July 1, 2015
EPA Proposes to Cancel Some Uses of an Insecticide Commonly Used for
Residential, Industrial and Commercial Purposes
The agency found unacceptable risks to human health when sprayed indoors
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is
proposing to cancel certain uses of the insecticide propoxur after
preliminary human health assessment found risks from certain
applications.
“Today, we are taking strong steps to protect human health—especially
the health of children—from this widely used insecticide,” said Jim
Jones, assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and
Pollution Prevention. “The agency will continue its work to reduce
exposure from pesticides that pose the greatest risk to those who are
the most vulnerable.”
From 1995 to 2013, EPA has reduced exposure from carbamates, the class
of insecticide that includes propoxur. The use of carbamates has fallen
by 70 percent.
EPA and the registrant reached an agreement to voluntarily cancel
certain uses of propoxur. At the same time, EPA is proposing to
cancel certain other pesticide registrations. Voluntary cancellation is
the quickest way to fully address these risks, and best protect public
health. EPA is proposing to cancel all indoor aerosol, spray and liquid
formulations of propoxur inside hospitals and other commercial or
institutional facilities where children may be present and all use in
food-handling establishments.
After these cancellations, there would be no remaining food uses, and no
tolerances levels for propoxur. In 2007, EPA cancelled the use of
propoxur sprays inside homes, day care facilities, and schools, and in
2014, EPA cancelled propoxur pet collars. Today’s action was conducted
as part of the agency’s registration review program.
EPA is requesting a 30 day comment period that will begin upon
publication in the Federal Register at: www.regulations.gov
and searching for EPA-HQ-OPP-2015-0296.
EPA is posting a pre-publication copy at:
http://www2.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/proposed-cancellation-certain-uses-propoxur
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