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EPA settles case against Southern California company for pesticide violations

Release Date: 6/14/2005
Contact Information: Wendy Chavez, 415/947-4248

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today fined a South Gate, Calif. chemical company $28,512 for the alleged sale and distribution of mislabeled pesticides in violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

The EPA cited the Los Angeles Chemical Company for sale and distribution of a pesticide known as “Acid Anionic Sanitizer and Cleaner” with a label failing to include directions for use necessary to adequately protect health and the environment, and a pesticide known as “LA Chemclor” with a label lacking the Establishment Registration Number.

In addition, the companyl was cited for the alteration and defacement of a label accompanying the pesticide known as “Leslie’s Swimming Pool Supplies Liquid Chlorinizer.”

“Federal law requires that pesticide labels carry all proper use and warning instructions,” said Enrique Manzanilla, director of the EPA’s Communities and Ecosystems Division in the Pacific Southwest Region. “Consumers need the proper information to ensure that they are applying pesticide products safely and correctly. We would much rather identify problems before they occur rather than fine companies after the damage has been done.”

The EPA encourages companies to call (415) 947-4204 if they have questions on pesticide registration or labeling.

State inspectors from California and Nevada discovered the violations during a series of inspections from 2000 through 2003.

Before selling or distributing any pesticide in the United States, companies must register the pesticide with the EPA. Each producer, seller, and distributor is required to ensure that the registered pesticide is labeled with (1) an EPA Registration Number specific to that product; (2) an EPA Establishment Number that identifies the facility at which the product was produced; (3) information concerning the producer and name, brand, or trademark under which the pesticide is sold; and (4) directions for use and other information necessary to protect consumers and the environment. Alteration or destruction of any portion of this required labeling is unlawful.

For more information on pesticide regulation and enforcement, please visit EPA’s web page at: https://www.epa.gov/compliance/civil/fifra/index.html

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