For Immediate Release: December 8, 2003
Contact: Wendy L. Chavez, (415) 947-4248
Press Office Main Line: (415) 947-8700
SAN FRANCISCO -- The company owner sold and distributed from its Web site a product called, "Siamon's Mold Control," which was never registered with the EPA. The company made several public health claims that its product eliminated or inactivated mold, bacteria, fungus and viruses. Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, the EPA requires products that make these claims to be registered with the agency and provide data proving
their effectiveness.
"Without EPA registration, we have no information on the ingredients and possible effects of this product, which could result in harm to public health and the environment," said Enrique Manzanilla, director of the EPA's Cross Media Division for the Pacific Southwest region. "It is the company's responsibility to register its pesticides with the EPA."
If the Diamond Company fails to comply with the EPA order issued on Dec. 4, it will face criminal action or civil fines.
The EPA will not register a pesticide until tests show that it will not pose an unreasonable risk when used according to the directions. The agency also ensures that pesticide labels provide consumers with the information they
need to use the products safely. Pesticides that have been registered with the agency will have an EPA registration number on the label.
The EPA's action was based on an investigation of Web sites that sell or distribute illegal or unregistered pesticide products.
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JULY 10, 2003
EPA ORDERS ‘STOP SALE’ OF UNREGISTERED PESTICIDE PRODUCT PURPORTING TO CONTROL TOXIC MOLD
Contact: John Millett 202-564-7842/millett.john@epa.gov
On July 9, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ordered ParPac Inc. of Swanzey, N.H. to stop selling its unregistered pesticide “Dry Pac Wall SystemÔ,” which the company claims controls fungus and toxic molds such as Stachybotrys, also known as Black Mold. The stop sale order further requires Par Pac Inc. to remove all pesticide claims from their advertising and labeling and to notify EPA of the steps they have taken to do so within 30 days. EPA will be monitoring compliance with this stop sale order and will continue to monitor the Internet for illegal pesticide sales. “Dry Pac Wall SystemÔ” is a cellulose insulation product used in building construction. Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act products claiming to prevent, destroy, or repel pests, including molds and fungus, are considered pesticides and must be registered. During EPA’s comprehensive pre-market registration process, a company must first prove that the product is safe and effective for consumer use before a legal claim can be made that a product protects people from disease-causing microorganisms. The label of all EPA registered products must bear the EPA registration number, along with directions for use and any safety precautions. According to the Center for Disease Control Web site, Stachybotrys is a greenish black mold, that in the presence of moisture, can grow on material with a high cellulose and low nitrogen content, such as fiberboard, gypsum board, paper, dust and lint. The common health concerns from all molds include fever-like allergic symptoms. Certain individuals with chronic respiratory disease may experience difficulty breathing, and individuals with immune suppression may be at increased risk for infection from molds. For more information go to: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/airpollution/mold/stachy.htm.
For more information, contact:
Alan L. Wozniak, CIAQP
(800) 422-7873 ext. 802
info@pureaircontrols.com
