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Additional Highlights
October 19, 2009
Report to Congress on Mercury Compounds - EPA sent a report to Congress that identifies sources of mercury compounds in the United States and reports quantities in imports, exports, and uses of these compounds in products and processes. Required by Congress under Section 4 of the Mercury Export Ban Act of 2008, the report also assesses the potential for key mercury compounds to be exported for reprocessing into elemental mercury.
October 16, 2009
Test Guidelines and Schedule for Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program Released - As EPA prepares to order a comprehensive screening of chemical effects on hormones, the Agency is making available today the battery of scientific assays and test guidelines for conducting the assays, as well as a schedule for issuing test orders to manufacturers for each of 67 chemicals during the next three months. The documents will publish in the Federal Register on October 21, 2009.
October 7, 2009
New Atrazine Evaluation - EPA is launching this year a comprehensive new evaluation of the pesticide atrazine to determine its effects on humans. At the end of this process, the agency will decide whether to revise its current risk assessment of the pesticide and whether new restrictions are necessary to better protect public health.
October 1, 2009
EPA Opens Transparency Window into Pesticide Registration Decisions - EPA is establishing a new transparent process that will allow public review and comment on risk assessments and proposed registration decisions for pesticides. This expanded process will apply to all new pesticide active ingredients and first food uses, first outdoor uses, and first residential uses.
September 29, 2009
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson released a set of essential principles for reform of chemical management legislation to help inform efforts underway in Congress to reauthorize and significantly strengthen the effectiveness of TSCA, and announced a comprehensive approach to enhancing chemical management under existing laws. The Agency posted information on hazards posed by 100 additional high production volume (HPV) chemicals. Looking for information on existing chemicals? Check out EPA's updated existing chemicals Web site.
September 25, 2009
PCBs in Caulk - EPA has announced a series of steps building owners and school administrators should take to reduce exposure to PCBs that may be found in caulk in many buildings constructed or renovated between 1950 and 1978. The Agency is also conducting research to better understand the risks posed by caulk containing PCBs.
September 21, 2009
Pollution Prevention Week is September 21-27 - Next year is the 20th anniversary of the Pollution Prevention Act, which made P2 the option of first choice for reducing air emissions, water discharges, preventing health and environmental exposures to harmful substances, and the generation of wastes. Celebrate P2 Week with Us! -- Respond to EPA's Question of the Week, "What are you doing to reduce pollution?"
September 11, 2009
EPA has announced plans to place additional limitations on the use of three organophosphate pesticides - chlorpyrifos, diazinon and malathion - to protect endangered and threatened salmon and steelhead in California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
September 11, 2009
EPA is requesting comment on its proposal to require 90 days notice prior to U.S. manufacture, import or processing of elemental mercury for use in flow meters, natural gas manometers, and pyrometers. Read about the proposal.
September 9, 2009
As part of this EPA's commitment to transparency and to enhance accessibility, EPA has posted complete atrazine monitoring program drinking water data gathered from 150 community water systems over the six-year period 2003 through 2008.
August 26, 2009
EPA has announced a series of steps to increase protections against and raise awareness of lead-based products in our environment and communities, particularly to prevent lead poisoning in children. The steps are: additional proposed requirements to protect children from lead-based paint, a new effort to ban the manufacture of lead in tire weights and, a lead poisoning prevention video contest asking people to submit videos demonstrating steps that can be taken to prevent childhood lead poisoning. Create a video to help prevent lead poisoning 
.
June 22, 2009
EPA Honors Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award Recipients - For the 14th year, EPA is recognizing chemical technologies developed by leading researchers and industrial innovators who are making significant contributions to pollution prevention in the United States. Listen to podcasts about this year's winners. Watch the Green Scene video on Green Chemistry.
June 22, 2009
Protection Team Launched to Explore Bee Deaths - EPA has formed a pollinator protection team to expand the agency's inquiry into the possible causes of declines in pollinators, especially honey bee populations in the United States. The team has developed a strategic plan to guide it's work and direction in pollinators in the years ahead.
May 28, 2009
Antimicrobial Pesticide Product Registered for Anthrax Spore Decontamination - EPA has approved the first registration of an antimicrobial pesticide product to deactivate anthrax spores on dry, precleaned, hard, non-porous surfaces.
May 27, 2009
Implementation of New Risk Mitigation Measures for Soil Fumigant Pesticides - EPA is strengthening safety measures for soil fumigant pesticides. The safety measures will reduce fumigant exposures to bystanders and increase the overall safety of fumigant use by requiring greater planning and compliance.
May 11, 2009
Carbofuran Pesticide Residues in Food Revoked - EPA has revoked regulations that permitted small residues of the pesticide carbofuran in food. Carbofuran is a toxic insecticide that does not meet current U.S. food safety standards. Ultimately, EPA will remove this pesticide from the market.
May 1, 2009
List of Disinfectants Against 2009-H1N1 Flu : Disinfecting hard surfaces is one way to help stop the spread of the 2009-H1N1 virus. Registered disinfectant products are for use on hard, non-porous surfaces. These products should always be used according to label instructions and are not to be used on the skin or to be taken orally. Approved products specifically have label information which states they provide effectiveness against “Influenza A virus.”
April 16, 2009
U.S. and Canada to Increase Scrutiny of Flea and Tick Pet Products: A recent sharp increase in the number of incidents reported from the use of spot-on pesticide products for flea and tick control for pets has prompted the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to intensify its evaluation of whether further restrictions on the use of these products are necessary to better protect pets.
April 15, 2009
EPA Initiates Testing of Chemicals for Hormone Effects - To identify chemicals that may have effects on the hormone systems of people and animals, the Agency will soon be requiring testing of the first group of 67 pesticide chemicals through the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP). This scientific screening program will provide information to help EPA identify whether chemicals have the potential to interact with the endocrine system (estrogen, androgen and thyroid systems).
March 18, 2009
Voluntary Cancellation of Certain Carbofuran Uses - Effective March 18, EPA has granted a request from the registrant for voluntary cancellation of certain uses of and products containing flowable and granular carbofuran . All federally registered uses of carbofuran are being cancelled except four food crop uses and two non-food crop uses.
March 16, 2009
National Poison Prevention Week, March 15-21 - EPA is observing National Poison Prevention Week to increase awareness of the issue, encourage parents and caregivers to lock up products that could potentially harm children, and minimize children's exposure to unintentional poisonings from pesticides and household products. Learn more about how individuals and families can prevent poisonings and exposures to household cleaners and pesticides.
January 30, 2009
EPA announced it is extending the public comment period for 45 days on its advance notice of proposed rulemaking on formaldehyde emissions from pressed wood products, and that it will hold one additional public meeting in New Orleans on March 4, 2009, to enable more complete public participation.
January 12, 2009
Interim Report on Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program (NMSP) Available - EPA received a significant amount of data which has strengthened its understanding of the issues and commercial status of nanoscale materials. However, a number of environmental health and safety data gaps the Agency had hoped to fill through the NMSP still exist. EPA will continue the NMSP and is also considering how to best use its regulatory authorities to help address those data gaps.
