United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Prevention, Pesticides
And Toxic Substances
(7501W)
EPA-738-F-99-eSS'
March 1999
R.E.D. FACTS
Viirelure
Pesticide
Reregistration
Use Profile
Regulatory
History
All pesticides sold or distributed in the United States must be
registered by EPA, based on scientific studies showing that they can be used
without posing unreasonable risks to people or the environment. Because of
advances in scientific knowledge, the law requires that pesticides which were
first registered before November 1, 1984, be reregistered to ensure that they
meet today's more stringent standards.
In evaluating pesticides for reregistration, EPA obtains and reviews a
complete set of studies from pesticide producers, describing the human
health and environmental effects of each pesticide. The Agency develops
any mitigation measures or regulatory controls needed to effectively reduce
each pesticide's risks. EPA then reregisters pesticides that can be used
without posing unreasonable risks to human health or the environment.
When a pesticide is eligible for reregistration, EPA explains the basis
for its decision in a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) document.
This feet sheet summarizes the information in the RED document for
reregistration case 4118, virelure.
Viirelure is an insect pheromone that attracts male artichoke plume
moths. They are either attracted to a trap, where they become entrapped and
die, or the release of the pheromone from a dispenser disrupts then: mating
activity. The mode of action is non-toxic.
A manufacturing-use product and two end-use products are presently
registered for virelure. End-use products are twist-ties that are distributed
throughout the affected area.
Because of its containment, virelure's use sites are considered
terrestrial non-food. The artichoke plume moth is only a pest of artichokes;
therefore, virelure would be used in areas where artichokes are grown.
Virelure was first registered as a pesticide hi the U.S. in 1981. In
1989, there were three registered end-use products and two registered
manufacturing-use products. As of 1996, one manufecturing-use product
and two end-use products were registered; all other products were canceled
for non-payment of maintenance fees. Data on product chemistry were
received in response to a Data Call-in in 1993.
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Human Health
Assessment
Toxicity
Adequate mammalian toxicology data on virelure are available for its
use in a solid-matrix dispenser and will support a Reregistration Eligibility
Decision (RED). Oral and inhalation toxicology indicate that virelure is
practically nontoxic by these routes. Studies submitted for eye and dermal
irritation resulted in a classification of Toxicology Category HI.
Dietary Exposure
Since there are no food uses of virelure, dietary exposure is not
expected.
Human Risk Assessment
Based on the use pattern, the potential for dermal and eye exposures to
pesticide handlers exists but is expected to be negligible. Residential
exposure is not expected based on the use pattern.
Environmental
Assessment
Adequate data are available to satisfy adverse risk concerns to
nontarget organisms. Virelure is practically nontoxic to terrestrial animals
Virelure is highly toxic to freshwater invertebrates and creates an oily
surface film on water that may adversely affect organisms that utilize the
water surface. Based on its uses, studies for non-target plants are not
required.
Based on the use pattern, the potential for exposure to non-target
organisms is not expected.
Additional Data The generic database supporting the reregistration of virelure for the
Required above eligible uses has been reviewed and determined to be substantially
complete. Therefore, there are no further generic data requirements being
imposed at this time.
Product Labeling The labels of all registered pesticide products containing virelure must
Changes Required comP!y with EPA'S current pesticide product labeling requirements. In
addition:
NPDES Statement - Manufacturing-use product labels must contain the
following NPDES statement: "Do not discharge effluent containing this
active ingredient into lakes, streams, ponds, estuaries, oceans, or public
waters unless this product is specifically identified and addressed in an
NPDES permit. Do not discharge effluent containing this product to sewer
systems without previously notifying the sewage treatment plant authority.
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For guidance contact your State Water Board or Regional Office of the
EPA."
Regulatory
Conclusion
For More
Information
Precautionary Statement - The following statement should appear under the
"Precautionary Statement" heading on the label: "Causes slight eye and
dermal irritation. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, or clothing. Wash
thorougWy with soap and water after handling."
Environmental Hazard - The following statement should appear under the
"Environmental Hazards" heading on the label: "This product is highly toxic
to aquatic invertebrates. Do not apply directly to water or to areas where
surface water is present or to intertidal areas below the mean high water
mark. Do not contaminate water by cleaning of equipment or disposal of
equipment washwaters."
Non-Food Use - In conformity with virelure's non-food use, labels should
contain the statement: "Do not contaminate water, food or feed by storage or
disposal."
Based on the review of the generic data for the active ingredients
virelure, the Agency has sufficient information on the health effects of
virelure and on its potential for causing adverse effects in fish and wildlife
and the environment. The Agency has determined that virelure products,
labeled and used as specified in the Reregistration Eligibility Decision, will
not pose unreasonable risks or adverse effects to humans or the
environment. Therefore, the Agency concludes that, for products containing
virelure fin twist-tie dispensers, all uses are eligible for reregistration.
EPA is requesting public comments on the Reregistration Eligibility
Decision (RED) document for virelure during a 60-day time period, as
announced in a Notice of Availability published hi the Federal Register. To
obtain a copy of the RED document or to submit written comments, please
contact the Pesticide Docket, Public Response and Program Resources
Branch, Field Operations Division (7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs
(OPP), US EPA, Washington, DC 20460, telephone
703-305-5805.
Electronic copies of the RED and this feet sheet can be downloaded
from the Pesticide Special Review and Reregistration Information System at
703-308-7224. They also are available on the Internet on EPA's gopher
server, GOPHER.EPA.GOV, or using ftp on FTP.EPA.GOV, or using
WWW (World Wide Web) on WWW.EPA. GOV.
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Printed copies of the RED and feet sheet can be obtained from EPA's
National Center for Environmental Publications and Information
(EPA/NCEPI), PO Box 42419, Cincinnati, OH 45242-0419, telephone 513-
489-8190, fax 513-489-8695.
Following the comment period, the viielure RED document also will
be available from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285
Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161, telephone 703-487-4650.
For more information about EPA's pesticide reregistration program,
the virelure RED, or reregistration of individual products containing
virelure, please contact Robyn Rose (703) 308-9581 or the Biopesticides and
Pollution Prevention Division (7511WC), OPP, US EPA, Washington, DC
20460, telephone
703-308-8712.
For information about the health effects of pesticides, or for assistance
in recognizing and managing pesticide poisoning symptoms, please contact
Robyn Rose (703) 308-9581 or the Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention
Division (7511C), OPP, US EPA, Washington, DC 20460, telephone (703)
308-8712.
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