The EPA plans to develop more stringent testing and evaluation requirements for both existing and new products.(Photo courtesy of Isiegert CC-2.0)
Tens of thousands of pets are getting sick when their owners use flea and tick pesticides the wrong way. The Environmental Protection Agency wants the companies to change the directions on the labels. Rebecca Williams has more:
Transcript
Tens of thousands of pets are getting sick when their owners use flea and tick pesticides the wrong way. The Environmental Protection Agency wants the companies to change the directions on the labels. Rebecca Williams has more:
EPA officials are concerned about spot-on pesticides for fleas and ticks – the drops you put on your pet’s back.
EPA has been investigating these products because of a recent huge jump in reports of negative effects on pets. Most are mild… such as skin irritation. But there have also been reports of vomiting, seizures and in some cases, death.
Steve Owens is with the EPA. He says these products are poisons. And he says the labels are not always clear.
“The consumers in many cases were left to guess for themselves the appropriate amount to be used on their particular pet.”
The EPA is working with companies to put more detailed directions on the labels.
In the meantime, Owens says you should be really careful about reading the directions. He says it’s especially important not to use dog products on cats.
For The Environment Report, I’m Rebecca Williams.