Trump EPA Approves First-Ever Long-Lasting Antiviral Product for Use Against COVID-19

This original announcement was published by EPA on August 25, 2020. Click here for more. 

 

WASHINGTON (August 24, 2020) — Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced a groundbreaking development in the Trump Administration’s efforts to combat the novel coronavirus. In a first-of-its kind step, EPA has issued an emergency exemption to the state of Texas permitting it to allow American Airlines and Total Orthopedics Sports & Spine to use a new product that kills coronavirus like the SARS-CoV-2 virus on surfaces for up to seven days. After carefully reviewing the available data and information, the agency has determined that the product helps to address the current national emergency. This product is expected to provide longer-lasting protection in public spaces, increasing consumer confidence in resuming normal air travel and other activities.

“There is no higher priority for the Trump Administration than protecting the health and safety of Americans and I want to thank those who have worked with us to achieve this major milestone,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “Since day one, I have been committed to ensuring that Americans have as many tools as possible to protect their families and today we are delivering on that promise by approving the first-ever long-lasting antiviral product that will help fight the spread of the novel coronavirus.”

“Texas is proud to once again step up and join the fight against this virus,” said Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller.  “This Section 18 exemption gives businesses another tool to protect consumers as we try to bring our economy back. Thank you President Trump and EPA Administrator Wheeler for your commitment to the safety of the American people and to ending this pandemic that is choking our economy and our way of life.”

“We are very grateful for Administrator Wheeler and the many hardworking professionals at the EPA who rigorously evaluated SurfaceWise2 to safeguard our customers and team members from viruses, such as the flu and coronavirus,” said American Airlines Chief Operating Officer David Seymour. “SurfaceWise2 will make the travel experience even safer for those who are ready to return to the skies and reopen our country for business.”

“We are thrilled to work closely with the EPA on approval for SurfaceWise2, which enables people to get back to living their lives,” said Allied BioScience CEO Michael Ruley. “This initial EPA approval clears the way to effectively protect people against COVID-19 as a residual solution proven to provide long-term, non-toxic surface protection from viruses, including coronaviruses. We know how tirelessly the EPA has worked to evaluate a litany of innovative products, and we are excited to provide this added layer of defense for our country.”

EPA is approving the emergency exemption requests submitted under Section 18 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). SurfaceWise2—a product manufactured by Allied BioScience completely in the United States—is a surface coating that inactivates viruses and bacteria within two hours of application and continues to work against them for up to seven days. EPA’s approval will allow Texas to permit American Airlines airport facilities and planes at specific locations and two Total Orthopedics Sports & Spine Clinics to use SurfaceWise2 under certain conditions.

Over the coming months, Allied BioScience will pursue a non-emergency approval under FIFRA Section 3 by submitting additional data to meet EPA’s registration requirements as an antiviral surface coating. If the full registration process is completed, the product would become available for purchase by members of the public.

EPA anticipates posting information for companies or individuals who are interested in pursuing a FIFRA Section 3 registration for antiviral surface coatings in the coming weeks. In the interim, states or federal agencies interested in pursuing a Section 18 Emergency Exemption Request for products that claim residual efficacy against viruses for up to seven days should be prepared to include efficacy data demonstrating that the product is durable and effective against viruses in their applications. Durability and efficacy should both be evaluated. For example, antiviral efficacy should be assessed using coated surfaces that have been exposed to physical touches/abrasion and treatment with disinfectants. EPA will review the results of these studies to ensure that surface coatings remain effective under the anticipated proposed conditions of use.

For more information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/section-18-emergency-exemption-requests-and-coronavirus-covid-19

Background

SurfaceWise2 is meant to inactivate viruses that land on a surface between regular cleanings. This product is not a replacement for routine cleaning and disinfection with products from EPA’s List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. EPA recommends that facilities continue to follow the cleaning and disinfection recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please note that according to the CDC, while “it may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes,” the virus is thought to spread mainly through close contact between individuals.

