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EPA cites laboratory for selling biocide without current EPA registration number

Release Date: 10/1/2003
Contact Information: Laura Gentile, Press Office, 415/947-4227

     SAN FRANCISCO - Yesterday the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fined Kem-Kinetics Laboratories, located in South Gate, Calif., $3,696 for producing and selling a pesticide without a current registration number, in violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act.

     The EPA cited the company for selling Algy Kem 106, a biocide used by industry to prevent the growth of slime on cooling towers, without a current registration number.  Although the product was sold to another company and assigned a new registration number, Kem-Kinetics, a supplemental manufacturer and distributor, was still manufacturing the product under the old registration number.
 
     "Supplemental manufacturers and distributors of pesticides must keep in contact with the product owners," said Enrique Manzanilla, director of EPA's Cross Media Division.  "Otherwise, they may not be aware of product cancellations or changes in the product label required by the EPA."

     Pesticides that have been registered with the agency will have an EPA registration number on the label.  The EPA will not register a pesticide without information to show that it will not pose an unreasonable risk when used according to the directions.  The agency ensures that pesticide labels provide consumers with the information they need to use the products safely.  Companies who are supplemental distributors of pesticides are required to notify EPA.

     The civil complaint was based on information provided by the company and obtained during a December 2002 inspection by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.