EPA Restricts Pesticides Impacting Cystic Fibrosis

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation recently announced a triumph on the restriction of products containing bacterial strains of Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia) complex.

After years of effort by the CF Foundation to curb the commercial use of these bacteria in the environment, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently canceled the registrations of all pesticide products containing B. cepacia. It also restricted the use of these bacteria in products for bioremediation or environmental clean-up. Exposure to B. cepacia for people with cystic fibrosis can result in 'cepacia syndrome' a severe, life-threatening lung infection that is very difficult to treat. B. cepacia also can be spread among people with cystic fibrosis through person-to-person contact.

Following the issuance of an EPA report about B. cepacia and cystic fibrosis, the EPA requested new scientific data concerning the safety of a biopesticide containing B. cepacia. Rather than submit the information, the manufacturer voluntarily withdrew its product from the market.

Additionally, the EPA finalized its rule regarding other commercial uses of B. cepacia in the environment. This new ruling, published in the Federal Register on June 13, bans the distribution or sale of any products that contain B. cepacia and requires companies to notify the EPA 90 days in advance of manufacturing, importing or processing any new items that contain B. cepacia. The 90-days-notice requirement allows the EPA to evaluate a company's intended use of B. cepacia and, if necessary, prohibit or limit that use before it occurs.

The types of products covered by this rule include biofertilizers, biotechnology reagents, waste treatment products, pollutant degradation agents and products for turf management and degradation of grease in drains.