Chemicals used in pesticides, rat poisons, and household products are under scrutiny in Connecticut, where lawmakers are considering multiple bills to limit their use due to concerns about their impact on wildlife and human health.
John Moritz reports for The Connecticut Mirror.
In short:
- House Bill 6916 aims to ban neonicotinoid pesticides, which have been linked to declines in pollinators like bees and butterflies.
- House Bill 6915 would further restrict second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, which have been found in birds of prey that consume poisoned rodents.
- Additional legislation targets PFAS chemicals in cookware and 1,4-dioxane, a solvent found in household products and drinking water.
Key quote:
"The legislature has been attempting to rein in the use of these poisons for some years. I’m hoping we get it right in 2025."
— Joe Gresko, Connecticut state representative (D-Stratford)
Why this matters:
Pesticides and rodenticides don’t just target pests — they can harm beneficial wildlife and even make their way into the food chain. Neonicotinoids, linked to bee die-offs, have drawn comparisons to DDT, the infamous pesticide banned in the 1970s. Meanwhile, rodenticides that accumulate in predators like hawks and eagles raise concerns about ecosystem disruptions. The fight over PFAS and 1,4-dioxane highlights growing awareness of chemicals that persist in the environment and affect human health. Connecticut’s proposed bans face pushback from industries that rely on these substances, setting up another battle between environmental health and economic interests.
Read more: Protecting crops with predators instead of poisons
