NEW YORK, N.Y. - The largest U.S. manufacturer of hospital disinfectants has been charged with making false claims about the effectiveness of its products against microbial pests, according to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) complaint.
EPA tests on products from Lonza, Inc. showed the disinfectants did not work against common infection-causing microorganisms. The EPA is seeking a penalty of $202,500 for these alleged violations of federal pesticide law.
The hospital disinfectant products Formula 158 Lemon Disinfectant, Fresh and Clean and REV are the products that were tested by the EPA. Formula 158 Lemon Disinfectant and Fresh and Clean did not kill Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, and REV did not kill either the Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus, as claimed on the labels. Both pathogens can cause infections that can be serious, but are often treatable with antibiotics.
Lonza has requested a meeting with EPA to discuss the alleged violations.