US EPA releases assessment of PCNB bioaccumulation and long-range transport potential

The US EPA is releasing an assessment of the potential for bioaccumulation and long-range transport of the organochlorine fungicide pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB) and its degradates and contaminants.

For the risks associated with the environmental fate characteristics of PCNB and its degradates. The EPA terminated uses on home lawns and ornamentals, and sites such as parks, playgrounds, schoolyards and areas around apartments and daycare facilities, resolving concerns about exposures to homeowners, children and others. The agency also reduced allowable amounts of PCNB on certain crops, mitigating dietary risk concerns. More recently, the agency amended labels to reduce risks to workers who mix, load and apply PCNB. Thus, most PCNB uses have been eliminated or restricted in recent years.

PCNB is currently used to control diseases on vegetables, field crops, golf courses and ornamentals in commercial production.

This assessment is important to the consideration of risks and benefits of the remaining pesticide products containing PCNB. Risks to wildlife, both terrestrial and aquatic, remain to be addressed. The EPA will consider the newly released bioaccumulation assessment and other scientific studies as part of its ongoing reevaluation of PCNB.