The <a href="http://www.epa.gov/">U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)</a> has recently decided to <a href="http://www.nrdc.org/media/2014/140314a.asp">ban the use of toxic chemical propoxur in flea collars</a>. <a href="http://www.nrdc.org/living/chemicalindex/propoxur.asp">Propoxur</a> is a known neurotoxin and carcinogen that causes brain and nervous system damage in children. The EPA has come to an agreement with major pet companies that allows <a href="http://www.sergeants.com/">Sergeant’s Pet Care Products, Inc.</a> and <a href="http://www.centrallifesciences.com/">Wellmark International </a>to produce pet collars with propoxur until April 2015 and allows companies to distribute these collars until April, 2016. Although this is a significant step, the EPA’s gradual removal and extended phase-out means your pet and family members could still be at risk for several years. Furthermore, this new agreement does not prevent companies from using other toxic chemicals such as <a href="http://www.nrdc.org/living/chemicalindex/tetrachlorvinphos.asp">tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP)</a> in flea collars<a href="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/dogs-and-cats.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-1686 size-medium" src="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/dogs-and-cats-300x199.jpg" alt="dogs and cats" width="300" height="199" /></a>.

Flea and tick pesticides like propoxur and TCVP can be harmful to pets and the humans who own them. Use safer pesticide alternatives like flea and tick products containing <a href="http://www.vetstreet.com/lufenuron-rx-and-otc">Lufenuron</a>, <a href="http://www.petarmor.com/product_dogs/petarmor-fastcaps-nitenpyram-2/">Nitenpyram</a>, and <a href="http://www.vetstreet.com/fipronil--s-methoprene-for-dogs">S-Methoprene </a>to decrease your pet and family member’s exposure to harmful pesticides. Or, use pesticide-free options such as bathing your pet regularly, routinely washing pet bedding and surrounding area, vacuuming, and using a <a href="http://www.petsmart.com/dog/brushes-combs-blow-dryers/top-paw-easy-grip-flea-dog-comb-zid36-5148208/cat-36-catid-100097">flea comb </a>on your pet to eliminate your exposure to flea and tick pesticides.

If you suspect your pet is suffering from pesticide poisoning, contact the <a href="http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control">Animal Poison Control Center </a>at (888)426-4435. For more information on what you can do to protect your pet and family from harmful pesticides, check out MPAC’s <a href="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/MPAC-Pets-and-Pesticides-TU.pdf"><em>Pets and Pesticides </em></a>factsheet.