Ecolab Products Receive EPA Exemptions for Anthrax Decontamination.

Business Editors

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 4, 2002

Ecolab Inc. announced that it has received exemptions that allow two of its U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-registered products to be used for anthrax decontamination.

Ecolab has made one of these products, Vortexx(TM), available for use. Vortexx can be used on hard surfaces, structures and other property identified by the EPA and other federal, state or local governmental entities, or the U.S. Postal Service, as contaminated or potentially contaminated by anthrax (Bacillus anthracis). Vortexx is not meant for use on humans or animals.

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) crisis exemptions are granted when the EPA determines that a situation poses a serious public health emergency. The anthrax incidents that occurred in the United States in October and November 2001 posed just such a public health emergency. Through extra effort by Ecolab scientists during that crisis, and priority examination by the EPA, the exemptions have been granted.

The EPA has provided specific "directions for use" for Vortexx, which Ecolab has outlined on specially developed guidance sheets. The guidance sheets will only be available to federal, state and local emergency response personnel, and to the U.S. Postal Service.

Since guidelines for full EPA registration of such anthrax-related products have not yet been determined, the exemption allows Vortexx to be used for the stated purpose until the EPA determines the exemption is not necessary, or until registration guidelines are finalized and timelines are provided.

Qualified governmental entities can obtain information about Vortexx by calling Ecolab's Corporate Marketing department at [phone].

With worldwide sales exceeding $3 billion, Ecolab is the leading global developer and marketer of premium cleaning, sanitizing, pest elimination, maintenance and repair products and services for the hospitality, institutional and industrial markets. Ecolab shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the Pacific Exchange under the symbol ECL.

Ecolab news releases and other investor information are available on the Internet at www.ecolab.com and by telephone at 1-800-FACT-ECL.