United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Prevention, Pesticides 21T- lOOx And Toxic Substances June 1992 (H-7508W) R.E.D. FACTS Pesticide Reregistration Putrescent Whole Egg Solids All pesticides sold or used 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 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, describing 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 fact sheet summarizes the information in the RED for putrescent whole egg solids. Use Profile Regulatory History Putrescent whole egg solids are an active ingredient in pesticide products registered for use as animal repellents to protect a variety of trees and shrubs. These products are used in nurseries, large greenhouses and forestry plantations, on a variety of forest, fruit and nut trees, conifers and ornamental woody shrubs. They are applied in dust or liquid form to seedlings or full-grown trees and shrubs to repel black- and white-tailed deer, Roosevelt elk, and mountain beaver. EPA registered the first pesticide product containing putrescent whole egg solids as an active ingredient in 1975. Currently, six repellent products containing this active ingredient are registered. In 1985, EPA exempted putrescent whole egg solids from the requirement of a tolerance when used as an animal repellent in or on almonds (see 40 CFR 180.1071). Fresh eggs and egg products are "generally recognized as safe," or GRAS (see 21 CFR 170.3). ------- Human Health And Although EPA has developed a set of data requirements for Environmental reregistration, the Agency believes there is a category of pesticides for Assessment which a greatly 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 fate, 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. Putrescent whole egg solids are in this category of pesticides, and EPA is waiving most of the generic data requirements for their reregistration. Egg solids are a common human food. Putrescent whole egg solids (including inedible egg powder, dried whole egg and powdered inedible egg solids) are produced from eggs that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared inedible for human consumption due to cracked shells or imperfections. They are, therefore, a natural product, high in protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. Used as pesticides, putrescent whole egg solids have a non-toxic mode of action for repelling animals. They are presumed to be non-persistent since they are organic and are known to rapidly degrade in the environment. EPA has received no reports of adverse effects resulting from their use. The Agency believes that no significant adverse effects to humans or the environment are associated with the use of putrescent whole egg solids as pesticides. Additional Data EPA is not requiring the submission of additional generic data for the RedUJred active ingredient putrescent whole egg solids. However, EPA is requiring the submission of product specific data (product chemistry, acute toxicity and efficacy). These studies are being required now, through the RED. The labels of putrescent whole egg solid pesticide products must comply with EPA's current pesticide labeling requirements. • The registered animal repellent uses of putrescent whole egg solids are not likely to cause unreasonable adverse effects in people or the environment, and are eligible for reregistration. • The six registered products that contain putrescent whole egg solids as their only active ingredient will be reregistered once product-specific data and amended labeling are received and accepted by EPA. EPA is requesting public comments on the Reregistration Eligibility Document (RED) for putrescent whole egg solids during a 60-day time period, as announced in a Notice of Availability published in the Federal Register. To obtain a copy of the RED or to submit written comments, please contact the Public Response and Program Resources Branch, Field Product Labeling Changes Required Regulatory Conclusion For More Information ------- Operations Division (7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), US EPA, Washington, DC 20460, telephone 703-305-5805. In the future, the putrescent whole egg solids RED 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 putrescent whole egg solids or about EPA's pesticide reregistration program, please contact the Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508W), OPP, US EPA, Washington, DC 20460, telephone 703-308-8000. For information about reregistration of individual putrescent whole egg solids products, please contact the Registration Division (7505C), OPP, US EPA, Washington, DC 20460, telephone 703-305-5447. 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. ------- |