Toxic pet flea and tick treatments are polluting UK freshwaters, says paper

Parasiticides are commonly applied as 'spot-on' treatments on dogs and cats to prevent or kill fleas or ticks, but they contain toxic chemicals that are making it into UK rivers and ponds, particularly in urban areas. In a new briefing paper, Imperial College London researchers say the evidence points to an urgent need to review risk assessments and prescribing practices for these chemicals.