Washington-The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has tightened restrictions for aluminum and magnesium phosphate products after the deaths of two young sisters in Utah in February. EPA is now requiring clearer label directions and precautions and is strictly prohibiting the chemicals’ use in residential areas in phosphine fumigants, which are highly toxic pesticides and should be handled only by specially trained pesticide applicators. The products must only be used outdoors for control of burrowing pests, and only on agricultural areas, orchards, non-crop areas, golf courses, athletic fields, parks and recreational areas, cemeteries, airports, rights-of-way, earthen dams, and other non-residential sites. Products must not be applied in a burrow system that is within 100 feet of a building that is or may be occupied by people or domestic animals. This buffer zone had previously been 15 feet.
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