Oh I'm searching for the right thing all right, Joe. But I found that there was no need to call the FDA. That's the wrong agency. Too bad Baron Ornery didn't research a little more when he crafted his response. It turns out the these kinds of Antimicrobials fall under the review of the EPA, not the FDA. It has been this way for quite some time. (Oh, and to save you time, I have searched the EPA site as well and National Boston Medical, Growth Industries and Fragrance International are not listed with the agency.)
Here is a little sampler from just one EPA document:
Public health antimicrobials control disease-causing microorganisms such as E. coli, Salmonella, the AIDS virus, and the tuberculosis bacterium. They may be used to sterilize, disinfect, or sanitize certain medical instruments, telephones, toilet seats, floors, walls, bed linens, dishes and food preparation areas. Of the 5000 antimicrobial pesticides on the U.S. market, approximately 3000 are public health pesticides. Because public health antimicrobials kill germs, they are often called germicides.
3. What is the registration process for antimicrobial pesticides?
Before anyone can legally sell a non-public health pesticide in the United States, EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) carefully reviews data to ensure that the pesticide will be safe if used as directed. Companies are required to provide EPA with data describing the chemical composition of their product; toxicology data to document the hazards associated with the use of the product; and labeling that reflects the required elements for safe and effective use. When the Agency is satisfied with the data and has approved the packaging and labeling, it gives the company a registration number (equivalent to a license) so that the company may sell the product under the terms of the registration.
Public health antimicrobial pesticides undergo a more stringent approval process than other pesticides. In addition to the data requirements listed above, companies must also submit efficacy data to document their claims against specific disease-causing organisms and to support the directions for use provided in labeling.
epa.gov |
