18
Dec
EPA to Cancel Dangerous Rodent Poisons: Let’s Show Our Support in the Face of Industry Opposition!
(Beyond Pesticides, December 18, 2012) Certain pesticide manufacturers are gearing up to try to block EPA’s attempts to cancel certain rodent poisons that are known to be hazardous to children and wildlife, including endangered species. After more than a decade of research and review, and an unacceptably high number of poisoning incidents, EPA has acknowledged that certain active ingredients are too dangerous to remain on the market, and is now requiring all remaining over-the-counter rodent control products to be in secured, tamper-resistant bait stations to reduce the incidents of accidental exposure to children. Granular and powdered products will be banned. But certain chemical companies are refusing to comply with EPA’s order and have indicated that they will challenge the agency’s decision.
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Every year, more than 10,000 children are exposed to rodent poison products, and the majority of calls to poison control centers concern children under the age of three. Despite the availability of alternatives, industry is leading a campaign against EPA’s decision, trying to scare communities into believing that they will be overrun with rodents and infested with disease if their products are not used. Meanwhile, less toxic rodent control products and those secured in bait stations are available, effective, and more protective of children, pets and wildlife.
Background
In 2007, EPA proposed a requirement that all over-the-counter rodenticides sold for residential use only be available in tamper-resistant bait stations to reduce the incidents of accidental exposure to children. In 2008, EPA issued its risk mitigation decision to reduce the risks that mouse and rodent poison products pose to children, pets, and non-target wildlife, requiring manufacturers that distributed rodenticides to meet the risk management goals. Those rodenticide manufacturers that failed (refused) to adopt the standards by June 2011 face EPA action to remove and cancel their products.
Here is what you can do”¦
1. Send a letter of support to EPA and ask your member of Congress to stand by EPA’s decision to adopt measures that protect children and wildlife from dangerous rodent poisons.
2. Do not purchase products slated for cancellation: see here for the list.
3. Tell your friends and family that corporate interests must not be allowed to prevail over the health of our children and the environment.
For more information, read Beyond Pesticides recent article in Pesticides and You.
All unattributed positions and opinions in this piece are those of Beyond Pesticides.
Thank you EPA and the animals thank you!
December 18th, 2012 at 2:17 pmCats! why don’t we use cats? There is no way I could even have a garden if I didn’t have cats. My 18 yr old brother cats were getting arthritic and less efficient, and finally died, and suddenly I was overrun with mice, I have chickens and a 50 pound gravity feeders, and if I went in at night, there was a Willard fest. Hundreds of mice eating my chicken feed. I also had them running on the woodwork of my milk parlor, yuck! And they leave a trail of pee. they contaminated every surface I had. I would not have known how well just two cats did. when I finally got young replacement cats, the population was almost instantly back in control. Took about two weeks.
December 19th, 2012 at 2:23 amCould you please tell me if the potency of the consumer d-Con is different than that of the product used by licensed professionals?
January 26th, 2013 at 10:31 pm