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EPA fines Honolulu company $2,376 for importing unregistered mothballs

Release Date: 8/23/2005
Contact Information: Dean Higuchi, 808-541-2711,

HONOLULU - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently fined Flash International Trading Inc., $2,376 for allegedly importing unregistered mothballs, a violation of federal pesticide regulations.

The mothballs allegedly imported by the company -- Daiso Naphthalene -- were not registered with the EPA and did not have approved labels, including directions for use in English.

"Importing unregistered pesticides is a serious violation, as the registration process ensures we know what the pesticide contains and whether it is properly packaged and labeled," said Enrique Manzanilla, division director for the EPA Pacific Southwest Region's Communities and Ecosystems Division. "These illegally imported products lack appropriate packaging, warning statements and directions for use."

The illegally imported mothballs were discovered during an inspection conducted by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture in Dec. 2003.

The EPA's pesticide regulations require registration and approved labels on all pesticide products before they are sold in the U.S.

For more information, visit the EPA's websites on pesticide registration at: https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/regulating/registering/index.htm and on illegal pesticides products at: https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/illegalproducts/

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