Flea Collar Carcinogen Canceled
Published:
October 22, 2009
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No pet owner wants to see his cat or dog suffer from fleas, much less have fleas in the home. But in some cases the treatment can be worse than the illness, so it is with some relief that we heard yesterday’s EPA announcement that carbaryl will no longer be allowed for use in flea collars. In 2005 NRDC petitioned the EPA to end the use of carbaryl in flea collars, but the petition was denied in 2008, making this new development a welcome surprise.
Carbaryl, a likely human carcinogen, has already been voluntarily removed from use in flea dips, powders and other pet products, but Wellmark, a collar manufacturer, continued its use—and will do so until September 2010.
So now is not the time to pick up Wellmark collars for your pets. In fact, using chemical-free methods such as flea combs and soapy baths should be your first choice in protecting your beasts. If your veterinarian recommends chemicals because your pet suffers from flea allergies, or if other methods have failed, ask about those listed as safer in the Green Paws product guide.
Though carbaryl is being cancelled for use in flea collars, it isn’t going away anytime soon. Under the trade name Sevin, it is widely used on lawns and gardens as well as some fruit crops and grains. Children may be as much exposed playing on the lawn as they would be hugging a freshly dipped dog. Not only is carbaryl a likely carcinogen, but it is also toxic to the nervous system, causing nausea and dizziness, and it may be fatal at high exposures. But there are ways to stay safe.
To avoid exposure to carbaryl and other pesticides:
Buy organic fruits and vegetables, especially your kids’ favorites. Berries, stone fruits and leafy greens tend to carry the most pesticide residue. See Choose Organic Produce Where It Matters Most.
Wash all produce thoroughly before you eat it.
Avoid using Sevin on your lawn or in your garden. Reduce pests using non-chemical techniques. See Avoid Using Toxins in the Garden. Reduce Pests the Organic Way, and test your pest know-how with our quiz What’s Crawling in Your Garden?
Avoid Wellmark pet flea collars containing carbaryl, which will remain on sale for another 11 months. See www.greenpaws.org for more information on safe pet care.
Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/steelheadwill/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
