Chloropicrin Risk Assessments Available for Comment

EPA is requesting public comment on the Agency's human health and ecological risk assessments for chloropicrin, a non-selective, pre-plant soil fumigant used in the production of tobacco, tomatoes, strawberries, and other crops. Chloropicrin is used alone and in combination with other soil fumigants. EPA is concurrently assessing the risks of five soil fumigant pesticides, including chloropicrin, to ensure that its assessment approaches are consistent and to ensure that risk trade-offs and economic outcomes can be adequately predicted in reaching risk management decisions.

A fungicide, herbicide, insecticide, and nematicide, chloropicrin is used primarily for pre-plant soil fumigation in agricultural crops and greenhouses, most often in combination with methyl bromide or telone. Chloropicrin also is used in the fumigation of empty grain and storage bins, tree replant sites, and wood telephone poles and timber.

In issuing the chloropicrin risk assessments for public comment, EPA seeks to increase its understanding of chloropicrin use methods and practices. Comments addressing any or all of the 27 questions set forth in the Agency's November 29, 2006, Federal Register notice of availability (see link below) will be especially useful.

EPA plans to complete reregistration eligibility decisions (REDs) for chloropicrin and several other soil fumigant pesticides in 2007. For additional information, please see the Agency's Soil Fumigant Assessments Web page, http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/reregistration/soil_fumigants/

EPA requests public comment on the chloropicrin risk assessments by January 29, 2007. The Agency's November 29, 2006, Federal Register notice is available at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2006/November/Day-29/p20145.htm. The chloropicrin risk assessments and related information can be found at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket #EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0661




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