The approved Section 18 emergency requests are effective for a year. As new data emerge, EPA may alter the terms of the product’s emergency uses.

EPA Opens Public Comment Period on Cuprous Iodide Draft Ecological Risk Assessment

This original announcement was published by the EPA on August 14, 2020. Click here for more!

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting comments on its determination that cuprous iodide, when used in a materials preservative embedded in specific fibers, plastics and films, is not expected to pose a discernable threat to terrestrial and aquatic organisms.

Cuprous iodide is an active ingredient in the material preservative Cupron Cuprous Iodide Masterbatch, a material preservative that suppresses the growth of algae, mold, mildew, fungi and bacteria from manufactured products such as bedding, carpets, floor coverings, upholstery, shoes, gloves, sails and awnings.

This determination is in response to a 2019 lawsuit filed by the Center of Biological Diversity (CBD) alleging that EPA violated the Endangered Species Act (ESA). CBD expressed concern that Cupron Cuprous Iodide Masterbatch could jeopardize threatened and endangered species and their habitats.

To address these issues, Cupron submitted a label amendment that removed the use of cuprous iodide in frequently washed material goods. The remaining uses include certain fibers, plastics and films not expected to create down-the-drain discharge. After assessing the label amendments and completing a draft ecological risk assessment, EPA does not anticipate unreasonable adverse effects from the revised use of cuprous iodide.

Comments are accepted in docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2013-0433 at www.regulations.gov for 30 days, closing on Sept. 14, 2020.

Nootkatone Now Registered by EPA

This original announcement was published by the EPA on August 11, 2020. Click here for more! 

 

A new active ingredient, discovered and developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has been registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use in insecticides and insect repellents.

Studies show that when products are formulated from the new ingredient, nootkatone, they may repel and kill ticks, mosquitoes, and a wide variety of other biting pests. Nootkatone is responsible for the characteristic smell and taste of grapefruit and is widely used in the fragrance industry to make perfumes and colognes. It is found in minute quantities in Alaska yellow cedar trees and grapefruit skin.

Nootkatone can now be used to develop new insect repellents and insecticides for protecting people and pets. CDC’s licensed partner, Evolva, is in advanced discussions with leading pest control companies for possible commercial partnerships. Companies interested in developing brand name consumer products will be required to submit a registration package to EPA for review, and products could be commercially available as early as 2022.

“CDC is proud to have led the research and development of nootkatone,” said Jay C. Butler, MD, Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases. “Providing new alternatives to existing bite-prevention methods paves the way to solving one of biggest challenges in preventing vector-borne diseases—preventing bites.”

Studies show that when nootkatone is formulated into insect repellents, they may protect from bites at similar rates as products with other active ingredients already available and can provide up to several hours of protection.

Having a new effective ingredient for insecticide available will assist in addressing the growing levels of insecticide-resistance to other products currently in use, according to EPA.

“EPA is pleased to be continuing our partnership with CDC on registering nootkatone, which provides another tool to help protect the American public from biting insects and ticks,” said Alexandra Dapolito Dunn, EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “This new active ingredient has the potential to be used in future insect repellents and pesticides that will protect people from disease. In many areas of the United States, mosquitoes have become resistant to currently available pesticides. A new active ingredient in our toolbox will help vector-control programs.”

Mosquito- and tickborne diseases are a growing threat in every U.S. state and territory. The number of reported cases of mosquito- and tickborne diseases doubled from 2004 to 2018. Tickborne diseases represent almost 8 in 10 of all reported vector-borne disease cases in the U.S. Increasing risk from these diseases means increasing demands on federal, state, and local health departments and vector control agencies.

CDC has partnered with Evolva since 2014. In 2017, Evolva was awarded a Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) contract with the key objective of advancing the development of nootkatone and nootkatone-based products for protection against mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue and Zika. This work has been supported with federal funds from CDC and managed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), BARDA, under Contract No. HHSO100201700015C.

