8 OF 12 currently manufactured Reckitt Corporation d-Con rodenticides that are being phased out by the Environmental Protection Agency (final distribution to retailers of these now banned poisons effective March 31, 2015) pose severe risks to wildlife.........These second-generation anticoagulants are more toxic and persistent than first-generation anticoagulants............ Rodents can consume a lethal dose of second-generation anticoagulants in one night of feeding but can consume more because death usually occurs 5-7 days after a lethal dose is consumed.............. Risk to wildlife(carnivores and scavengers) is higher because the amount of poison rodents consume over several days is greater and second-generation anticoagulants persist in rodent carcasses much longer than first-generation anticoagulants. .......The now banned products subject to this action are the only currently registered rat and mouse poison products that do not meet the standards EPA announced in 2008.............. With this action, as of January 1, 2015, all registered consumer use rat and mouse poisons will conform to EPA’s 2008 Risk Mitigation Decision, a major step forward in keeping our mesocarviores (Bobcats, Lynx, Coyotes and Birds of Prey) healthy and able to live out their normal lifespans

http://www2.epa.gov/rodenticides/canceling-some-d-con-mouse-and-rat-control-products

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REACHES A NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT
WITH RODENTICIDE MANUFACTURER TO REFORMULATE THEIR POISONS

Canceling Some d-CON Mouse and Rat Control Products

EPA has reached agreement with Reckitt Benckiser, the manufacturer, to cancel 12 d-CON rat and mouse poison products, listed in the table below, which will help prevent risks to children, pets and wildlife. 

On this page:

• Basic information on the cancellation
• 12 d-CON products being canceled and phased out
• Additional details about implementing the cancellation​

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Basic Information on the Cancellation

Types of Rodenticides

There are three types of rodenticide products.

First-generation anticoagulants usually require multiple feedings by rodents to deliver a lethal dose. Death generally occurs within 5-7 days. Anticoagulants interfere with blood clotting, and death can result from excessive bleeding.

Second-generation anticoagulants are more toxic and persistent than first-generation anticoagulants. Rodents can consume a lethal dose of second-generation anticoagulants in one night of feeding but can consume more because death usually occurs 5-7 days after a lethal dose is consumed. Risk to predators and scavengers is higher because the amount of poison rodents consume over several days is greater, and second-generation anticoagulants persist in rodent carcasses much longer than first-generation anticoagulants. Brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum, and difethialone are second-generation anticoagulants.

Non-anticoagulants are toxic in other ways, such as affecting the nerves or other body organs.

The 12 d-CON products being canceled do not meet EPA’s current safety standards. All 12 of the products are sold without a protective bait station. Bait stations are required for consumer products to protect children and pets from contact with bait pellets. Also, 8 of the 12 products contain second generation anticoagulants pesticides that pose unacceptable risks to non-target wildlife.

PICTURES BELOW OF ANIMALS WITH MANGE

CONTRACTED THROUGH INGESTING 2ND

GERNERATION ANTICOAGULANTS VIA 

KILLING AND EATING POISONED RODENTS

1. Bobcat

2 Coyote with poisoned rodent

3 Coyote 

4 Coyote

5 Wolf

6 Puma

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Based on the agreement, Reckitt will begin to phase out production of the 12 d-CON rat and mouse poison products in June 2014. Production of these products will stop by December 31, 2014. Distribution to retailers will end by March 31, 2015. The timeline is likely to be considerably faster than would be achieved by the required administrative process. 

Mouse and rat poison products meeting our safety criteria are now widely available, effective, and affordable, and pose significantly less risk to people, pets, and wildlife such as mountain lions, eagles and foxes.

See list of bait stations for household use.

More information about safety measures and risk concerns for rodent control products is available in the Risk Mitigation Decision for Ten Rodenticides.

