Pesticide Being Removed from Pet Flea Collars
Pet Collars Will No Longer Contain Toxic Pesticide Carbaryl in 2010
Nov 10, 2009
In 2005 NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) filed a petition with the EPA to cancel use of carbaryl in pet flea collars due to the high exposures to children and pets. In 2006 all pet products with carbaryl except collars were voluntarily cancelled by manufacturers. Wellmark International was the only remaining manufacturer. NRDC sued EPA in 2007 for unreasonable delay in responding to the petition. EPA denied the petition in 2008.
NRDC released its report named "Poison on Pets II" in 2009 providing documentation of high chemical residue levels on the fur of pets that wore flea collars. Recently, EPA announced that Wellmark International has withdrawn its pet collar uses, effective September, 2010.
NRDC Reports Pet Collars Are Toxic to Both Pets and Humans
The NRDC study indicated that dangerously high levels of pesticide residue can remain on a dog's or cat's fur for weeks after a flea collar is applied. The report found that residues from two pesticides used in flea collars, tetrachlorvinphos and propoxur, among the most dangerous pesticides still legally on the market, were high enough to pose risk to both children and adults who play with their pets. NRDC is now calling on the EPA to ban both these pesticides from pet products.
Carbaryl Used in Flea Control
Carbaryl has a trade name 'Sevin'. It is a broad-spectrum insecticide used on lawns and gardens and agriculture crops that include apples, pecans, grapes, alfalfa, oranges, and corn. About 3.9 million pounds of carbaryl are used annually in the U.S. Agriculture consumes one half of the chemical and the other half is for non-agriculture uses. It is one of the three most commonly used insecticides in the U.S. an estimated annual use of between 10 and 15 million pounds included in the 3.9 million used in agriculture. It is commonly used to control red fire ant populations in the southern states.
Several studies indicate that carbaryl can affect the immune system in animals and insects. These effects however have not been documented in humans. The pesticide is more lethal to insects than in mammals. Areas sprayed with carbaryl have sometimes impacted surrounding honeybee populations. It has been found to be moderately toxic to aquatic organisms such as species of trout and bluegill. It is also moderately toxic to wild bird species such as Canada geese
The Green Way to Prevent Fleas and Ticks on Your Dog
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