Upper Midwest Agriculture Safety and Health Center – ONLINE EXPO!

EXTRA!  EXTRA!
THE EXPO IS COMING – August 11-13, 2020!

CAN WE TALK? 
Two key elements of the UMASH Online Expo are the daily health and safety talks and live safety demonstrations.  Experts in ag health and safety will be presenting on a variety of topics all three days.

Come for one, stay for all!  Feel free to drop in and out throughout the day as your schedule allows.

 

ADD TO YOUR CALENDAR

Check out the full schedule of ag health and safety talks and live safety demos on our website, and use the “add to calendar” link.  You can add the full day’s schedule, or select short one-hour blocks.

VIEW THE SCHEDULE

EPA Holds Virtual Training for Pesticide Applicators in Indian Country

This original announcement was published by the EPA on August 2, 2020. Click here for more!

 

EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs will host a two-day virtual training on Aug. 19-20, 2020, to certify participants as private applicators of restricted-use pesticides (RUPs) in Indian country under the EPA Plan for the Federal Certification of Applicators of Restricted Use Pesticides within Indian Country (EPA Plan).

RUPs require special care to avoid harming human health and the environment. In accordance with the requirements in 40 CFR § 171, RUPs can only be sold to or used by pesticide applicators who are specially certified, or to persons under the direct supervision of a certified applicator. RUPs can only be used in areas where EPA has explicitly approved or implemented an applicator certification plan for that state, tribe or federal agency.

Any person who uses RUPs in an area of Indian country under the EPA Plan needs a federal certification from EPA. Additionally, some tribes may choose to further restrict or prohibit the use of RUPs in their areas through the implementation of tribal codes, laws, regulations or other applicable requirements. The EPA Plan does not supersede such tribal requirements. Applicators of RUPs in Indian country should take steps to determine if there are additional tribal requirements they must follow.

Applicators interested in attending the two-day, 12-hour course should express interest by providing a full name to EPAcertplan@epa.gov by Aug. 11, 2020. Another training is scheduled for Nov. 18-19, 2020.

Learn more about this training opportunity.

If you are a private or commercial applicator with a current and valid state, tribal or federal certification who wishes to apply RUPs in Indian country, please visit EPA’s website to learn more.

EPA Proposes Registration of New Herbicide to Aid in Resistance Management

This original announcement was published by the EPA on August 1, 2020. Click here for more! 

 

EPA is proposing to register a new active ingredient, tiafenacil, a contact herbicide.

EPA proposes tiafenacil for pre-plant and pre-emergence burndown use in corn (all types except sweet corn), cotton, soybeans and wheat. Proposed post-emergence uses include directed burndown in grapes, burndown in fallow and non-crop areas, and as a crop desiccant in cotton. There are no residential uses for tiafenacil proposed in this decision.

Tiafenacil is expected to be useful for herbicide-resistance management. It provides an alternative for controlling glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth in cotton, suppressing glyphosate-resistant marestail in corn and soybeans, and controlling waterhemp in corn and soybean.

The need for additional tools such as tiafenacil to manage these resistant weeds is growing, as herbicide resistance presents a significant financial, production and pest management issue for growers throughout the nation.

EPA assessed tiafenacil for registration on soybean, corn and cotton as a workshare with Canada’s Pesticide Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), with both agencies conducting separate assessments and then sharing results.

The database for tiafenacil indicates the chemical is generally low risk to non-target organisms other than plants, so most mitigation measures deal with avoiding contact with non-target plants. No other substantial risk mitigation was deemed necessary for the proposed uses.

EPA has not identified any dietary, residential, aggregate or occupational risks of concern for human health; therefore, no mitigation is being proposed.

Tiafenacil is proposed to be registered as one technical product and two end-use products.

The public comment period for this proposed decision will be open for 30 days, closing on Aug. 30, 2020. Visit Docket No. EPA-HQ-OPP-2019-0413 to read more and submit comments.