UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460 OFFICIAL BUSINESS PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER POSTAGE AND FEES PAID U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION A G EI N C Y EI P A -3 35 A ^0. Environmental News O'Neill (202) 755-0344 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1974 EPA ALERTS HOSPITALS TO NO-PEST STRIP HAZARD The Environmental Protection Agency has requested the assist- ance of the American Hospital Association in informing hospital authorities across the country that NO-PEST STRIPS designed for flying insect control should not be used in the patient care areas of hospitals. EPA is currently in the process of having the labels of NO- PEST STRIPS revised to read "Do not place in hospital or clinic rooms, such as patient rooms, wards, nurseries, operating and emergency areas." This warning would be added to other cautionary labeling currently on the strips. The request to the Hospital Association was a letter from EPA Deputy Assistant Administrator for General Enforcement Robert L. Baum to the Association's headquarters in Chicago. The Association is the largest organization of hospitals in the U.S., to which approximately 7,000 health care institutions belong. The letter was in response to an EPA survey of a number of hospitals nationwide which revealed that some hospitals were using the strips and that at least one hospital had a strip in a patient care area. Hospitals using the strips were advised to remove them. (more) Return this sheet If you do NOT with to receive this material ~, or if change of address is needed ~ (indicate change, including zip code). EPA FORM tSIO-t (REV. 8-72) R-324 ------- )- - 2 - There are currently 10 companies manufacturing or distributing NO-PEST STRIPS in the U.S. # # # ------- J/W 6 American Hospital Association 340 North Lake Shore Drive Chicago, Illinois 60611 Gentlemen: It has recently come to our attention that a number of hospitals have been using MO-PEST STRIPS and that at least one hospital has used the strip in a patient care area. The Environmental Protection Agency requests that your association help us to inform hospital authorities across the country that NO-PEST STRIPS are not intended for use 1n patient care areas of hospitals, ant! that such use may pose a hazard to infants, ayed and debilitated patients as well as subject users of NO-PEST STRIPS in patient care areas of hospitals to the criwinal or civil proceedinos of Section 14 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungi- cide, and Rodentlcide Act as amended. These NO-PEST STRIPS contain 2,2-dichlorov1nyl dimethyl phosphate as their principle active ingredient and are generally used for the control of flying insects. Strips of plastics are impregnated with the chemical. The strips are hung from the celling and the chemical 1s dispersed through the air by evaporation. Continuous exposure to 2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate, an organophosphate, could com- plicate or aggravate the condition of Individuals with liver disease or organophosphate polsonlnq. This Aqency 1s currently in the process of havino the labels revised to read "Do not place 1n hospital or clinic rooms, such as patient rooms, wards, nurseries, operating and emergency areas." A notice or bulletin alerting the members of your association that products of this nature are not intended for patient care areas of hospitals and the potential problems that could arise from their use would assist us in preventing the misuse of these pesticides. If you h<;ve any questions concerning our request please contact myself (202 765-2530) or Mr. A. E. Coriroy II, Pesticides Enforcement Division Director (202 755-0297). Your cooperation in this matter 1s appreciated. Sincerely yours, Robert L. Baud Deputy Assistant Administrator for toncral Enforcer sent ------- |