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U.S. EPA fines two Ontario, Calif. companies for pesticide violations

Release Date: 9/30/2004
Contact Information: Laura Gentile, EPA, 415/947-4227

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently fined two Ontario, Calif. companies a combined total of $58,481 for violations of federal pesticide regulations.

The EPA fined Everkleen Enterprises $2,381 for allegedly producing a pesticide in an unregistered establishment, and Cardenas Markets, Inc. $56,100 for the alleged sale and distribution of two unregistered pesticides.

The EPA cited Everkleen Enterprises for allegedly producing Cardenas Pine Cleaner without a registered establishment number. Cardenas Markets, Inc. was fined for the alleged sale and distribution of two pine cleaner products, Cardenas Pine Cleaner and Pinol. Cardenas Pine Cleaner's label claims that it “kills household germs,” while Pinol's label claims it is a “disinfectant”.

“Companies must register their pesticides and the establishments in which they are produced with the EPA,” said Enrique Manzanilla, director of the EPA's Cross Media Division. “Without EPA registration, we have no information on the effects of these products, which could lead to harm to public health and the environment.”

The enforcement actions were based on information obtained during inspections at both facilities by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. As in this case, when adequate evidence exists, the EPA will take action against both the producer and retailer of unregistered pesticides.

Federal law requires that before selling or distributing a pesticide in the United States, companies must register the pesticide with the EPA. Pesticides that have been registered with the agency will have an EPA registration number on the label. Each producer, seller, and distributor has certain obligations to ensure that the pesticide being produced, distributed, or sold is properly registered and labeled.

To assist the public and regulated community, the EPA and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation provide Internet access to registration information on approximately 90,000 products. The U.S. EPA/OPP Pesticide Products Database Query can be accessed through the California Department of Pesticide Regulation at http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/epa/m2.htm.