Illegal rat poison warning

City health officials are urging New Yorkers to stay away from &#8220Tres Pasitos,” an illegal rat poison that is highly toxic, looks like brown sugar and sesame seeds and can be confused with food. &#8220Tres Pasitos” is making its way through the city, which is causing alarm among elected officials.
The illegal pesticide, produced in the Dominican Republic and Mexico, is being sold in various sections of the city. So far, 15 people, including three children, have been poisoned this year, a 200 percent increase over last year's five cases.
Last month alone, one child and two adults were poisoned, the Health Department said. All made a full recovery.
&#8220Swallowing even a very small amount of ‘Tres Pasitos' can be dangerous, and can cause vomiting, weakness, dizziness, sweating and shortness of breath,” said Robert Hoffman, director of the Health Department's poison control center.
“Tres Pasitos,” which means &#8220three little steps,” the distance rodents supposedly travel before they die after consuming the stuff, is made of small brown grains and packaged in unlabeled containers or clear plastic bags. It usually is made with the chemical aldicarb, an insecticide not approved as a home pesticide because of its potency and risk to children and pets.
The City, which has identified other illegal pesticides, dubbed Miracle Chalk, Tempo and Chinese Chalk, is encouraging people with pest problems to call 212-POISONS, or 212-764-7667.