April 24, 2002—BBJ Environmental Solutions’ CEO Robert Baker recently chaired a panel discussion of EPA’s new policy position advisory on the safe and effective use of Antimicrobial products in Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (“HVAC/R”) systems.
The session was held as part of the Healthy Indoor Environments Conference.
The panel addressed the issues highlighted in a letter signed March 14 by Marsha Mulkey, Director of EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs.
In her letter, Mulkey cautioned users to take care in selecting products for use in HVAC/R systems, pointing out there is the potential for human health and other risks with products that have not been specifically registered for such uses, stating, “We are particularly concerned about this possibility because the Agency has not assessed the potential exposure and risks to building occupants or applicators from the use of these products in or on any surfaces that are part of HVAC/R systems in circumstances where the labels do not specifically authorize use in HVAC/R systems. Also, the Agency has not assessed whether such products are efficacious when used in HVAC/R systems.”
The panel discussed the steps that EPA is taking to see that additional products are reviewed and legally registered for sale in the U.S. if found to be safe and effective for HVAC/R uses.
For more information, contact BBJ Environmental Solutions.
