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EPA CITES SOUDERTON TEXTILE COMPANY FOR VIOLATING PESTICIDE LABELING LAW

Release Date: 1/6/1999
Contact Information: Ruth Podems (215) 814-5540

PHILADELPHIA - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has cited textile manufacturer Standard Terry Mills, Inc., of Souderton, Montgomery County, Pa. for violating federal pesticide registration requirements.  Then agency seeks a $29,700 for these violations.

Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, any product that is labeled or promoted as a pesticide must be registered with the EPA.  The registration requirements are designed to avoid the health and environmental threats posed by false, misleading, or unverified claims about pesticides.

According to EPA’s Dec. 31, 1998 administrative complaint, Standard Terry distributed two products, the "Infinity Kitchen Towel" and the "Infinity Dish Cloth," which were made from yarn treated with a pesticide.  The products’ labeled described these items as "antibacterial" and capable of inhibiting the growth "of a wide spectrum of bacteria."  However, neither product was registered as a pesticide.

The alleged violations were uncovered during an April 1998 inspection by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.  The company has 20 days from receipt to answer the complaint and request a hearing or a settlement conference.


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