UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
                     GUIDANCE FROM HOTLINE COMPENDIUM

                                                                            WSGH13

SUBJECT:   Marketing and Advertising Tactics and Techniques

SOURCE:    Charlene Shaw

What is the EPA doing to discourage or prevent Point of Use (POU) distributors from misleading
the public through false or distorted claims regarding EPA's involvement with their product?

       Response:

       It has come to the attention of the Office of Drinking Water that the EPA and the Safe
       Drinking Water Hotline are receiving many calls concerning home water treatment units.
       One company, the National Safety Association, seems to have surfaced as a front runner
       in consumer inquiries and complaints.  Apparently, they have been searching the U.S. for
       distributors for their product. These potential distributors  and their customers have been
       calling the EPA for more information on the unit and its "approval" by the EPA.  A tape
       is provided to potential buyers showing the EPA logo along side the company logo
       implying a partnership in providing a quality product.

       Action to Date

       At the request of Peter Cook, Deputy Director, Office of Drinking Water, Charlene Shaw
       (ODW) contacted the Federal Trade Commission to find out if this company was
       violating any FTC rules by operating in this manner. She spoke with Joel Winston (FTC)
       and he indicated his interest in pursuing their advertising practices.  The case was
       assigned to Steve Toporoff (FTC) for investigation.

       Information Gathering

       Mr. Toporoff (FTC) indicated that it was necessary to begin gathering information to
       support a case.  He suggested that whenever possible, the name, address and phone
       number of concerned individuals telephoning the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or the
       EPA should be recorded and sent, through Charlene Shaw's office, to him.

Any offer by the Hotline caller to send printed material should be encouraged. Mr. Toporoff
asked that the Hotline suggest the caller send a formal complaint to him at the following address:

                          Mr. Steve Toporoff
                          Federal Trade Commission
                          Division of Marketing Practices
                          6th Street and Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
                          Washington, D.C. 20580
                          (202)326-3135

                                          1

-------