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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ordered eBay, out of its San, Jose headquarters, to stop selling unregistered and/or misbranded pesticide products. This violated the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The EPA amended the “Stop Sale Use or Removal Order” issued to eBay on June 10, 2020 to include the additional products.

According to a press release, after tips and complaints from consumers and members of the regulated community, the EPA identified 170 pesticides on eBay.com. They were either not registered with the Agency, labeled falsely or misleading/misbranded.

“Unregistered pesticides can pose a serious hazard to human health and the environment,” said Larry Starfield, EPA acting assistant administrator for the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “EPA remains committed to holding online retailers such as eBay accountable for the sale of these dangerous products through their websites.”

Congress ordered the EPA to regulate the production, sale, distribution and pesticides in the U.S. through FIFRA. The EPA is authorized to issue a stop sale use or removal order whenever a violation of FIFRA is found regarding pesticides. Brodifacoum is one of the pesticides to be amended. The highly lethal anticoagulant poison has several links to human intoxication and dichlorvos (DDVP) – an organophosphate insecticide that has various restrictions and prohibited uses in the U.S. as it is dangerous and presents many human health risks.

This past month, the EPA issued alerts to different members of the public including apartment building managers and superintendents, flight crews, customs and border protection agents to notify and increase public awareness about the dangers of DDVP in application and transportation. According to the press release, the amendment order also includes pesticides that eBay failed to stop selling after the June 10, 2020 order: “Virus Shut Out.” This is a spatial disinfection card that claims to protect the person wearing it against COVID-19.