Take Action Before Monday, February 22nd
EPA is accepting public comment on their policy about "inert" ingredients in pesticides up until Monday, February 22nd - there's still time to tell EPA that secrets on pesticide labels aren't safe!
>>Here's our sample letter.
You can submit your comment over the web, or by mail. Either way, be sure to reference Docket # EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0635-0001, "Public Availability of Identities of Inert Ingredients in Pesticides."
>>Over the web, follow this link directly to the docket, or go to Regulations.gov and search for the docket titled "Public Availability of Identities of Inert Ingredients in Pesticides" using keyword "pesticides." Put your comment letter in the box on the right side - it's not necessary to include the address and docket number. Unless you work for a government agency, you can leave the fields on the left side blank.
>>By mail, send your letter to the address below. Be sure to reference the full docket number and title in your letter: EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0635-0001, "Public Availability of Identities of Inert Ingredients in Pesticides."
Attn: Mr. Kerry Leifer
Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), Regulatory Public Docket (7502P)
Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20460–0001
 |
Please contact Toxic Free
NC at
or (919) 833-1123 to let us know you're taking
action, or if you have any questions. Thank you! |
Sample text for your comment letter to EPA
Copy and paste the text below into the body of your comment to EPA, either as a letter or an electronic comment over the web (complete instructions above). You can edit this letter as you wish to add more personal information - please be sure to include the text [IN CAPS AND BRACKETS], below. Thank you!
Attn: Kerry Leifer
Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), Regulatory Public Docket (7502P)
Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20460–0001
Re: EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0635-0001, "Public Availability of Identities of Inert Ingredients in Pesticides."
Dear Mr. Leifer:
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's proposal to seek disclosure of inert ingredients in pesticide products. As a consumer who might be faced with an insect or other pest problem, I want to know what is in the products I may seek to control these pests. Current labeling leaves far too many secrets about the ingredients of pesticide products. I don't think it's fair or safe that no one knows just what's in pesticide products - not me, not my doctor, not the pest control professionals who apply them in homes and businesses, and not the farmers who apply them to our food crops.
I support EPA's proposal to require complete disclosure of inert ingredients on pesticide product labels. I request that EPA begin this process now and move forward with it as soon as possible. As an interim step that can speed up the process, I also support EPA's proposal to require that pesticide product labels identify inert ingredients that have already been classified as hazardous by EPA - you can do this right away!
I know that names of some of the inert ingredients are complicated chemical names that most people will not recognize. However, I don't think that's a good enough reason not to list them on the label - there are lots of complicated ingredients in foods and personal care products, and all are required to be listed on the labels. I can always ask my doctor for help in understanding the health implications of these chemicals, and I can also make use of the many public sources of information from scientific researchers, non-profits, and government agencies.
Thanks for the opportunity to comment on this important issue.
Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME AND CONTACT INFORMATION]
