Natular(TM) Mosquito Larvicide Receives 2010 U.S. EPA Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award

-- First Reduced Risk Larvicide Registered by EPA; first new larvicide in 3 decades

-- Patent-pending slow-release formulations appropriate for all larviciding programs

-- Four Natular formulations are OMRI Listed and can be used in organic production

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Jun 21, 2010, 10:43 ET

ROSELLE, Ill., June 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Clarke, a global environmental products and services company, is honored today at the 2010 U.S. EPA Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards for their new Natular™ larvicide, which uses the active ingredient spinosad to control mosquito larvae in aquatic habitats. Clarke is recognized for developing a novel, patent-pending plaster matrix that releases optimal levels of product during times when mosquitoes breed.

Clarke will receive the award at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. this evening. The award recognizes chemical technologies developed by leading researchers and industrial innovators who are making significant contributions to pollution prevention in the United States.

"This award is a wonderful recognition for the hard work of our research and development team, who were given the task of building a more sustainable larvicide from the ground up," said J. Lyell Clarke, president and CEO of Clarke. "By bringing new chemistries like this to mosquito control, our industry can reduce the pesticide load and reduce toxicity."

Natular is the first new chemical larvicide for public health in nearly three decades, and one that meets the highest standards for environmental stewardship. The active ingredient spinosad, discovered and produced by Dow AgroSciences, is used in over 250 crops in more than 85 countries with additional uses in animal health and pet care. Natular has been categorized as a "Reduced Risk" larvicide by the U.S. EPA. Four formulations are listed in the OMRI Products List (Organic Materials Review Institute) and can be used in organic production.

"Natular is a next-generation larvicide with strong potential to reduce the pesticide load in the environment," said J. Lyell Clarke, President and CEO of Clarke. "It's prescription larviciding, using the exact amounts of active ingredients needed to control mosquito larvae, at toxicity rates far below other products. We don't have to sacrifice performance to be environmentally responsible – Natular delivers on both fronts."

By creating several proprietary tablet formulations that insulates then slowly releases the spinosad molecule, Clarke has made spinosad formulations which provide control for up to 180 days. This matrix is wholly comprised of compounds approved for use by the USDA in production of certified organic products.

Natular is effective at use rates two to 10 times lower than traditional synthetic chemistries, is 15 times less toxic than organophosphate alternatives, is not persistent in the environment or toxic to wildlife, and eliminates the use of hazardous materials and processes in its manufacture.

Registered for use domestically and abroad, seven commercial formulations of Natular are available for use in larval control in a range of mosquito-control environments, from catch basins to salt marshes.

"We anticipate a significant shift in the mosquito control industry with the introduction of this product," said Clarke. "The net benefit is reducing the overall synthetic load in the environment while contributing to the public health and quality of life in treated areas."

For more information about the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge, visit http://www.epa.gov/gcc/pubs/pgcc/presgcc.html

About Clarke

Clarke is a global environmental products and services company. A family-owned business based in Roselle, Ill., our mission is to make communities more livable, safe and comfortable for families around the world. We do this by pioneering, developing and delivering environmentally responsible mosquito control and aquatic services to help prevent disease, control nuisances and create healthy waterways. For more information, visit www.clarke.com.

SOURCE Clarke