Premarin is a poison, neurotoxin, no allowed in Canada. Six Caminos no problems I’ll take my chances without.
Yes, permethrin is a poison, but it is
not toxic to humans in the quantities one is exposed to through contact if one follows simple precautions. Largely that is not to expose moist parts of the body, ie eyes, nose, mouth and genitals, to direct contact with permethrin treated clothing and equipment. That can be as simple as wearing untreated underwear, not covering one's head with treated bedding, and not kissing one's pack before retiring for the night!
Applying permethrin in solution as a spray or dip requires caution, and one should follow the instructions, both for one's own protection, that of others and of the environment. From what I have read, it is not a persistent pollutant, although it might take some time to degrade. Care needs to be taken to dispose of any residual solution, and in the disposal of gloves or other protective materials used.
Once fabric is treated, the effectiveness of the treatment will be reduced by machine washing. For sprayed items, I have seen figures of as few as six washes being sufficient to make re-treatment necessary. I don't recall ever seeing a figure for the how many hand washes it might take. The product that I use is applied by soaking, and claims to be effective for approximately six months.
As for its use in Canada, much touted by some of the Canadians here as being permethrin free, so far as I can tell it is used in medicines approved by Health Canada for treating lice and scabies, for veterinary use as a pesticide treatment for dogs, and for agricultural use. Other countries might have approved a broader range of uses, such as for treating clothing, that have not been approved in Canada. I would speculate that importing unlicensed products or off-label use of licensed products will be an offence, as one might expect for any poison, not just permethrin. I would also be speculating about the extent to which Canadian Health authorities pursue these matters.
For the OP, in relation to the camino and protection from bed bugs, I would not recommend treating clothing, only one's sleeping bag liner and pack. Alternatively, buy a treated sheet and just treat your pack. My reasoning for this is that bed bugs are not a day-time problem, and treating the clothing one wears during the day and not at night will have no purpose. Treating one's sleeping bag is an option, but I don't do that myself, relying only on having a treated liner.
Of course, choosing not to treat at all is always an option, as is choosing to use less effective insecticides. But if one does, justifying that with the rather forced arguments that regularly get aired here is rarely rational. It's a personal choice - just make it.
