Showing posts with label Pets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pets. Show all posts

Toxic Pet Product Manufacturers

Monday, January 3, 2011

The Natural Resources Defense Council has filed a lawsuit in California against pet product retailers and manufacturers for illegally selling pet products containing a known cancer-causing chemical called propoxur without proper warning labels.NRDC identified high levels of propoxur and tetrachlorvinphos, TCVP, another carcinogenic neurotoxin common in household pet products, on pet fur after use of ordinary flea collars.
Dr. Gina Solomon, NRDC senior scientist and physician. "Under California law, consumers have a right to know if a flea control product exposes them to health risks before they buy it.
California Superior Court in Alameda County against 16 retailers and manufacturers including Petsmart, PetCo, and Petstore.com, for failing to comply with California's Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, known as Proposition 65, which prohibits businesses from knowingly exposing consumers without proper warning to any chemical "known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive harm.which should have been labeled with a warning as of August 11, 2007.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, calling for the removal of these chemicals from pet products. The federal agency is accepting public comments on the petition through June 8, 2009. said Miriam Rotkin-Ellman, NRDC scientist. "There is no reason to use carcinogens and neurotoxins to fight fleas and ticks when there are other safer and effective treatments available.The NRDC warns that children are particularly at risk from these pesticides because their neurological and metabolic systems are still developing. They are also more likely than adults to put their hands in their mouths after petting an animal.
NRDC tested the fur of dogs and cats wearing flea collars to measure pesticide residues left on the pets from these collars. This analysis, which was the first study of propoxur residues on pet's fur, found that propoxur levels are so high in some products that they pose a cancer risk in children that is up to 1,000 times higher than the EPA's acceptable levels.
100 percent of the pets wearing collars containing propoxur and 50 percent of the pets wearing collars with TCVP posed a significant neurological risk to toddlers.Families with multiple pets that wear flea collars have even greater exposure risks.NRDC's groundbreaking 2000 report "Poison on Pets" led to the ban of six other pesticides in pet products, but products containing TCVP and propoxur are still on store shelves.as well as vacuuming and washing of their bedding regularly. If chemical-based flea control is necessary, the safest options often containing the least toxic chemicals are those dispensed by pill.
The U.S. EPA is intensifying its evaluation of spot-on pesticide products for flea and tick control for pets due to recent increases in the number of reported incidents, the agency announced April 16. Adverse reactions reported range from mild effects such as skin irritation to more serious effects such as seizures and, in some cases.
This advisory pertains only to EPA-registered spot-on flea and tick products; these products have an EPA registration number on the label.

New Steps to Protect American Children from Lead Poisoning

EPA provided steps to raise awareness about the toxicity of lead-based products and how they are particularly dangerous to children. "Lead is still present in many of our neighborhoods, but we can limit exposure to children and adults by working together on comprehensive actions.
EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “We're committed to giving our nation’s children the fullest protection possible, and giving parents clear assurance that their children are safe from harm.
EPA, the catalyst for pushing for tougher standards and better eduction regarding the dangers of lead-based products, came from a 2008 settlement in which the Sierra Club, the New York City Coalition to End Lead Poisoning and others had taken part. This settlement calls for "lead safe work practices during repair, remodeling and renovations" with the goal of reducing the chances of individuals coming into contact with lead-based paints.
 1995 and 2000, children of minorities made up 94% of the reports of lead-poisoning. These children were at risk of developing learning disabilities, nervous system disorders, high blood pressure, behavioral problems and even reproductive problems later in life.
Lead-filled air is likely to be prevalent in buildings undergoing repair, remodeling and repainting—where previous layers of paint are removed before new layers of paint are applied. This same dust can enter the lungs of workers and inhabitants of dwellings where lead paint is present. The dangerous dust is also said to be likely to land on exposed food, clothing, furniture, carpeting and more where it can be ingested or come into further contact with small children.
EPA is proposing that homes built before 1978 undergo inspections to test for lead levels in dust. The EPA considers testing homes built after 1978 to be unnecessary since lead paint was banned for residential use at that time.
Ecology Center and other non-profit organizations—the EPA will seek a ban on the use of lead in tire weights used to balance tires. According to the EPA, 2,000 tons of lead are released into the environment each year from tire weights that fall off of vehicles while in transit, The winning video will offer the best and most comprehensive education to the public about how to avoid lead poisoning.