Daily News Archive

EPA Warns Those Who Work with Pesticides To Be Cautious Given the Recent Threat of Terrorist Attack
(from September 13, 2002)

Following an announcement by U.S. Attorney General Ashcroft that the threat level for terrorist attack has been elevated to "high," the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on September 12, 2002 that those who manufacture, distribute, transport or store pesticides should be especially vigilant regarding physical security of those chemicals. Toward that end, EPA recommends that you review EPA's Pesticide Security Alert entitled: Pesticide Alert: Pesticide Security and Your Business published by EPA on September 2001 and available on the EPA website at: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/citizens/pest_secu_alert.htm.

The alert highlights some general security areas that companies may want to review to ensure that appropriate measures are being implemented. EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs has developed this tailored summary of the Agency's Chemical Safety Alert entitled, "Chemical Accident Prevention: Site Security," which outlines measures to ensure secure and accident-free operations. Published in February 2000, the more detailed Chemical Safety Alert is available on the Web at: http://www.epa.gov/swercepp/p-small.htm#alerts.

The FBI requests that you expeditiously report any threats or suspicious behavior to your local FBI field office. A listing of FBI field offices can be found on the FBI website at: http://www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/info.htm. Explanatory information on the Homeland Security Advisory System can be found at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/03/20020312-5.html.

If you have questions regarding this advisory or EPA's Pesticide Security Alert, please contact Dennis Deziel of EPA's Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances at (202) 564-0331.