*
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Prevention, Pesticides 21T-100x
And Toxic Substances , June 1992
(H-7508W) 51tO/FS~92-210
R.E.D. FACTS
3201
Allium sativunrr°s5:t;:"aA=Nw
(GARLIC)
Pesticide All pesticides sold or used in the United States must be registered by
Reregistration 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 years ago 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, showing the human health
and environmental effects of each pesticide. The Agency imposes any
regulatory controls that are needed to effectively manage each pesticide's
risks. EPA then reregisters pesticides that can be used without posing
undue hazards to human health or the environment.
When a pesticide is eligible for reregistration, EPA announces this
and explains why in a Reregistration Eligibility Document, or RED. This
feet sheet summarizes the information in the RED for Allium sativum
(garlic).
Use Profile
Allium sativum or garlic, formulated as a powder or a distilled
extract from garlic cloves, is an active ingredient in four registered
pesticide products; three of these products also contain the active ingredient
capsaicin (red pepper). The garlic pesticides are applied aerially or by
ground equipment, and are used to repel birds and/or insects and thus
prevent them from damaging seeds and seedlings of vegetable plants, fruit
trees, grain crops, ornamental plants and shrubbery.
Regulatory EPA registered the first two pesticide products containing garlic as an
History active ingredient in 1983 and 1985. Both products also contain red pepper,
and are used to repel birds. A third garlic and red pepper product, used to
repel insects, was registered in 1988. The fourth product, which contains
garlic as a single active ingredient, was registered in February 1991, also
to control insects.
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EPA previously classified garlic as a conventional chemical pesticide.
However, the Agency now is reclassifying garlic as a biochemical pesticide
since it is a naturally-occurring substance and has a non-toxic mode of
action.
Human Health
And Environmental
Assessment
Additional Data
Required
Although EPA has developed a set of data requirements for
reregistration, the Agency believes there is a category of pesticides for
which a reduced set of data requirements are appropriate. Such pesticides
may be exempt from the usual generic data requirements for toxicology,
residue chemistry, human exposure, ecological effects and environmental
fete, without compromising human health or environmental safety.
However, some data requirements (such as basic product identity and
product chemistry data) usually are essential, and generally will not be
waived.
Garlic is in this category of pesticides, and EPA is waiving most of
the generic data requirements for its reregistration. The bulb of a plant, its
primary use in the United States is non-pesticidal; it is used widely to
flavor and season foods. Garlic is "generally recognized as safe," or
GRAS, as a natural seasoning or flavoring (see 21 CFR 182.10, 182.20
and 184.1317).
Used as a pesticide, garlic has a non-toxic mode of action for
repelling target birds and insects. Garlic is presumed to be non-persistent
since it is material known to rapidly degrade in the environment. EPA has
received no reports of adverse effects resulting from its use. The Agency
believes that no significant adverse effects to humans or the environment
are associated with the use of garlic as a pesticide.
EPA is not requiring tha submission of additional
generic data for tha activa ingradiant garlic. Hovavar,
EPA in raquiring tha submission of product spacific data
(chemistry, acuta toxicity and afficacy). Thasa ara being
raquirad now, through tha RED
Product Labeling The labels of the four registered garlic pesticide products must
Changes Required comply with EPA's current pesticide labeling requirements. No other
labeling changes are being required at this time.
Regulatory
Conclusion
• The registered bird and insect repellent uses of garlic are not
likely to cause unreasonable adverse effects in people or the environment,
and are eligible for reregistration.
• The registered product that contains garlic as its only active
ingredient will be reregistered once product-specific data and amended
labeling are received and accepted by EPA.
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• The other three registered products that contain both garlic and
red pepper as active ingredients will be reregistered after product specific
data and labeling requested in this RED are received and accepted by EPA
and after a RED is issued for red pepper.
For More
Information
EPA is requesting public comments on the Reregistration Eligibility
Document (RED) for garlic during a 60-day time period, as announced in a
Notice of Availability published in the Eedsol Register. To obtain a copy
of the RED or to submit written comments, please contact the Public
Response and Program Resources Branch, Field Operations Division (H-
7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), US EPA, Washington, DC
20460, telephone 703-305-5805.
In the future, the garlic RED will be available from the National
Technical Information Service (NTTS), 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield,
VA 22161, telephone 703-487-4650.
For more information about garlic or about EPA's pesticide
reregistration program, please contact the Special Review and
Reregistration Division (H-7508W), OPP, US EPA, Wellington, DC
20460, telephone 703-308-8000. For information about reregistration of
individual garlic products, please contact the Registration Division, PM
Team 14 (H-7505C), OPP, US EPA, Wishington, DC 20460, telephone
703-305-6600.
For information about the health effects of pesticides, or for
assistance in recognizing and managing pesticide poisoning symptoms,
please contact the National Pesticides Telecommunications Network
(NPTN). Call toll-free 1-800-858-7378, 24 hours a day, seven days a
week, or Fax your inquiry to 806-743-3094.
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