WASHINGTON, D.C.- As a result of efforts by Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-Springfield) the Environmental Protection Agency has agreed to investigate the 2003 poisoning of Mr. Dennis Slaugh of Vernal, Utah. Mr. Slaugh was poisoned by an M-44 sodium cyanide capsule device that was placed on federal public lands. The accident occurred when Mr. Slaugh pulled on what he mistook for a survey maker and turned out to be an M-44. The device shot sodium cyanide powder on his face and chest causing him to become violently ill and to this day he suffers from the effects of the poison. It is even likely that his life will be shortened as a result of the incident. In November of this past year, DeFazio sent a letter to the EPA requesting an investigation into Mr. Slaugh's case as well as the use of the poison Compound 1080 and the M-44 device. This letter was written in conjunction with efforts by Predator Defense, a national wildlife advocacy group based in Eugene, OR.

"Compound 1080 and M-44 sodium cyanide capsules are lethal, dangerous, and unnecessary poisons. They pose a very serious threat to our nation's citizens, wildlife, and domesticated animals. I am pleased that the EPA finally is taking a step in the right direction through formally investigating Mr. Slaugh's case," DeFazio said.

Congressman DeFazio has been fighting to ban the use of Compound 1080 and the M-44 device for several years. In 2004, Rep. DeFazio wrote then-Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge and asked him to ban Compound 1080. The Bush Administration failed to act on this request, and in 2005, DeFazio introduced legislation in the United States House of Representatives that would ban this lethal poison. Unfortunately, the Republican Congress failed to act on the legislation before the completion of the 109th Congress. Since then, DeFazio has written numerous letters to the EPA and other federal agencies urging them to utilize their authority to ban Compound 1080 because of its deadly nature. DeFazio’s most recent action, the introduction of HR 4775, the Compound 1080 and M-44 Elimination Act, would halt the legal use of the lethal poisons once and for all.

"Both of these poisons have been called "super poisons" by the FBI, and have been cited as lethal toxins likely to be used by terrorists to harm Americans" DeFazio said. "These poisons have sickened dozens of humans, and have killed many more pets and wildlife over the years. It is long passed time that we halt their use permanently."