How did the PCO (Pest Control Operator) industry in the U.S. start?
In the United States, after independence, immigrants arrived on the East Coast in search of a new land, but the living conditions in the beginning were very harsh and sanitation was poor. The people who were brought here as slaves also lived in poor conditions, and as a result, the city was infested with vermin such as rats, bedbugs, and cockroaches.
The conditions were quite harsh, weren't they?
Yes, they were. Against this backdrop, around 1840, small pest control companies were established by immigrants. In New York, there were many companies whose presidents could be identified as Jewish by their names. They were very talented and very eager to learn.
Was there already an association?
Yes, the PCO Association was founded in 1933. However, at that time, the mainstream terminology was "rat catcher" or "vermin exterminator," and many people in the industry said they didn't like that terminology.
Was there a movement to change that image?
Yes, there was. A professor at Purdue University proposed the term "pest control," and the name "National Pest Control Association" has become established.
After that, was there a change of name?
Yes, the name was changed. The name was changed to "management" to soften the strong impression of the word "control” that is, to "completely suppress", and it became the "National Pest Management Association" at the Las Vegas convention in 2000.
When did PCO activities begin in Japan?
The PCO association started in Japan around the time of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. At that time, the biggest challenge was the increase in the number of flies.
Why were there so many flies?
The garbage collection system at the time was a mess. The sewage system was hardly maintained, and the environment remained like a ditch river. This is where houseflies and red flies were infesting the area, and Japanese encephalitis and other such outbreaks occurred.
After that, did the situation improve?
Yes, the situation has improved. Twenty years have passed since the end of the war, and Japan has greatly recovered. The development of urban infrastructure, especially garbage collection, has dramatically reduced the number of flies. It is now more difficult to find flies.
What problems have arisen since then?
During the period of rapid economic growth, more and more buildings began to be constructed in large cities. In the midst of this, the outbreaks of German cockroaches and house mosquitoes in buildings became a problem. Also, the problem of rats has continued since the postwar period. This is really difficult.
How was the training of specialized contractors conducted?
In 1969, the Building Management Law was enacted, and with it came the need to train specialist contractors. At that time, there were 196 companies active, and by the time we became an incorporated association, the number had increased to 261.
In the 1990s, there was a growing awareness of environmental issues, wasn't there?
Yes, there was. The PCO industry was naturally criticized as part of this trend, and we had a hard time dealing with it.
What kind of on-site environmental considerations were being taken into account in other countries?
When I visited Singapore, I saw insecticide spraying operations being carried out at the end of the school day, and I saw children running away. Frankly, I did not think that was a good method, but they were desperate too. There was a risk of infectious diseases being brought in from Malaysia and other countries, and they probably had no choice but to respond. Today, there is almost no need to use swing fog in Japan.
Were there investigations and regulations regarding insecticides in Japan?
Yes, there were. Later, the Environmental Agency (now the Ministry of the Environment) launched a research project called "SPEED '98" to examine 65 chemical substances for their environmental hormone effects. Insecticides such as Marathon, Permethrin, and Cypermethrin, which we were using, were also included in the survey. There was some concern that this could be the end of the industry, but as a result, it was concluded that there was no danger of human extinction.
But were there still voices of concern?
Yes, there were. What came out after that was the problem of so-called "chemical sensitivity.” In Japan, it was recognized as a type of "sick building syndrome.” However, the cause and the mechanism of the symptoms are still unclear, and Kitasato University and others are continuing their research, but even among experts there is no consensus.
How has the industry responded to this?
We decided to introduce a new concept called "IPM (Integrated Pest Management). I had been introducing the IPM movement in the U.S. in our journals and other publications, and had suggested that we should follow this approach, and the association agreed, and together with Ikuo Tanaka and others, we established the IPM Committee.
What specific efforts did you make?
We secured research funding, and Mr. Tanaka and I went on a study tour in the United States. We visited San Francisco, New Orleans, and Washington, D.C., gathered information from local PCOs, the Department of Agriculture, and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), and compiled a report that would serve as the Japanese version of IPM guidelines.
Were there any obstacles to the introduction of IPM?
Yes, there were. A misconception spread among some in the building management industry that "IPM = no chemicals = cheaper" and PCO contractors' quotations were beaten down to low prices. This was a reduction in value based on a misconception.
