After decades of study, the Environmental Protection Agency is finally moving to ban certain types of super-toxic rodenticides that poison wildlife, pets and children. Every year, rare species like the San Joaquin kit fox, bobcat and great horned owl are poisoned when they consume rodents containing rat and mouse poison.
Our families and children are also sickened by wayward "loose" poison pellets. Safer and lower-cost alternatives exist -- such as adding tamper-resistant bait stations and using less toxic products.
But even these small steps to reduce human and animal poisoning are too much for some rat-poison manufacturers, three of which are leading the charge to thwart the EPA's ban on this unnecessary poisoning caused by products such as d-CON and Hot Shot rodent bait.
Tell the EPA to stand up to pesticide manufacturers Reckitt Benckiser, Liphatech and Spectrum Brands and get these lethal poisons off the shelves.
SUBJECT: Cancel Dangerous Rodenticides: EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0718, EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0955
Dear [Decision Maker],
I urge the Environmental Protection Agency to cancel all 20 homeowner rodenticide bait products recommended for cancellation in docket numbers EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0718 and EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0955. These rodenticides cause unreasonable harm to the environment and human health.
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Your comments will be added here.]
The EPA has been compiling research since the early '90s on the hazards of these rodenticides and must act now to pull these poisons from the shelves. The agency has provided thorough research on the unnecessary poisonings caused by products such as d-CON and Hot Shot rodent baits. Numerous poisonings occur each year to sensitive wildlife species like San Joaquin kit foxes, bobcats, eagles and owls. Even worse, families are being sickened by "loose" rodent bait eaten by children and pets.
Canceling these dangerous rodenticides also benefits poor and minority communities. Data from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene shows that most rodenticide poisonings occur in low-income groups. Enforcing structural standards for bait stations and pulling the most hazardous products from the market benefits non-English speaking residents who are less likely to understand the language on the required labels.
I urge the EPA to stand up to pressure from rodenticide manufacturers Reckitt Benckiser, Liphatech and Spectrum Brands. These companies have had more than three years to voluntarily update their products and place safer alternatives on the market, but they have refused. Adding tamper-resistant bait stations to products would only cost pennies on the dollar to implement, and there are a number of less toxic alternatives on the market.
Please take action now to cancel the 20 homeowner rodenticide bait products that pose unreasonable danger to the environment and human health.
Thank you.
