EPA extended comment period of sulfuryl fluoride phase-out issue

On April 6, EPA published a Federal Register Notice extending the comment period of the proposed phaseout of sulfuryl fluoride by 90 days to July 5, 2011. The Federal Register Notice also clarifies that rice is included among the commodities that will be affected by the recent EPA proposal. The docket for sulfuryl fluoride can be accessed at http://www.regulations.gov/#docketDetail;dct=FR+PR+N+O+SR;rpp=10;so=DESC;sb=postedDate;po=0;D=EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0174.

Sulfuryl fluoride is currently registered for the control of insect pests in stored grains, dried fruits, tree nuts, coffee and cocoa beans, and for use in food handling and processing facilities. Although sulfuryl fluoride residues in food contribute only a very small portion of total exposure to fluoride, when combined with other fluoride exposure pathways, including drinking water and toothpaste, EPA has concluded that the tolerance (legal residue limits on food) no longer meets the safety standard under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) and the tolerances for sulfuryl fluoride should be withdrawn.  Since sulfuryl fluoride is an important alternative to the ozone depleting pesticide methyl bromide, EPA is proposing to phase out uses of sulfuryl fluoride over a period of three years.  EPA will work with users of sulfuryl fluoride to identify potential alternatives.