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EPA fines Bug Stop Pest Control for pesticide violations Pesticide contained three times the normal active ingredient, from unregistered facility

Release Date: 09/29/2008
Contact Information: Dean Higuchi, 808-541-2711, higuchi.dean@epa.gov

(09/29/08) SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has fined Bug Stop Pest Control $500 for allegedly producing an over-formulated pesticide at an unregistered establishment, violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act.

The EPA cited Bug Stop Pest Control, located at 3215 East Thunderbird Road in Phoenix, Ariz,, for production of the pesticide Methrin P.C. with three times the active ingredient than indicated on its labeling. In addition, the EPA cited the company for production of the pesticide Methrin P.C. in an unregistered establishment.

“Distribution of a pesticide with three times the active ingredient puts people and the environment at increased risk,” said Katherine Taylor, associate director of the Communities and Ecosystems Division in the EPA’s Pacific Southwest regional office. “In addition, when a company fails to register their establishment it hampers our effectiveness in overseeing the manufacture of pesticides.”

The violations were discovered as a result of an inspection performed by the Arizona Department of Agriculture in March 2007. Bug Stop voluntarily pulled the product from the shelves following notification of the lab analysis results indicating over-formulation.

Before selling or distributing any pesticide in the United States, a company must register the pesticide with the EPA. The sale or distribution of a pesticide that has not been registered with the EPA is a violation of federal pesticide law, which requires registration of pesticide products and pesticide-production facilities, as well as proper pesticide labeling. These requirements protect public health and the environment by minimizing the risks associated with the production, handling, and application of pesticides.

For more information on pesticide regulation and enforcement, please visit the EPA's Web site at: https://www.epa.gov/compliance/civil/fifra/ .

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