EZ activism: Tell the EPA to protect kids from toxic pesticides in pet flea collars

[Guest guest]

Have had a lot of success with these quick online petitions. The numbers get attention. Protect the already compromised kids, those who choose.... The word is getting out, but there need to be millions more demanding nontoxic US_made natural products from major companies with their advertising and legal dollars versus the billions of dollars of US GNP lost due to chemical injuries and aggravations of mixed causes. With enough networking these millions of activists will turn the tide to green dollars and a renewed US economy. PS: food grade diatomaceous earth rules as an insect killer (fleas, ticks, many others) in home, yard, pantry, outdoors activities.----- Forwarded Message ----To: ecoartist1@...Sent: Tue, January 18, 2011 4:34:02 PMSubject: Tell the EPA to protect kids from toxic pesticides in pet flea collars

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Learn more about toxic pet products, as well as safer methods of flea and tick control, at Miriam Rotkin-Ellman's blog on Switchboard.

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January 18, 2011

Tell the EPA to protect kids from toxic pesticides in pet flea collars

Fleas and ticks are a nuisance, and they can even be a health hazard. Even though we have many available options for controlling fleas and ticks without resorting to dangerous chemicals, the Environmental Protection Agency still allows some harmful pesticides to be used in flea collars.

Flea collars with the pesticide propoxur are a particular problem because of the toxicity of the chemical and the ease with which children can be exposed. The collars are designed to gradually release a pesticide residue onto the fur of a dog or cat, which can pose a risk to pet owners, particularly children. These collars remain on the market despite assessments by the EPA and NRDC that demonstrate a high level of risk for young children.

Propoxur is toxic to the nervous system and can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, wheezing, sweating and tearing eyes; it is also known to cause cancer. Severe poisoning can cause muscle twitching, seizures, respiratory paralysis and even death. Young children are particularly susceptible to pesticides' effects because their nervous systems and brains are still developing, and their ability to metabolize these chemicals is weaker than that of adults. In addition, kids often put their hands in their mouths after petting an animal, and so are more likely to ingest the hazardous residues.

NRDC has repeatedly petitioned the EPA to ban the use of propoxur in flea collars based on the agency's flawed assessment of risks and an independent study that found dangerous levels of pesticide residue on the fur of dogs treated with propoxur flea collars. In response, the EPA conducted its own risk assessment and this time also found high levels of risk for children.

What to do

Send a message urging the EPA to follow the science and protect children by banning this dangerous and unnecessary chemical in flea collars.

GE to finally complete cleanup of toxic PCBs from Hudson River

In early December, we asked you to urge the EPA not to let General Electric forgo its responsibility to complete the cleanup of the toxic PCBs it had dumped into the Hudson River. The EPA got the message, and on December 17th announced its requirements for the final phase of the cleanup; a week later GE agreed to the terms of the plan and committed to finishing the job. The final plan is a compromise that gives significant concessions to GE but will nevertheless result in major improvements in the health of the river. Thanks to everyone who took action, we can now look forward to a day when the river's fish are once again safe to eat and the Hudson is restored to its full glory.

New strict pollution limits for Chesapeake Bay

In November you sent thousands of comments urging the Environmental Protection Agency to adopt a strong, legally enforceable cleanup plan for the troubled Chesapeake Bay. On December 29th the agency announced the largest water pollution strategy plan in the nation, spelling out steps that six states and Washington, DC must take to put the bay on the path to recovery. The plan limits how much pollution can flow into the Chesapeake each day from farms, sewage treatment plants, and urban and suburban areas. Thanks (and congratulations!) to everyone who helped win these historic protections for America's largest estuary.

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