Unelko Responds to Alleged Misleading Press Releases About Unelko Pesticides Issued by the EPA
Unelko Responds To Alleged Misleading Press Releases About Unelko Pesticides Issued by the EPA. Prevents Hospitals, Schools & Public from using New Cleaning and "Barrier" Technology for Improved Surface Hygiene.
Scottsdale, Ariz. (PRWEB) November 17, 2008 -- Unelko On September 24, 2008, the EPA issued a press release, which Unelko Corporation believes includes a false and misleading headline, "U.S. EPA acts to protect public from Unelko Corporation's unregistered pesticides." The press release stated that the EPA had simultaneously filed a complaint against Unelko "for the alleged sale and distribution of seven unregistered pesticides in violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)." Note: The docket number for the EPA complaint is "FIFRA-09-2008-0021" and the Stop Sale orders are under docket numbers SS-09-0001 and SS-09-0002.
Unelko Corporation, a family run business for over thirty years, is focused on the research and development of a new class of innovative "barrier" cleaners for improved surface hygiene in homes and public facilities.
Unelko claims its newly-patented and patent-pending Sani-Shield®, Stainless Shine®, Sani-Scrub® and various Clean & Shield® products to be exempt from FIFRA (and EPA registration) under the provisions of FIFRA's "treated article" regulation 40 CFR 152.25(a): Learn More, View Exemption from EPA Registration
Unelko believes that the long lasting, "antimicrobial" water and soil repellent "barrier" formed while cleaning is the "Treated Article" and the "barrier" is protected against the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew.
"In our opinion, the EPA and its Region IX enforcement office has unfairly issued the misleading headline in a public forum" says Steven Ohlhausen, President of Unelko.
The EPA's releases do not disclose that Unelko's products have been extensively tested in accordance with EPA (OPPTS) and Consumer Product Safety Commission Guidelines under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA) all of which is clearly set forth on each product label and the documentation provided to the EPA.
There are six tests that are required by EPA and used under FHSA Guidelines to determine the hazards of a product. Unelko's products passed all of the FHSA tests. View Test Results
Thus, Unelko believes it is misleading for the EPA to say that the products may be harmful to users or the environment and that the public needs to be protected against them.
In its defense, Unelko represents the cited "dual action" barrier products to clean organic & inorganic soil and simultaneously apply an invisible water, soil & stain repellent coating that reduces the adhesion & buildup of re-soiling and bio-films for easier next-time cleaning and which inhibits the growth of bacteria, mold & mildew.
The "barrier coating" is what is protecting the surface and is automatically renewed every time the products are used. Unlike conventional sanitizers and disinfectants, the Sani-Shield, Sani-Scrub and Clean & Shield products leave no poisons on the surface and our "Zone of Inhibition" tests prove conclusively that the microbe-inhibiting "treated article" barrier contains no active biocides. View Zone of Inhibition Study
Unelko had been in ongoing discussions with Region IX of the EPA since June 10, 2008 to settle EPA's concerns and questions about the products. Unelko has cooperated with the EPA and has furnished whatever information the Agency has requested in order for them to understand the technology. This includes extensive explanatory documents, patent references, labels, independent test results and MSDS that are also available on Unelko's website.
EPA officials gave assurances to Unelko that if it cooperated and continued with good faith settlement discussions no administrative complaint would be filed. Unelko believes the EPA "blind-sided" them by their filing of the complaint, the press release and ignoring Unelko's repeated request to meet to resolve the matter.
"What is most disappointing is, that with more than two weeks left before we had to respond to the complaint, the EPA hit Unelko with unwarranted October 10, 2008 "Stop Sale" Orders and another false and misleading press release" alleges Steven Ohlhausen President of Unelko.
Unelko emphasizes that by issuing their complaint, the Stop Sale Orders and the misleading press releases, EPA has inaccurately characterized Unelko's products. Unelko believes they have done so without any evidence that the Unelko products are harmful to users or the environment, or that they are not exempt as treated articles. EPA classifies treaded articles, per 40 CFR 152.25(a), as "pesticides of a character not requiring FIFRA regulation, that are therefore exempt from all provisions of FIFRA when intended for use and used in the manner specified."
In Unelko's opinion, the EPA has lost sight of the larger issue that current FIFRA "antimicrobial" regulation is outdated and does not come close to solving the increasing spread and impact of surface contact germs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 100,000 people die each year from hospital acquired infections alone. Unelko alleges the EPA has failed to enforce the proper use of "EPA-registered" Sanitizers and Disinfectants and its edict that "It is a violation of Federal Law to use this product in a manner that is inconsistent with its labeling."
"Serious problems exist in maintaining clean and sanitary conditions nationwide especially in medical, school and food service facilities", says Steven Ohlhausen. Unelko challenges the EPA and the public - to verify that they understand and are using such products as labeled. Unelko believes that it is misleading for companies to advertise products with performance claims that can only be achieved under laboratory conditions.
Unelko says it's 1- Step products "take the guesswork out of cleaning" with straightforward easy to use "spray and wipe" or "scrub and flush" techniques, and the "barrier" that it leaves behind is protected against attack by microbes.
Unelko remains committed to its customers and intends to continue to defend its unique antimicrobial performance and the "real world" benefits of its earth & user safe products and remains willing to continue working with the EPA to resolve the matter.
For more information, please contact:
Steven Ohlhausen
President
Unelko Corporation
480.991.7272
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