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. These types of pesticides, as well as pesticides and herbicides used on lawns, can cause health problems and poison pets. 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.