Washington ( CNN ) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday that it would work to ban the sale of some mouse and rat poisons in a bid to better protect children and pets . The agency in 2008 gave makers of such poisons until last week to research , develop and register new products that would be safer than those that were then on the market . Many companies complied , but some did not . Among the targets are such popular rodent poisons as D-Con , Victor and Hot Shot , the agency said . `` These changes are essential to reduce the thousands of accidental exposures of children that occur every year from rat and mouse control products and also to protect household pets , '' said Steve Owens , assistant administrator for EPA 's office of chemical safety and pollution prevention . `` Today 's action will help keep our children and pets safe from these poisons . '' The EPA said that as many as 15,000 children under the age of 6 are exposed to rat and mouse poisons each year . Children are especially at risk , the agency said , because poisons are often put on the floor and kids will sometimes put bait pellets in their mouths . The sales ban would cover most loose bait and pellet products , the agency said . The EPA also intends to ban the residential sale of poisons that contain certain compounds -- brodifacoum , bromadiolone , difethialone and difenacoum -- because of their toxicity . Professional pest control and agricultural workers would still be allowed to use them , the agency said .
The agency cites a need to better protect children and pets . D-Con , Victor and Hot Shot are among the targeted products . In addition to being used in food packaging, these chemicals have been found in many consumer products, including toothpaste, baby wipes, deodorant, shampoos, detergents, antiperspirants, sunscreen lotions