EPA limits use of toxic rat poisons

WASHINGTON, May 29 (UPI) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it's issued a decision that will control the sale and use of rat poisons across the United States.

EPA officials said the landmark decision is aimed at protecting children from accidental exposure to poisons and to protect wildlife from exposure in most situations.

"This is an important victory for child safety and for birds like eagles and hawks," said Dr. Michael Fry, director of the American Bird Conservancy's pesticides and birds program. "Wildlife poisonings have occurred in the past with birds of prey scavenging on dead rodents they find in open areas …"

The EPA said it is requiring 10 rodenticides used in bait products be enclosed in bait stations, making the pesticides inaccessible to children and pets. It is also prohibiting the sale of loose bait, such as pellets, for use in homes.

The 10 rodenticides -- brodifacoum, bromadiolone, bromethalin, chlorophacinone, cholecalciferol, difethialone, difenacoum, diphacinone, warfarin and zinc phosphide -- will no longer be sold or distributed to the consumer market and bait stations will be required for all outdoor, above ground uses for products containing the ingredients.