DEQ warns vs sale of illegal pesticides

The importation and selling of foreign and/or misbranded pesticides and pesticide devices is illegal, according a Division of Environmental Quality statement.

The division emphasized that products that may be imported or sold in the CNMI are legal products that are registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and are properly labeled in the English language.

DEQ said that all pesticides must be labeled with the name of pesticide in bold letters, restricted use designation, description of which pests are controlled, chemical name of pesticide, active ingredients and percentages, inert ingredients, EPA registration number, patent numbers, directions for proper use and appropriate signal words such as caution, warning or danger poison. Misbranded pesticides also refer to products that bear any statement, design, or graphic representation, which is false or misleading.

A pesticide is any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest. Many household products are pesticides and can include kitchen, laundry and bath disinfectants and sanitizers. Products that kill mold and mildew are also considered pesticides.

"The importation, sale or distribution of illegal pesticides in the CNMI places our community, especially children, at risk of being poisoned,” DEQ said.

The DEQ Pesticide Management branch is charged with the responsibility to regulate the importation, sale and distribution of pesticides, legal or illegal to ensure public health and a clean and healthy environment. DEQ staff regularly inspects business establishments for any misbranded products. Should misbranded items be found, all misbranded pesticides will be confiscated and penalties may be assessed.