U.S. EPA fines Gardena pesticide producer $15,500

SAN FRANCISCO – In a recent settlement, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Pioneer Chemical Company, a Gardena, Calif. based pesticide producer, agreed to a $15,500 fine for the company’s alleged failure to submit accurate annual pesticide production reports to the Agency.

The EPA determined that Pioneer Chemical Company, was producing Super 60 PYM Foamer, a disinfectant and fungicide for hospital, institutional and industrial use, and not reporting it to the EPA in its annual pesticide production reports.

“Companies producing pesticides must be careful to report the production of all products produced in their facilities,” said Katherine Taylor, associate director of the Communities and Ecosystems Division in the EPA’s Pacific Southwest region. “The EPA uses these reports to track pesticide production and ensure safe management and distribution.”

The violations were discovered as a result of an inspection performed at the Gardena facility by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.

The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act regulates the sale, distribution, and use of pesticides within the United States. Federal law requires each producer or repackager to report the registered pesticides and the quantity of such pesticides produced annually.