Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Notice.
EPA has received a quarantine exemption request from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to use the pesticide ethylene oxide (CAS No. 75–21–8) to sterilize the interior surfaces of enclosed animal isolator units to control microorganisms. The applicant proposes a use of a pesticide which contains an active ingredient which is or has been the subject of a Special Review, and which could pose a risk similar to the risk which is or has been the subject of the Special Review. EPA is soliciting public comment before making the decision whether or not to grant the exemption.
Comments must be received on or before May 13, 2013.
Submit your comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA–HQ–OPP–2013–0276, by one of the following methods:
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Additional instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along with more information about dockets generally, is available at
Keri Grinstead, Registration Division (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001; telephone number: (703) 308–8373; fax number: (703) 605–0781; email address:
You may be potentially affected by this action if you are an agricultural producer, food manufacturer, or pesticide manufacturer. The following list of North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a guide to help readers determine whether this document applies to them. Potentially affected entities may include:
• Crop production (NAICS code 111).
• Animal production (NAICS code 112).
• Food manufacturing (NAICS code 311).
• Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS code 32532).
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i. Identify the document by docket ID number and other identifying information (subject heading,
ii. Follow directions. The Agency may ask you to respond to specific questions or organize comments by referencing a Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part or section number.
iii. Explain why you agree or disagree; suggest alternatives and substitute language for your requested changes.
iv. Describe any assumptions and provide any technical information and/or data that you used.
v. If you estimate potential costs or burdens, explain how you arrived at your estimate in sufficient detail to allow for it to be reproduced.
vi. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns and suggest alternatives.
vii. Explain your views as clearly as possible, avoiding the use of profanity or personal threats.
viii. Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period deadline identified.
3.
Under section 18 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (7 U.S.C. 136p), at the discretion of the EPA Administrator, a Federal or State agency may be exempted from any provision of FIFRA if the EPA Administrator determines that emergency conditions exist which require the exemption. USDA APHIS has requested the EPA Administrator to issue a quarantine exemption for the use of ethylene oxide to sterilize interior
As part of this request, the applicant asserts that without the ability to sterilize animal isolators, NVSL and NADC would not be able to conduct studies of national importance. NVSL and NADC provide diagnosis for animal diseases and diagnostic support for disease control and eradication. Ethylene oxide is an effective sterilizer, yet is non-corrosive on delicate instruments and electrical equipment.
The applicant proposes that enclosed animal isolator units used at USDA NVSL and NADC in Ames, IA will be sterilized 5 to 7 times over the 3-year term of the exemption. Six pounds of product (8.6% ethylene oxide) will be applied to each unit for each sterilization.
This notice does not constitute a decision by EPA on the application itself. The regulations governing FIFRA section 18 require publication of a notice of receipt of an application for a quarantine exemption proposing use of a pesticide which contains an active ingredient which is or has been the subject of a Special Review, and which could pose a risk similar to the risk which is or has been the subject of the Special Review. The notice provides an opportunity for public comment on the application. The Agency will review and consider all comments received during the comment period in determining whether to issue the quarantine exemption requested by the USDA APHIS.
Environmental protection, Pesticides and pests.