Like farm crops, pets get poisoned
While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency mulls over the 42,000 letters sent from Earthjustice supporters and others who expressed support for safety standards protecting rural kids from pesticides, it's important to remember that pesticides aren't just limited to the fields.
Every spring, pet owners slick the backs of their dogs and cats with over-the-counter treatments designed to keep fleas and ticks at bay. The problem is that these treatments, which are also found stocked on shelves of pet stores nationwide in the spray, collar and shampoo form, contain toxic pesticides. Think of it as your very own bottle-o-poison.
The EPA has been keeping a watchdog's eye on these so-called spot-on treatments due to an increase in incident reports where pets have experienced adverse reactions that range from mild to downright serious.
According to the EPA, in 2008 there were more than 44,000 incidents reported from customers who used these treatment products. Of those, 600 cats and dogs died. Little dogs were the most affected, as were dogs less than three years old. A number of cat incidents were also attributed to dog products either because the cat was intentionally or unintentionally treated with a dog product, or because the cat was exposed to a treated dog.
The good news is that the EPA has announced that it will call for tighter regulations for spot-on treatments, such as standardized reporting and pre-market clinical trials for new products. The agency also plans to work with manufacturers to make labels clearer and to address the issue of proper dosage for smaller pets.
In the meantime, pet owners can limit pesticide exposure to their pets and themselves by looking into the many non-toxic options available for keeping fleas and ticks off their domesticated friends. Owners should also read flea treatment labels carefully and check with their veterinarians to make sure they're using the right products on their pets.
More Reads:
Pet flea treatments can be dangerous, more safety steps in the works, EPA says (Environmental Health News)
Taking care of fleas and ticks on your pets (EPA)
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We are having our apartment treated for ants. Today the exterminator came and put a spray all along the baseboards of each room.
We made sure to ask him if it was safe for Sharmir (4 1/2 months Rat Terrier girl) and he said yes. However, he did seem a little flaky so I'm not quite sure! Also, a friend of ours also had a mini schnauzer die and his Rottweiler become ill after his home was treated, but I think it was a different kind of treatment... However, the exterminator had also assured him it was safe.
Right now we have her crated away from all the baseboards, in a room with the fan going and the window open for good ventilation.
I'm just making sure he just wasn't saying what I wanted to hear...
When would it be okay to let her out to have full roam of the apartment? We also have the option of visiting my in-laws and 2 year old nephew... Sharmir's best friend in the world!
Very interesting article, I'll use the custom writing agency to help me to write a paper on it.
On March 17, the EPA announced the results of its year-long investigation of spot-on pet products, and put forth a proposal to make spot-on products safer for pets. The proposal includes label changes and stricter regulations for spot-on products, including requiring pre-market clinical trails, post-market surveillance, and more comprehensive companion animal safety studies.
For more information on the EPA’s proposal, go to:
http://www.biospotvictims.org/EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0229-0025.pdf
This action is long overdue, however, there is a possibility that it will never happen because the pet pesticide manufacturers are opposed to stricter regulation of their industry!
The EPA wants to know what YOU think about its plan to make spot-on products safer for pets. To submit comments to the EPA, go to:
http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#submitComment?R=0900006...
The fate of EPA’s proposal to make spot-on products safer for pets may largely depend on comments from the public, which includes the pet pesticide manufacturers and YOU!
Comments must be submitted by 5/17/10.
Thank you for writing about this important issue.
Many pet owners are not aware that spot-on flea and tick products contain enough pesticide to cause seizures or death in pets, and neurodevelopmental disorders in young children. According to EPA risk assessments, pets treated with spot-on products are one of the most dangerous exposure scenarios for toddlers. The pesticides in these products end up in streams and rivers, and are very damaging to the environment.
The EPA has proposed stricter regulation of spot-on products, including requiring pre-market clinical trials, post-market surveillance, and more comprehensive companion animal safety studies, but the pesticide industry is opposed to these new data requirements! Even with stricter regulation, these products will still pose ecological and human health risks.
The EPA is currently seeking public comment on its plan to make spot-on products safer for pets. If anyone would like to submit a comment, please go to:
http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#submitComment?R=0900006...
Unfortunately, only ONE COMMENT has been submitted to the EPA so far. I hope that Earthjustice supporters and others will take a few minutes and let the EPA know that poisoning children and pets with dangerous spot-on products is totally unacceptable. Comments must be submitted by 5/17/10.
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