12 d-CON Products Being Canceled and Phased Out

Product Name	EPA Registration No.
d-CON Concentrate Kills Rats & Mice	3282-3
d-CON Ready Mixed Kills Rats & Mice	3282-4
d-CON Mouse Prufe Kills Mice	3282-9
d-CON Pellets Kills Rats & Mice	3282-15
d-CON Mouse Prufe II	3282-65
d-CON Pellets Generation II	3282-66
d-CON Bait Pellets II	3282-74
d-CON Ready Mixed Generation II	3282-81
d-CON Mouse-Prufe III	3282-85
d-CON Bait Pellets III	3282-86
d-CON II Ready Mix Baitbits III	3282-87
d-CON Bait Packs III	3282-88

Additional Details about Implementing the Cancellation

How does Reckitt’s decision to cancel these products affect the ongoing cancellation proceeding? 

The EPA had previously made the determination that 12 products produced by Reckitt did not comply with current safety standards and issued a Notice of Intent to Cancel these products in February 2013. Reckitt exercised its right to contest the cancellation through an administrative hearing process. Reckitt’s decision to voluntarily cancel the 12 d-CON products will make the ongoing cancellation proceeding moot. In addition to Reckitt’s decision to voluntarily cancel the 12 d-CON products, Reckitt will no longer pursue its legal challenge of the Agency’s denials of applications for registration of two other d-CON products.

What are the terms of the agreement reached between Reckitt and EPA?

The major provisions of the agreement reached between Reckitt and EPA include the following:

• Reckitt will begin to phase out production of the 12 d-CON rat and mouse poison products in June 2014, and will stop all production by December 31, 2014.
• Reckitt will cease distribution of existing stocks of these products by March 31, 2015.
• During the phase-out period, Reckitt will not stockpile or increase production of the 12 d-CON rat and mouse poison products.  Reckitt will only produce quantities of these products to satisfy previously existing contracts and agreements.
• Retailers will be permitted keep the products on the shelves until stocks are depleted, and end users will be permitted to use them until exhausted.  EPA anticipates that the majority will be sold and used within 3 months or less, though small quantities may persist for a year or so.

​Are these the only rat and mouse poisons that do not comply with EPA’s 2008 standards?

Yes, the products subject to this action are the only currently registered rat and mouse poison products that do not meet the standards EPA announced in 2008. With this action, as of January 1, 2015, all registered consumer use rat and mouse poisons will conform to EPA’s 2008 Risk Mitigation Decision. See a list of consumer-use mouse and rat poison products that meet EPA’s more protective risk reduction goals. 

How long will these products remain on the shelves and available to consumers? 

In most stores, these types of products sell in three months or less. However, some of these products could remain on the shelves of smaller stores for as long as a year or more. The timeline is likely to be considerably faster than would be achieved by the required administrative process.

The state of California has his issued a rule prohibiting sale of several of these d-CON products in California except to certified applicators beginning July 1, 2014.  For more information please visit the California Department of Pesticide Regulation website. Exit 

Can consumers continue to use the product after March 2015?

It will continue to be legal for consumers to use the 12 d-CON mouse and rat poison products, provided they follow all label directions and precautions.  

What advice does EPA have to consumers regarding disposal of any unwanted or unused products?

Consumers who wish to dispose of any of the d-CON mouse and rat poison products listed above should contact their state or local waste disposal program or service for information on proper disposal in their community. These pesticides are harmful to the wildlife, so consumers who have opened containers should not discard them outdoors or dispose of them in sinks or toilets.

Consumers can contact their local government for recommendations on how to dispose of unwanted or unused pesticide products.

Disposal Contacts

• To identify a local solid waste agency, consumers may look in the government section of the phone book under categories such as solid waste, public works or garbage, trash or refuse collection.
• To identify your state pesticide disposal program coordinator, seehttp://www.epa.gov/pesticides/regulating/disposal_contacts.htm
• To identify your state solid or hazardous waste agency, see http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/wyl/stateprograms.htm
• For information on pesticide storage and disposal, see http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/regulating/storage.htm
• Contact Earth 911 at 1-800-Cleanup (253-2687) or http://www.earth911.org/ Exit to obtain community disposal information.