{"hq_id":"hq-p-hom-000127","name":"Rat / mouse poison (rodenticide bait block)","category":{"primary":"household","secondary":"pest control","tags":["rodenticide","rat poison","brodifacoum","bromethalin","SGAR","pest control"]},"product_tier":"HOM","overall_risk_level":"extreme","description":"Consumer rodenticide bait blocks or pellets containing second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) such as brodifacoum, or acute neurotoxic rodenticides such as bromethalin. SGARs inhibit vitamin K epoxide reductase, causing fatal internal hemorrhaging 3-7 days post-ingestion. Bromethalin uncouples oxidative phosphorylation, causing cerebral edema. Single-dose lethal to target rodents. Extreme hazard to children, pets, and non-target wildlife. Secondary poisoning of raptors and predators from SGARs is a major ecological concern.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"severe","synthesis_confidence":0.5,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_adult","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":1,"vulnerability_escalated":true,"escalation_reason":"Infant exposure group","compounds_resolved":2,"compounds_total":2,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"child, infant, dog, cat, wildlife","overall_risk":"extreme","primary_concerns":["Single-dose lethality: brodifacoum causes fatal hemorrhage in children, dogs, and cats from a single ingestion event","No antidote for bromethalin: irreversible cerebral edema once symptoms manifest","Secondary/relay poisoning: SGARs persist in liver tissue; predators consuming poisoned rodents accumulate lethal doses","Delayed symptom onset: 2-5 day delay before hemorrhagic symptoms appear, complicating diagnosis"],"exposure_routes":"ingestion (primary concern)"},"exposure":{"routes":["ingestion"],"contact_types":["oral_direct","oral_incidental"],"users":["adult","child","infant","dog","cat"],"duration":"acute","frequency":"single_exposure","scenarios":["Child finding and eating bait block","Dog consuming bait from unsecured station","Cat catching and eating poisoned rodent (secondary exposure)","Raptor/owl consuming poisoned rodent (ecological relay)"],"notes":"Brodifacoum is lethal at extremely low doses. A single bait block contains enough brodifacoum to kill a large dog. Symptoms may be delayed 1-5 days (anticoagulants) making early intervention critical."},"consumer_guidance":{"red_flags":[{"indicator":"Loose bait blocks without tamper-resistant station","meaning":"Extreme ingestion risk to children and pets","action":"ONLY use in EPA-approved tamper-resistant bait stations; consider professional pest control"}],"green_flags":[],"what_to_ask":[],"alternatives":[{"name":"Snap traps (modern enclosed designs)","notes":"Kill traps with no poison; eliminate secondary poisoning risk; enclosed designs reduce child/pet contact"},{"name":"Professional pest control (IPM approach)","notes":"Licensed applicators can use targeted methods with proper placement and monitoring"}],"notes":null},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"EPA FIFRA — Restricted Use Pesticide (some SGARs)","citation":null,"requirements":"Consumer-use SGARs restricted to tamper-resistant bait stations since 2011 EPA risk mitigation decision.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":"2011","enforcing_agency":"EPA","penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"California SGAR restrictions","citation":null,"requirements":"AB 1788 (2020): SGARs banned for most non-agricultural consumer use in California.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":"2021","enforcing_agency":"CDPR","penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":["EPA registration number","Active ingredient and concentration","Signal word (DANGER or WARNING)"],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":"DANGER","pictograms":["skull_crossbones","environment"],"hazard_statements":["Fatal if swallowed","Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects"],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":false,"disposal_guidance":"Hazardous waste disposal required","hazardous_waste":true,"expected_lifespan":"1-2_years"},"formulation":{"form":"solid_bait_block","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000071","name":"Brodifacoum","role":"active_rodenticide","concentration_pct":"0.005"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000072","name":"Bromethalin","role":"active_rodenticide_alt","concentration_pct":"0.01"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Grain-based bait matrix (wheat, oats)","role":"attractant","concentration_pct":"95-99"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Paraffin wax","role":"moisture_resistance","concentration_pct":"3-5"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Denatonium benzoate (Bitrex)","role":"bittering_agent","concentration_pct":"0.001"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000071","compound_name":"Brodifacoum","role":"active_rodenticide","typical_concentration":null},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000072","compound_name":"Bromethalin","role":"active_rodenticide_alt","typical_concentration":null}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["rat poison","mouse poison","rodenticide","rat bait","mouse bait"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand A","manufacturer":"Consumer Products Corporation","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Widely available mass-market option"},{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand B","manufacturer":"Consumer Goods Ltd","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Popular budget alternative"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-24"},{"type":"regulation","title":"EPA FIFRA — Restricted Use Pesticide (some SGARs)","jurisdiction":"USA","year":2011,"id":"src_c397e4e6"},{"type":"regulation","title":"California SGAR restrictions","jurisdiction":"USA","year":2021,"id":"src_2e8dc33f"},{"id":"epa_sgar_2008","type":"regulatory","title":"US EPA: Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for Rodenticides — Second Generation Anticoagulants (Brodifacoum, Bromadiolone, Difethialone, Difenacoum)","year":2008,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000071"},{"id":"aspca_brodifacoum","type":"report","title":"ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Anticoagulant Rodenticide Toxicosis in Companion Animals — Clinical Management and Prognosis","year":2022,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000071"},{"id":"aspca_bromethalin","type":"report","title":"ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Bromethalin Rodenticide Toxicosis — Recognition, Management and Prognosis in Companion Animals","year":2022,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000072"},{"id":"epa_bromethalin_reg","type":"regulatory","title":"US EPA: Bromethalin — Registration Eligibility Decision and Risk Assessment","year":2013,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000072"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-24","timestamp":"2026-05-14T01:26:30.172Z"}}