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Asplundh To Pay $73,920 To Settle a Pesticide Case

Release Date: 6/4/2001
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith, (215) 814-5543

Bonnie Smith, (215) 814-5543

PHILADELPHIA – Asplundh Tree Expert Company will pay a $73,920 penalty for alleged pesticide violations at the nationwide tree service company’s Arborchem Division facility in Mechanicsburg, Pa.

EPA cited the company for violating the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Under FIFRA, pesticide products and manufacturing facilities must be registered with EPA. This requirement is designed to protect against dangerous or mishandled pesticide products, and false, misleading, or unverifiable product claims. FIFRA also prohibits the distribution or sale of unregistered pesticides.

EPA and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture inspected the Arborchem facility in July 1998 after state inspectors in Missouri reported a potential violation by Asplundh of pesticide registration requirements. EPA cited the company for selling or distributing an unregistered pesticide to customers in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Tennessee and Indiana. EPA also cited Asplundh for failing to register its Mechanicsburg facility where it made this product. The alleged violations occurred in 1997 and 1998.

The Asplundh product at issue, marketed as “25% Garlon 4 + Arborchem Basal Oil Spray Solution,” was an unregistered diluted mixture of Garlon 4, a registered pesticide manufactured by DowElanco.

The company cooperated with EPA’s investigation, took prompt action to correct the alleged violations, and agreed to settle prior to EPA issuing a formal complaint. The alleged violations caused no identifiable harm to human health or the environment.

As part of the settlement, the company neither admitted nor denied liability.