E.P.A. Warns Online Shoppers about Illegal, Harmful Pesticide Sales

WASHINGTON - The E.P.A. (EPA) announced today that it has warned in excess of 2,800 customers across the U.S. about risks associated with a banned pesticide in an ant-control product they purchased online through fastpestcontrol.com. The product, Fast Ant Bait, contained mirex, a pesticide that was banned in 1978 because it can cause liver, skin, reproductive and nerve damage.

"Illegal pesticides are often much more toxic than approved pesticides," said Steve Owens, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. "When E.P.A. takes a pesticide off the market, it means that pesticide was not safe. Consumers should use only EPA-registered pesticides and always follow the label directions to ensure their safety."

E.P.A. became aware of the product after the Washington State Department of Health reported that a woman became ill after using it in her home. In response, E.P.A. identified and warned 3 online companies, 2Checkout.com Inc., CCNow, Incorporated and eBay Incorporated to cease processing orders for the product that was produced and mailed from China. The 3 companies cooperated, immediately ceased processing orders and consumers can no longer purchase products from fastpestcontrol.com, the original location that offered the product for sale. The companies also worked with E.P.A. to provide sales information, which allowed the agency to contact customers directly about the dangers posed by the pesticide and proper disposal methods.

The letter E.P.A. sent to customers who bought the product provides detailed directions on how to safely clean up and dispose of the illegal product and what to do if they believe they were exposed or harmed. For more information on mirex or other pesticides, consumers can call the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Information Center at 1-888-422-8737 or the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) at 1-800-858-7378.

To view a copy of the letter: http://www.epa.gov/region10/pdf/publications/notice_to_fastpestcontrol_customers_02_09_2011.pdf

Information on using pesticides safely: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/safely.htm

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