Wasping in Michigan Correctional Facilities: Exposures to Correctional Workers and Incarcerated Persons, 2023 and 2025: Case Reports.

Abstract

"Wasping" is an emerging trend where pyrethroid-based insecticides are intentionally inhaled. Michigan's pesticide surveillance program identified events in Michigan wherein correctional officers and incarcerated persons required medical evaluation at local hospitals after "wasping" exposures. Michigan's pesticide surveillance program reviewed case reports involving acute pesticide exposures. Demographic characteristics, signs and symptoms, and clinical outcomes were evaluated and described for each exposed correctional officer and incarcerated person. Reports identified 11 separate events at 8 different Michigan correctional facilities where a total of 5 correctional officers and 9 incarcerated persons experienced illness after being exposed to smoke from incarcerated persons "wasping" in 2023 and 2025. Awareness of the multiple routes of obtaining pyrethroid products for incarcerated persons and tailoring a prevention plan based on facility policies is crucial to protecting the health of incarcerated persons and correctional workers.