The EPA has denied the National Resources Defense Council’s (NRDC) 2009 petition seeking to cancel all pet uses of the toxic chemical tetrachlovinphos (TCVP). The NRDC requested to cancel all uses because of the health risk it poses to children.
What Is TCVP?
TCVP is an organophosphate pesticide used to kill fleas and ticks and is a likely human carcinogen which can be lethal to the nervous system. An essential enzyme called acetylcholinesterase (AChE), normally controls messaging between nerve cells, is disrupted when TCVP interferes. At lower ends of exposure TCVP can cause a number of poisoning symptoms, which may also mimic common illnesses including:
- Tearing eyes
- Sweating
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Nausea
More severe poisoning can cause:
- Muscle twitching
- Seizures
- Respiratory paralysis
- Drooling
- Death
TCVP is used in pet flea collars and tick collars along with shampoos and powders. Flea and tick collars leave high levels of pesticide residue on a pets fur posing a health risk to adults and children who play with the pet. Since children are more likely to spend an extended time in close contact with pets they are especially vulnerable.
Why is this Pesticide Dangerous?
Recent research shows that exposure to this type of pesticide can impair a child’s neurological development. Resulting in disorders that may cause delays in motor development and attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder. Chemicals that interfere with the nervous system during development may cause long-term or permanent damage.
EPA Denies NDRC Petition
NRDC says that the EPA dragged this issue for nearly a decade. In February 2014, NRDC filed a lawsuit against EPA to force the agency to respond to their petition to cancel use of the chemicals propoxur and TCVP because of the risk it poses to children. While the EPA came to an agreement with Sergeant’s Pet Care Products to cancel propoxur, it did not include TCVP.
