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EPA fines pesticide device maker for filing false company information

Release Date: 9/29/2003
Contact Information: Wendy L. Chavez, (415) 947-4248

SAN FRANCISCO -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today fined Actron Inc. $7,920 for knowingly providing false company information to the EPA and producing "sticky pest traps" in an unregistered location, both violations of the federal pesticide law.

The company claimed they were producing the device at a Tarzana, Calif. site, however state inspectors discovered that the address provided to the EPA was a personal mailbox. The initial violation was forwarded to the EPA for further investigation. The company later admitted that the actual production site was in Reseda, Calif. That site was unregistered.

"It's a serious violation when facilities fail to provide accurate information," said Enrique Manzanilla, the EPA's Cross Media Division director for the Pacific Southwest region. "It is important that we have correct information from producers of pesticides and devices to ensure that the public is protected."

Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, pesticide device-producing companies are required to submit to the EPA information on establishment location and types and amounts of pesticides and devices produced and distributed.

Sticky traps are used for traping pests such as roaches, mice, and rats.

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