting the sustainability of the business.”

Uncontrolled use of pesticides can cause acute and chronic health risks

Assoc. Prof. Müge Ensari Özay continued her remarks as follows: “When pesticides are not used in a controlled manner, they may cause acute and chronic health risks. Acute effects include respiratory irritation, burning in the eyes, ears, and nose, headaches, nausea, skin reactions, or neurological symptoms. Chronic exposure has been linked in the literature to endocrine disorders, certain types of cancer, neurotoxic effects, and adverse impacts on reproductive health. In particular, fogging, fumigation, or high-volume applications performed in enclosed spaces may leave pesticide residues on surfaces, posing serious risks for children, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with asthma. Incorrect dosing, off-label use, and inadequate ventilation are primary factors that increase the risk of poisoning.”

Critical OHS rules that must be followed in hotel pest-control operations

Highlighting the basic rules that must be followed in terms of occupational health and safety during hotel pesticide applications, Assoc. Prof. Özay stated:“According to Türkiye’s Occupational Health and Safety Law No. 6331, employers are required to inform employees about chemical risks, provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, goggles, gloves, and coveralls, and ensure accessibility to safety data sheets (SDS/MSDS). Only trained and certified personnel should carry out pesticide applications, proper ventilation must be ensured in enclosed areas, and unauthorized individuals must not be allowed in the treatment area. In addition, risk assessments must be conducted, chemical label instructions must be followed, and re-entry times must be documented.”

All products must be fully licensed!

Assoc. Prof. Müge Ensari Özay emphasized that, under Türkiye’s legal regulations regarding pest control in hotels, all pesticides used must be public health–approved products licensed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. She explained that the “Procedures and Principles for Pest Control in the Field of Public Health” and the “Biocidal Products Regulation” define which products may be used, at what doses, and in which areas. She added: “Companies performing the applications are required to employ a responsible manager, ensure that their applicators hold authorized certification, and keep detailed records of all procedures. Additionally, according to Occupational Health and Safety Law No. 6331, employers must meet their obligations regarding employee training, information, and protective measures during chemical use. In this context, hotels are responsible for ensuring both health and regulatory compliance.”

Warning notices must be left, and application times must be announced in advance!

Highlighting that pest-control companies are inspected by Provincial and District Health Directorates as well as units of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Assoc. Prof. Özay continued: “However, inspection frequency may vary depending on provinces, tourism intensity, and complaint reports. The validity of company licenses, compliance of product labels and authorizations, applicator certificates, and recordkeeping processes are regularly monitored. Informing hotel staff about pest-control procedures is a legal obligation. According to Law No. 6331, employees must be informed about potential chemical exposure, receive appropriate training, and be provided with necessary protective equipment. While guest notification is not explicitly required under Turkish legislation, international best practices recommend placing warning notes on room doors, announcing application times in advance, or informing guests about closure periods.”

The most protective approach: 24 hours of waiting and strong ventilation

Assoc. Prof. Özay noted that the safe re-entry time for rooms or shared spaces after pesticide application depends on the product type and method used, concluding: “The ‘re-entry’ period stated on the product label is the main reference. While 1–2 hours of ventilation may be adequate for some surface sprays, intense applications such as fogging or fumigation may require more than 12–24 hours. Before a room or shared area is reused, proper ventilation must be ensured, contact surfaces must be cleaned, and additional hygiene measures must be taken in food-preparation areas. If label instructions are unclear, the most protective approach is to wait 24 hours and ensure strong ventilation.”