The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency banned 12 rodent poisons made by the United Kingdom-based Reckitt Benckiser Inc. because the products failed to abide by safety regulations, the agency announced Wednesday.

The agency said in a statement it has worked with rodent poison makers to ensure they comply with safety standards, but Reckitt Benckiser, the maker of other products such as Woolite laundry detergent and Clearasil face wash, has refused to abide by regulations.


The British company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“Moving forward to ban these products will prevent completely avoidable risks to children,” said James Jones, acting assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “With this action, EPA is ensuring that the products on the market are both safe and effective for consumers.”


The EPA recently retooled safety standards in 2011 to protect children and pets. The agency said annually about 10,000 children are accidentally exposed to rodent poison.

The agency said rodent poisons must be contained in protective tamper-resistant bait stations and prohibits pellets and other bait forms that cannot be secured in bait stations.


The agency also bans the sale to consumers of products containing anticoagulants because of their danger to wildlife.

Reckitt Benckiser has 30 days to request a hearing to appeal the agency’s ban. Until then, the products will remain on store shelves.


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