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EPA FINES MEDICAL PRODUCT SUPPLIER $20,000 FOR SELLING UNREGISTERED PESTICIDES

Release Date: 4/18/2001
Contact Information: Wendy L. Chavez, U.S. EPA, 415/744-1588

     SAN FRANCISCO   The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it has recently fined Doug Brown and Associates of Huntington Beach, Calif. $20,000 for allegedly selling unregistered pesticides, in violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act.

     The settlement resulted from a complaint issued on Sept. 28, 2000 to Doug Brown and Associates for the nationwide sale and distribution of Moni-Chlor and Acepti-Chlor, which are pre-moistened anti-bacterial  hospital wipes.

     The EPA's action was based on an inspection conducted by the State of California's Department of Pesticide Regulation.  The two products are now properly registered and are in full compliance with federal law.  

     "The EPA's responsibility is to protect the public, to make sure that pesticide products are properly registered and safely used," said Pamela Cooper, chief of the Pesticide Program in the EPA's Pacific Southwest office.  "Selling pesticides that are not properly registered is illegal and the EPA will take action against violators."    

     Manufacturers who claim their product prevents, destroys or repels any pest must register the product with the EPA.  Pests include bacteria and parasites.  The agency will not register a pesticide until it has been tested to show that it will not pose an unreasonable risk when used according to the label directions.  

      Under FIFRA, pesticide makers must show that their products do not present any risks to human health or the environment.  Consumers should be careful to look for the EPA registration number printed on product labels, and follow the directions for use.