SALT LAKE CITY — Federal officials have moved quickly to clamp down on the use of potent rodent-killing pesticides after one was linked to the deaths of two Utah girls earlier this year.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said aluminum and magnesium fumigants can no longer be used near homes. The agency added other regulations about where they can be used outside.

EPA officials said Thursday they had planned to review the pesticides as part of normal procedures.

Rebecca Toone, 4, and her 15-month-old sister, Rachel, died in February after an exterminator treated their yard with poison-laced pellets used to kill rodents.

 


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