Pure Maintenance Press Release Re: The Court of California Civil Settlement

We have recently learned of the Stipulated Judgment from the Superior Court of California regarding a civil settlement between Santa Barbara County District Attorney's office and Pure Maintenance Holdings LLC (the US licensor of PMUK). 

In summary, the DA’s office alleged that Pure Maintenance Holdings LLC had made false advertising claims, specifically that :

1. The product InstaPure was EPA approved to kill the COVID-19 virus; and 
2. The product EverPure was verified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as non-toxic.

Following a multi-million dollar civil suit, the parties reached a token settlement ($325,000 plus costs) and an agreement from Pure Maintenance Holdings LLC that they would hire a compliance manager and put protocols and practices in place to ensure that future advertising claims are consistent with regulatory labelling requirements.

PMUK STATEMENT

Since 2020, PMUK has successfully provided mould remediation services to thousands of UK homes and businesses. Why has PMUK been so successful:

1. We use a proprietary dry fog technology which reduces the molecular size of the sterilant through hydrolysis giving it its unique 'dryness' characteristic which dwells in the air, eventually oxidising, denaturing and rendering inert the abundance of airborne mould spores and biological matter. We continue to fill the home and create positive air pressure until the fog reaches every conceivable space in the property.

2. We use a Peracetic Acid (PAA) based sterilant to eradicate mould by chemically eroding the cell wall (lysis) and denaturing the protein nucleus within, rendering it inert. The sterilant breaks down shortly after treatment into oxygen and acetic acid (vinegar), leaving no toxic residue, remaining VOC’s or off-gassing. This is followed by an antimicrobial film applied to all surfaces which creates a microscopic mechanical barrier, covalently bonded which prevents the mould from regrowing by electrostatically attracting spores to it and eradicating them on contact.

Debunking the myths

The US civil case stemmed from Pure Maintenance Holdings LLC listing their treatment as effective against COVID-19. While scientifically accurate (PAA does kill enveloped viruses like COVID), the US government had created an approved vendor list and aggressively went after companies making efficacy claims outside that narrow list. Our opinion – it’s a frustrating situation that came from government overreach during COVID. Interestingly, and of crucial importance, both the Superior Court of California and the DA did not dispute the efficacy or safety of the InstaPure and EverPure treatments – the dispute was regarding labelling and licencing.

PMUK are not Pure Maintenance Holdings LLC. Whilst we are the UK licensee of the PM brand and proprietary dry-fogging technology, PMUK are an independent UK business and were not involved, privy to, or complicit in any advertising claims made by the US licensor. Important to note, Pure Maintenance Holdings LLC operate within a US jurisdiction and are subject to US codes, regulations and legislation which do not apply to PMUK. For clarity, PMUK are fully compliant with all applicable UK legislation and regulations.

The published Stipulated Judgment from the Superior Court of California does not set out all of the details, facts and circumstances of the civil suit. Consequently, various media outlets who have reported the case have often presented matters out of context which can be misleading to consumers. 

Toxic or non-toxic – it’s a matter of semantics. The DA argued that ‘non-toxic’ means zero toxicity in all possible cases – including drinking a solution straight. This is a flawed argument and is not supported by UK parliament or the HSE. In general parlance, ‘toxic’ means an ability to cause harm to a living organism and every chemical substance – even water –is to some degree ‘toxic’; i.e. in principle, every chemical has some ability to cause harm if an organism is exposed to it at a sufficient dose. Different chemicals can produce different types of toxicity and in different degrees. A crucial factor determining the type and degree of toxicity expressed by a chemical is the dose – the amount, or the concentration (amount per volume) of that chemical to which a living organism is exposed, and for how long.

PMUK uses  PAA based sterilant that is highly diluted and applied via dry fog meaning no liquid buildup or surface residue. PAA components are biodegradable and break down into acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide, which in turn breaks down into hydrogen and water (harmless base elements), fully dissipating before the consumer returns to the property. In every sense, our treatment is non-toxic – it does not produce toxic effects, either immediately or over time, on a single cell, organ system, or the entire body. The term ‘non-toxic’ is not a legally defined or regulated term. A product can be labelled non-toxic even if it contains ingredients that might cause harm in certain situations or to certain individuals. The assessment of whether a substance is non-toxic depends on how it is used and the conditions of use.

PAA is 1 of only 8 products listed on EPA’s Safer Chemical Ingredients List and is a broad spectrum disinfectant agent and an effective bactericide, fungicide and sporicide. PAA has a low rate of corrosion meaning it is suitable for use on many surfaces without fear of damage and leaves behind no toxic deposit. PAA is used in a wide range of key industries that demand safety – food, textiles, medical, cleaning, water treatment, etc. – even in schools and kindergartens. 

PMUK’s supplier of PAA is listed on the Article 95 list with the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) and is approved by the UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) providing assurance that we are purchasing from a recommended and approved supplier. 

Conclusion

At PMUK, we remain fully committed to delivering industry-leading mould remediation services underpinned by scientific rigour, regulatory compliance, and commercial integrity. Our proprietary dry fogging system and PAA-based sterilant technology represent a best-in-class solution for addressing airborne and surface-based mould in residential and commercial settings. These technologies are grounded in established biochemical principles and supported by approvals from relevant UK and European regulatory authorities.

The recent civil settlement in the US relates solely to labelling language within a different regulatory environment and does not reflect on the safety, efficacy, or legality of our operations in the UK. Attempts by competitors to conflate these matters with PMUK’s practices are not only misleading but risk spreading misinformation within the marketplace. Our protocols, supplier chain, and product usage are all tailored to UK legislative frameworks and public health standards, and we remain confident in the scientific merit and operational safety of our approach.

We invite all stakeholders—clients, industry partners, and regulators alike—to assess PMUK on the basis of our outcomes, compliance standards, and commitment to quality. Our commercial success has been built on trust, transparency, and results, and we will continue to lead by example as the UK’s benchmark provider in mould remediation technology.