EPA warns of illegal pesticide sold online

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday that it has warned more than 2,800 U.S. customers that they bought an ant-control product online containing an illegal, harmful pesticide.

The product, Fast Ant Bait, contained mirex, a pesticide that was banned in 1978 because it can cause liver, skin, reproductive and nerve damage, according to EPA, which said it was sold online through fastpestcontrol.com.

"Illegal pesticides are often much more toxic than approved pesticides," said EPA's Steve Owens in a statement. "Consumers should use only EPA-registered pesticides and always follow the label directions to ensure their safety."

EPA said it learned of the product from the Washington State Department of Health, which reported that a woman became ill after using it in her home. It said it identified and warned three online companies -- 2Checkout.com Inc., CCNow, Inc. and eBay Inc. -- to stop selling the China-made product.