EPA Proposes First Conditional Registration of Nanosilver Pesticide Product
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to conditionally approve a pesticide product containing nanosilver as a new active ingredient for a period of four years. The antimicrobial pesticide product by the Switzerland-based company HeiQ is a silver-based additive that is used as in the treatment of fibres or garments to prevent the growth of smelly bacteria on the final textile.
The registration documents and the various data reviews and further data requests by EPA can be followed in the corresponding docket open for public consultation (Docket at Regulations.gov). The Agency’s basis for the conditional registration is as follows:
- Insufficient time has elapsed for the generation of data since the requirement for that data was imposed;
- Use of the pesticide is in the public interest; and
- Use of the pesticide during the period that the newly required data is being developed and reviewed by the Agency will not cause unreasonable adverse effects.
As a condition of registration, EPA is proposing to require additional product chemistry, toxicology, exposure, and environmental data. The Agendy will evaluate these data as they are submitted during the period of the conditional registration to confirm the product will not cause unreasonable adverse effects to human health and the environment. Under EPA’s new policy concerning public involvement in registration decisions, EPA is providing a 30-day opportunity for public comments on the proposed registration. Public comments will be accepted until September 11, 2010.
However, it has been criticized that other companies are already on the market with similar (but unclaimed) anti-microbial products which EPA had approved without the knowledge that they contained nanoscale silver. Therefore, EPA intends to require the development of similar data from the other manufacturers as well.
Source: EPA | Docket Information