EPA Pesticide Program Update from EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs 12/21/01

http://www.epa.gov/pesticides

******************************************

IN THIS UPDATE:

EPA ORDERS TWO COMPANIES TO STOP SELLING UNREGISTERED ANTHRAX PESTICIDAL PRODUCTS TO THE PUBLIC

(Notes to Correspondence 12/20/01)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has ordered two companies immediately to stop selling

unregistered pesticides claiming to protect the public from anthrax and requested the companies voluntarily

to recall these illegal products from the marketplace.

The EPA orders were issued to Homeland Security Plus of Gilbert, Ariz., for the illegal sale of Biohazard

Decontamination Solution, and to Testing Kits Inc. of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for the illegal sale of EnviroFoam

Easy DECON, also known as "EnviroFoam." Both unregistered products were marketed on the Internet.

The companies have since removed the promotion for these products from their websites. EPA's orders for

both companies are effective immediately upon receipt. The Agency will be monitoring compliance with its

orders and the companies' voluntary recall.

Selling or distributing unregistered pesticides is generally prohibited under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and

Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), which authorizes EPA to issue orders stopping the sale of unregistered products.

EPA has an extensive pre-market registration process to ensure that products that claim to protect public health

are effective. It is vital that products that make public health claims are effective when used according to specific

label directions. EPA continues to inspect advertisements on the Internet and other marketing avenues to ensure

that no unregistered pesticides are illegally sold to the public.

EPA has authorized the limited use of an anthrax decontamination foam (a formulation of quaternary

ammonium and hydrogen peroxide) for use in emergency cleanup operations of the U.S. Congress, federal

agencies and the U.S. Postal Service under a FIFRA exemption. This emergency use was authorized for limited spot decontamination only by federal, state or local emergency response personnel and not by the general

public. Additional data review required by registration will help determine whether such products can be used

more widely. The anthrax decontamination foam for which the EPA exemption was granted was not

manufactured by Testing Kits Inc.

"Selling unregistered products not approved for public use and preying upon consumers' heightened concern for

their families' health are unconscionable," said EPA Administrator Christie Whitman.

While public concern about anthrax is understandable, EPA has the responsibility to protect consumers right to know about decontamination products and to know that they have been tested and proven effective before being sold to the public.

Homeland Security Plus and Testing Kits Inc. sales efforts were discovered in a coordinated internet surveillance effort by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), with assistance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, more than 30 state attorneys general and the California Department of Health Services.

"Our 'surf' results and cases such as these unfortunately demonstrate the need for consumers to be very skeptical

of products that claim to protect the public against bioterrorism," said FTC=s Director of Consumer

Protection J. Howard Beales. "There will continue to be close monitoring and vigorous and prompt action

where necessary."

********************************************
EPA distributes its Pesticide Program Updates to external stakeholders and citizens who have expressed an interest in OPP activities and decisions. We have established an electronic listserve for people who want to keep abreast of pesticide issues and decisions. This update service is part of EPA's continuing effort to improve public access to Federal pesticide information.

For general questions on pesticides and pesticide poisoning prevention, contact the National Pesticide

Telecommunications Network (NPTN), toll-free, at: 1-800-858-7378, by E-mail at nptn@ace.orst.edu,

or by visiting their Website at: http://ace.orst.edu/info/nptn/

For information about ongoing activities in the Office of Pesticide Programs, visit our homepage

at: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides

Or call or write us directly at:

Communication Services Branch

Office of Pesticide Programs (7506C)

US Environmental Protection Agency

Ariel Rios Building

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20004-2403

703-305-5017