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EPA Requires Safety Measures for Rodent-Control Products to Protect Children and Wildlife

Release Date: 05/29/2008
Contact Information: Dale Kemery, (202) 564-4355 / kemery.dale@epa.gov; En español: Lina Younes, (202) 564-4355 / younes.lina@epa.gov

(Washington, D.C. - May 29, 2008) New safety measures announced today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will protect children from accidental exposure to rodent-control products. These measures will also reduce the risk of accidental poisonings of pets and wildlife. EPA is requiring that ten rodenticides used in bait products marketed to consumers be enclosed in bait stations, making the pesticide inaccessible to children and pets, and is also prohibiting the sale of loose bait, such as pellets, for use in homes.

"The new restrictions will better protect our children, pets and wildlife from thousands of accidental exposures that occur every year," said EPA Assistant Administrator Jim Gulliford. "These practical and low cost measures provide protection while ensuring rodent control products will continue to be effective and affordable for all consumers."

Rodenticide products containing brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difethialone and difenacoum are known to pose the greatest risk to wildlife and will no longer be allowed to be sold or distributed in the consumer market. Bait stations will be required for all outdoor, above-ground uses for products containing these ingredients. EPA believes that these steps will significantly reduce the amount of product in the environment, providing additional protection for wildlife from poisonings by these more toxic and persistent products.

EPA is requiring that companies manufacturing these products respond to EPA within 90 days regarding their intention to comply with the new requirements. Over the past 10 years, EPA has used a public process and rigorous scientific information to evaluate and address the risks associated with use of the rodenticides as part of the EPA's mandate to ensure that all pesticides meet current health and safety standards. For additional information, visit: epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/rodenticides/finalriskdecision.htm