EPA Orders Ohio Company to Stop Selling 2 Air Filters Over Use of Unregistered Pesticides

The logo of the Environmental Protection Agency is seen in Washington on March 16, 2017. Getty Images

An Ohio air filter company was told to immediately halt the sale and distribution of two of its products because of the use of unregistered pesticides, under an order issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on July 18.

The EPA stated that Excell Air Filters’ products, “Antimicrobial Filter” and “Allergen Filter,” were treated with unregistered pesticides, in violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). FIFRA is the federal statute that controls the registration, distribution, sale, and use of pesticides in the United States.

The EPA alleges that Ashland, Ohio-based Excell stated on its website that the products in question could or should be used against the COVID-19 virus, among other public health and safety claims.

The company’s website states that the allergen filter “[captures] and eliminates all allergens, airborne particles and contaminants on contact”—including pet hair and dander, asbestos, dust mites, dead skin cells, dust and dirt, lead paint dust, mold and fungi, tobacco smoke, smog, pollen, and ragweed—while the antimicrobial filter also “eliminates/kills ALL VIRUSES.”

In one promotional image, titled “Reasons to Choose Excell Air Filters,” the products were said to kill “all viruses,” without indicating which line of filters. The website doesn’t currently specify the COVID-19 virus.

Excell officials didn’t respond by publication time to a request by NTD News for comment.

The EPA order was issued to prevent further sale and distribution of the products since, according to the agency, they are treated with unregistered pesticides.

FIFRA stipulates that any pesticides used must undergo a registration process by the EPA, which determines whether the products will perform as intended before being deemed suitable for distribution. The use of any pesticide must also be deemed safe for use by the EPA and not pose any “unreasonable risk to human health or the environment, when used as directed,” as per the statement.

“With certain exceptions, a pesticide is any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest, or intended for use as a plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant, or desiccant, or any nitrogen stabilizer,” the agency stated.

According to the EPA, all products deemed safe for use will be labeled accordingly, informing consumers that they are EPA-approved alongside additional information for appropriate use and safety measures.

The agency cautions against the use of unregistered products that haven’t undergone the appropriate evaluation process, as these may not function as advertised or even mislead consumers.

Companies found knowingly violating FIFRA can face fines of up to $25,000 and up to one year of imprisonment for those deemed responsible.

From NTD News