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Consumer Products Treated with PesticidesAugust 2003
Background Background and Treated Articles Definition The presence of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, and viruses) in or on various items has become of increased concern to consumers. In response to these concerns, many products (e.g., cutting boards, kitchen sponges, cat litter, toothbrushes, and juvenile toys) are being treated with antimicrobial pesticides. Antimicrobial pesticides are substances or mixtures of substances used to destroy or limit the growth of microorganisms, whether bacteria, viruses, or fungi -- many of which are harmful-on inanimate objects and surfaces. Treated articles typically refers to articles or products that are treated with an antimicrobial pesticide to protect the articles or products themselves. The pesticides are usually added to the products (e.g., plastic shower curtain) during manufacture; however, they may be added after manufacture but before use of the article (e.g., incorporation of a pesticide in paint). These treated products often make implied or explicit public health pesticidal claims to protect the public against harmful microorganisms. The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) requires the registration of any substance intended to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate pests. However, the Code of Federal Regulations prescribes the conditions under which an exemption from registration is allowed for treated articles or substances. It allows an exemption for:
EPA grants the treated articles exemption for a non-public-health use of a pesticide that is intended to protect only the treated article or substance itself. Consumers may distinguish such products by the absence of the EPA's pesticide registration number (found on the product label) of the registered pesticide used for protecting the article itself. It should be noted here that the EPA registration number would also be absent from an illegal product that should be registered. Products that qualify for this exemption must display appropriate clarifying statements. For example:
In addition, it should be noted that:
Articles or products that claim to be effective in controlling microorganisms such as E.coli, S.aureus, Salmonella sp. or Streptococcus sp. must be registered as a pesticide. These articles or products make a public health claim that goes beyond the preservation of the treated article itself. EPA requires the submission of chemical data in support of the public health labeling claims and patterns of use of the product. If EPA determines that such a product is exempt from registration as a pesticide, the product may claim only that it contains a pesticidal preservative to protect the product itself. These pesticides are known as materials preservatives. In these cases, the pesticide is registered for the intended use, and the sole purpose of treatment is to protect the product itself. These pesticides are widely used in the manufacture of textiles, plastics, paper, adhesives, and coatings. Any pesticide-treated product that is not registered by EPA must not make public health claims, such as "fights germs, provides antibacterial protection, or controls fungus." EPA's policy is predicated on the fact that no scientific evidence exists that these products prevent the spread of germs and harmful microorganisms in humans. FIFRA does not allow companies to make public health pesticidal claims for any product distributed or sold unless the product has been approved and registered by EPA or is covered by an exemption from registration. EPA is concerned about these claims because, in addition to being unlawful, they are also potentially harmful to the public (e.g., if people believe that a product has a self-sanitizing quality, they may become lax in their hygiene practices). Practicing standard hygiene practices has been proven to prevent the transmission of harmful microorganisms and, therefore, reduce the possibility of public health risk. In response to the marketing of unregistered pesticide-treated products with illegal, unsubstantiated public health claims, EPA has acted quickly and decisively to prohibit sales of such products. It will continue to be the Agency's policy to take action against companies that make such illegal claims. To view or obtain an electronic copy of the guidance document (PR 2000-1), we invite you to visit EPA's Web site at http://www.epa.gov/opppmsd1/PR_Notices , or call the Antimicrobials National Hotline at (703) 308-0127.
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