1080 is the manufactured compound sodium monofluoroacetate. 

Fluoroacetate is a naturally occurring plant toxin that appears to have evolved as a defence mechanism against browsing animals.  It has caused the death of livestock that have eaten plants containing the toxin in Australia and South Africa.  Manufactured sodium monofluoroacetate is identical chemically to the fluoroacetate found in plants.  It is added to baits, which are laid to kill vertebrate pests.

Monofluoroacetate is converted in poisoned animals to fluorocitrate, which inhibits the tricarboxylic acid cycle (Krebs Cycle) resulting in energy deprivation and death.  The heart, lungs and brain appear to be the main target organs with death resulting from breathing difficulties and heart failure.  It is not selective and can be lethal to all mammals and other animals that eat 1080 baits.

1080 use in New Zealand

The toxin 1080 is used in New Zealand for control of possums.  It is particularly effective at killing large numbers of possums over wide and often inaccessible areas.

Possums are considered the major animal pest throughout New Zealand.  They cause major damage to native flora and fauna, and they spread bovine tuberculosis (Tb) to cattle and deer.

What is the possum's role in the spread of Tb?

New Zealand is unique in the world for the extent to which Tb in livestock (cattle and deer) is caused by contact with populations of Tb-infected wildlife.  It is estimated that more than 90% of new herd infections are caused by Tb vectors (infected wildlife).

Possums are the main wildlife "reservoir" of the disease and the greatest obstacle to the elimination of bovine Tb (Mycobacterium bovis) in New Zealand.  Infected possum populations can be found over nearly 40% of New Zealand's land area.

How are possums killed?

Currently poisoning and trapping are the main methods used to kill possums.  1080 poison is especially valuable for possum control because it is the only poison available for aerial operations over large areas of inaccessible country.  1080 poison is delivered in carrot, cereal, paste and gel baits.

Does the poisoned possum suffer?

The time between the possum eating 1080 and the appearance of symptoms of poisoning is between 0.5 and 3 hours.  Some possums eat too little 1080 to kill them, and will show only mild symptoms.  They will excrete the poison and recover in 1-4 days.  Possums that eat a lethal amount of 1080 usually die of respiratory failure within 6-18 hours.

What effect does 1080 have on the environment?

Compound 1080 is fast acting and biodegradable.  The toxin is readily dissolved and diluted by water, and is completely degraded by micro-organisms, so long-term environmental contamination is unlikely.  Under mild wet conditions, 1080 residues will usually disappear from baits and soil within 1-4 weeks.  In cold or dry conditions it may take up to several months for 1080 to disappear from baits, soil or carcasses.

Is 1080 harmful to people?

No effects on human health have been demonstrated from environmental exposure.  Workers in the pest control industry are at greatest risk from unwanted exposure or poisoning, hence considerable care is taken in the manufacture and use of 1080 baits.

Previous research indicates that 1080 does not cause mutations (i.e. is not mutagenic) but that it can cause malformations in embryos (i.e. is teratogenic).  Over exposure may cause degeneration of the testes, renal failure, cardiotoxicity or neurological effects, which dictates the need for care when handling 1080.

Are other animals in danger from 1080?