How has the evaluation of insecticides changed today?
As a result of the Ministry of the Environment's (then Ministry of Health and Welfare's) efforts to revise the law, complaints about insecticides have become almost unheard of. Accidents and drug-related injuries are rare, and nowadays, the misuse of insecticides in the home is currently being viewed as a problem.
After that, did you also become involved in infectious disease control?
In 1999, the Infectious Disease Control Law was revised, and the risk of infectious diseases being brought in from overseas increased due to the increased global movement of people. Therefore, in 1998, we launched the "Infectious Disease Prevention and Sanitation Corps.
Have there been actual cases of dispatch?
Yes, there were. The following year, at the beginning of the New Year, there was an outbreak of avian influenza in Yamaguchi Prefecture, and since then PCOs have been deployed almost every year throughout Japan. In Kumamoto, I was in charge of disinfection during the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, and we worked closely with veterinarians. I think we have now gained a certain level of trust as "essential workers.
I understand that you have also been dispatched to disaster relief operations in the past.
Yes, in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, several members of our association went to the disaster area immediately after the Shinkansen resumed service after the consecutive holidays in May. In the town, fish had washed out of the fish warehouses destroyed by the tsunami and were decomposing, and there was a massive outbreak of insects. In particular, there were concerns about a serious health hazard caused by the Giant fly, an insect that normally lives in the mountains, which had drifted into the town.
What kind of response did you take?
In the end, the government provided a budget of 150 million yen and mobilized 9,000 association members. We gathered personnel and materials from all over Japan and conducted disinfection work along 300 to 400 km of the Tohoku coastline between June and August. Based on our experience at this time, we distributed a PR booklet to municipalities saying, "If a disaster occurs nationwide, MISHOP can respond to it.
Did you also strengthen cooperation with the government?
Yes, we did. For example, when Kochi Prefecture asked us if we could provide support in the event of a tsunami, we responded, "We can provide support from all over Japan," and they were extremely grateful. On the other hand, there were some misunderstandings, such as, "Can you also dispose of the bodies?" We felt that we needed to carefully explain our role.
Did you have any further opportunities to respond to disasters?
Yes, we did. At the time of the Kumamoto earthquake, MISHOP was dispatched at the request of the prefectural government, and we worked in cooperation with prefectural government officials. Unlike the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake, I felt that the association's presence was recognized by the government and respected in the field.
What kind of response was required at COVID-19?
In the early stages of the pandemic, there were many vague requests from governments and companies to "spray something anyway." However, the correct disinfection method according to the route of infection is based on "wiping." However, this awareness was not well spread in the field.
How do you communicate the correct method?
We have an infectious disease specialist in our association, and we have prepared our own textbook that outlines the correct disinfection procedures. We recommend more reliable methods than spraying, such as "using rubber gloves and wiping with the front and back sides of the gloves. However, at the time, information was mixed up, and there were many cases where people misunderstood that spraying was all that was necessary.
What issues do you see with the current public health system?
The number of public health centers and personnel has been decreasing, and the system for dealing with infectious diseases has become weaker. The role of PCOs is expanding, but the institutional design of "who is in charge and to what extent" remains undeveloped.
On the other hand, what is needed to develop the industry as a whole?
People in the industry are working hard on projects of public health. However, that alone is not enough to develop the industry as a whole, and investment is still necessary.
Is there a challenge in securing funding?
Yes, it is. Even when I make a proposal at a board meeting, the conversation often stops the moment I say, "It costs money. .... The challenge is that the industry as a whole does not yet have the awareness that everyone is willing to donate money to improve the situation.
How is your relationship with the government?
We have a relatively good relationship with the government, and we sometimes receive public support. However, we need to be more creative in gaining the understanding and support of the general public and private companies.
For example, what kind of efforts are you making?
We have established a committee under the association to encourage the introduction of new technologies and ideas. However, due to the lack of funds, we are not able to move forward as quickly as we would like.
Besides funding, is there anything else that is important for the industry to move forward?
Also, a willingness to work on new things and actively adopt new technologies is essential. For example, I feel that there is a need to improve skills in the field by inviting external IT and PR experts to teach practical skills such as how to create websites.