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

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There are currently 10 companies manufacturing or distributing
NO-PEST STRIPS in the U.S.
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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

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