SNWG Concerned About EPA's Regulation of Nanoscale Pesticide Products

Posted on June 1, 2010 by Lynn L. Bergeson

In a May 25, 2010, letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP), the Silver Nanotechnology Working Group (SNWG) expressed its concern regarding the pending Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) interpretation concerning the regulation of nanoscale pesticide products. In its letter, SNWG states that the new interpretation, which “includes an unsupported and arbitrary definition of ‘nanomaterial’ and ignores decades of historical safety data,” would be “a major and damaging change in policy.” SNWG lists the following concerns:

  • Institutionalize an arbitrary definition of nanotechnology;
  • Contradict the statutory language and purpose of Section 6(a)(2) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA);
  • Improperly characterize nanosilver as a ‘new’ pesticide;
  • Stifle innovation without any benefit to human health and/or the environment; and
  • Promote a negative public perception regarding nanotechnology as a whole.

SNWG urges EPA to consider its concerns prior to releasing the pending policy.

 

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SNWG Responds to SAP Report on Nanosilver and Other Nanometal Oxide Pesticide Products

Posted on February 10, 2010 by Lynn L. Bergeson

In a February 5, 2010, letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Pesticide Programs, the Silver Nanotechnology Working Group (SNWG) provides its reactions to the recent Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) report on nanosilver and other nanometal oxide pesticide products. In its letter, SNWG highlights a number of the statements and recommendations from the SAP report that it considers “highly relevant for the shaping of EPA policy towards nanosilver materials.” SNWG notes that nanosilver is not a new material; clarity is needed on EPA concept of nano; real-life conditions are essential for realistic risk assessment; EPA policy must allow for sustainable technology development; and SAP frequently confounded general “nano”-related issues and uncertainties with issues specific to nanosilver.

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SNWG Presents Data on Silver and Nanotechnology to the SAP

Posted on December 11, 2009 by Lynn L. Bergeson

The Silver Nanotechnology Working Group (SNWG) issued a press release regarding its presentation to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) at its November 3-6, 2009, meeting. EPA asked the SAP “to consider and review a set of scientific issues related to the assessment of hazard and exposure associated with nanosilver and other nanometal pesticide products.” According to EPA, companies with an interest in marketing products that contain nanosilver and/or other nanometals or nanometal oxides as pesticides regulated under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) have approached the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) seeking product registration. SNWG’s analysis included the key conclusions that nanosilver is not a new material and that EPA has “safely and successfully” regulated nanosilver products for decades.

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