Environmental group has a problem with OTC flea products
By Gina Spadafori
October 15, 2008
Shouldn’t come as any surprise that something that’s going to kill a flea has the potential to kill a lot more. That’s why the National Resources Defense Council has put up a special Web site, GreenPaws,org, to bring attention to the problems of pesticide use in, on and around pets. From the site:
Many Americans believe that commercially available pesticides, such as those found in pet products, are tightly regulated by the government. In fact, they are not. Many of the products sold in grocery, drug and pet supply stores, even when applied as instructed on the box, can cause serious health consequences to pets and humans. Just because these products are on store shelves does not mean they are safe.
In 2000, the Natural Resources Defense Council released a groundbreaking report detailing the potential health hazards to humans and pets from dangerous chemicals in flea collars and other flea and tick control products. NRDC was the first to put the individual risk assessments for pesticides from pet products side by side, highlighting the overall risks to children. NRDC found that pet products then on the market could expose adults and children to toxic pesticides at concentrations that exceed the safe levels established by the EPA by 50,000 percent. The report recommended that the EPA ban all products using organophosphates to protect children and pets from short- and long-term health effects associated with these pesticides.
At the time of the report’s release, flea control products on the market included seven specific organophosphate insecticides. Since the report’s release, six of these organophosphates have been banned and removed from the pet market: chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, phosmet, naled, diazinon and malathion. Only one — tetrachlorvinphos — is still found in stores.
NRDC continues to pressure the EPA to ban the last remaining organophosphate insecticide and is calling for the EPA to also ban pet products that contain carbamates — a class of insecticides closely related to organophosphates. Both organophosphates and carbamates work by interfering with the transmission of nerve signals in the brains and nervous systems of insects, pets and humans alike. In overdoses, organophosphates and carbamates can kill people and pets. But even with normal use of flea-control products, pets and children may be in danger.
The site contains not only the full report on why these products — mostly the OTC ones — are a problem for people, pets and the environment, but also information on how you can avoid them and still keep your pet and home free of pests. Check it out.
Organophosphate toxicity was the impetus behind the research into and development of the new generation flea and tick products. I’ve seen plenty of animals suffer its effects.
Moreover, I have no doubt that even low-level exposure to humans would be hazardous when considered in cumulative terms.
Topical products like Frontline and Advantage are FAR safer when it comes to human exposure but long-term effects are potentially an issue—who knows?
There’s just no getting around the fact that these products exist to control what’s currently considered a greater evil: ectoparasites.
But will we be questioning this assertion in years to come. Again, who knows?
Comment by Dr Patty Khuly — October 16, 2008 @ 8:25 am
feh. sounds like fearmongering. Fleas and ticks are evil and deserve to die. I’m willing to accept the risks, for myself, and on behalf of my beleved pets.
Comment by Margaret — October 16, 2008 @ 3:43 pm
Margaret, I guess you’ve never seen a pet die from a reaction to organophosphates. Feh.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — October 16, 2008 @ 5:30 pm
I remember fighting fleas before Frontline. It wasn’t fun, especially with a flea allergic Borzoi. One flea and his quality of life dropped dramatically. I also knew another flea allergic dog whose owner would only use the measures recommended at GreenPaws. That dog was absolutely miserable all the time. I’m glad to see that the highly toxic products are being removed from the market, but before we ban everything let’s look at the whole picture.
Comment by Brenda — October 19, 2008 @ 4:45 pm