Operation ECO Quality Confiscated More Than 4,250 Illegal Pesticides Products from Street Vendors in Washington Heights, Manhattan

In a joint effort of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Region 2 Office of Environmental Justice, Environmental Conservation Police, and the Region 1 and 2 Bureau of Pesticides Management staff, more than 4,250 illegal pesticides products were seized from street vendors in Washington Heights this past July through the “Operation ECO Quality” campaign. Efforts began earlier this Spring with an emphasis on outreach and educational work involving elected officials and community representatives.

One significant danger of illegal or unregistered pesticides is their unknown toxicity levels. These pesticides may contain toxic chemicals that can cause serious harm to human health, such as cancer, birth defects, neurological disorders, and acute poisonings. Unregistered pesticides are not regulated by any authority, which means that they do not undergo proper testing and analysis before they are marketed. The DEC team focused on pesticides that were not registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as well as various restricted-use products, that should not be available for purchase, possession, or use by the public.

The Pesticides Staff worked to count more than 4250 units of different pesticides such as bottles of Sniper 1000 EC DDVP, unregistered rodent baits, unknown cockroach powders, and other unlabeled or unknown insecticides. The confiscated material will go to a hazardous waste site for proper destruction after 14 days of storage have elapsed; this time is given to the vendor to request the right to a hearing.

No Enforcement Action Against Individuals Occurred.

DEC issued no violations to the street vendors. Instead, staff focused on educating sellers and the public, providing written information both in English and Spanish so they can be familiar with the harm and health issues that illegal pesticides can cause, and the laws and regulations regarding safe pesticide use in the State of New York.

If you have any questions, please contact the Bureau of Pesticides Management at pestmgt@dec.ny.gov .