The Oregon Department of Agriculture has issued a notice of statewide detainment and a stop sale and removal order for Green Planet Nutrients Mega Wash and NPK Industries Mighty Wash, two plant cleaner products which are used in hydroponics and horticulture. ODA has found that the products contain a pesticide active ingredient not listed on the label. The order calls for the companies to immediately cease all sales, offers of sale, or other distribution of the products in Oregon. In addition, products within Oregon or transported into the state by any type of business transaction or other method are detained.

ODA testing of Mega Wash and Mighty Wash found both to contain the active ingredient pyrethrins.

Use of Mega Wash and Mighty Wash could cause cannabis to fail Oregon Health Authority (OHA) pesticide testing requirements. ODA has issued a pesticide advisory to growers of all crops and retailers advising them to discontinue using or selling the products.

Mega Wash is manufactured by Freq Water, Inc. of Central Point, Oregon for H.I.T. Manufacturing of Surrey, British Columbia. Mighty Wash is manufactured by NPK Industries of Medford.

As part of an investigation, ODA’s Pesticides Program obtained and sampled Mega Wash and Mighty Wash from various locations in Oregon. Laboratory analysis found the presence of pyrethrins. ODA will proceed to address violations of Oregon’s Pesticide Law, which include adulteration of a pesticide product and mislabeling of a pesticide product.

According to the Oregon Health Authority, pyrethrins pose a low risk to humans unless exposures are at very high concentrations. Inhalation of very high levels have caused respiratory irritation symptoms similar to asthma. It is unlikely that residual levels left behind on cannabis would be high enough to cause these symptoms, although cannabis smoke may contain other constituents that could also cause these types of symptoms. More information can be provided by the National Pesticide Information Center at <npic.orst.edu>.

For additional information on the pesticide advisory and regulatory action taken against Mega Wash and Mighty Wash, contact ODA at (503) 986-4635 or email <pestx@oda.state.or.us>.