EPA fines SoCal medical supply company for distributing unregistered disinfectants
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a settlement with TwinMed LLC over claims of illegal distribution of unregistered disinfectants to medical facilities across the Pacific Southwest. Under the settlement, the company will pay $557,199 for the violations.
"This settlement reinforces EPA's commitment to protecting public health by ensuring disinfectants used in health care facilities meet federal safety standards," said EPA Pacific Southwest Region Director for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Amy Miller. "Unregistered disinfectants can put vulnerable patients and health care workers at unnecessary risk."
An EPA inspection at the company’s location in Santa Fe Springs, California revealed that TwinMed LLC, a medical supplies wholesaler that primarily services nursing homes and other medical facilities, had distributed "WynnMed Germicidal Medical Disinfectant Wipes" on 135 separate occasions from August 17, 2021 through July 25, 2023.
The product claimed to contain multiple types of chemical compounds for antimicrobial use but was never submitted to EPA for registration review, preventing EPA from evaluating its efficacy or confirming that label warnings adequately protect users. Because the unregistered product was marketed for antimicrobial use in health care institutions, there was significant risk that it may not effectively kill germs and pathogens, potentially exposing health care providers and patients to harmful microorganisms.
Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), products claiming to kill or mitigate pests on surfaces, including microorganisms, must be registered with the EPA before being sold or distributed. FIFRA registration and labeling requirements protect human health by ensuring these sorts of products are tested in accordance with specific guidelines and can be safely used for their intended purposes. TwinMed has implemented various steps to come into compliance with FIFRA.
Find the most up-to-date list of EPA-registered disinfectant products and more information on pesticide registration.
For more information on reporting possible violations of environmental laws and regulations, visit EPA’s enforcement reporting website.
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