Advisory Panel’s Advice on Nanosilver Raises Concerns Over Possible EPA Response
In the February 9, 2010, issue of BNA Daily Environment Report, Lynn L. Bergeson states that the recommendations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) create regulatory uncertainty, which will discourage companies hoping to enter the antimicrobial market for products containing nanosilver and other nanoscale metals. According to Bergeson, while SAP’s recommendations urge EPA to obtain additional information on nanosilver before granting new registrations, SAP did not address how EPA should handle existing registrations for pesticide products, which will create regulatory uncertainty for companies that already have registrations containing nanoscale silver and for those seeking approval of new registrations.