EPA To Review Nanoscale Materials In Pesticides

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced plans to obtain information on nanoscale materials in pesticide products. EPA will gather information on what nanoscale materials are present in pesticide products to determine whether the registration of a pesticide may cause unreasonable adverse effects on the environment and human health.

A number of organizations, as well as government, academic and private sector scientists, have considered whether the small size of nanoscale materials or the unique or enhanced properties of nanoscale materials may, under specific conditions, pose new or increased hazards to humans and the environment. EPA also has acknowledged that nanoscale materials have a range of potentially beneficial public and commercial applications, including pest control products.

The new proposed policy options will be published in the Federal Register. The notice is expected to also propose a new approach for how EPA will determine whether a nanoscale ingredient is a “new” active or inert ingredient for purposes of scientific evaluation under the pesticide laws, when an identical, non-nanoscale form of the nanoscale ingredient is already registered under FIFRA.

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