We are pleased to present you with Taft’s Environmental newsletter, a collection of insights from our team to yours. For more information on our environmental practice, please visit www.taftlaw.com.

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ARTICLES
 
EPA Indefinitely Extends Emerging Viral Pathogen Guidance for COVID-19
By: Chase Dressman and Megan Luby
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that it has indefinitely extended its emerging viral pathogens (EVP) guidance for antimicrobial pesticides. This allows registrants with a pre-qualified EVP designation to continue to claim the efficacy of their antimicrobial products against viruses similar to SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

EPA regulates antimicrobial pesticides — which include household disinfectants and sanitizers — under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). These products cannot be sold absent registration with EPA under FIFRA, which typically requires that any claims for the product’s use against a specific pathogen be supported by EPA-reviewed data. EPA’s review of data can often take a year or longer. The emergence of new viral pathogens complicates this process, as antimicrobial product manufacturers must both test their products’ efficacy against the emerging pathogen and navigate the lengthy EPA review process. This process poses significant hurdles to ensuring the public’s timely access to EPA-approved products that can be used to combat the rapid spread of emerging viruses like SARS-CoV-2.
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Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Issues a Comprehensive Draft PFAS Monitoring Plan
By: John Huldin and Kodi Verhalen
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued a comprehensive Draft PFAS Monitoring Plan to address the emerging concerns surrounding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The plan places PFAS, a widely used and diverse set of chemicals that are used to manufacture a wide variety of products, such as nonstick cookware, fire-fighting foam, and water- and stain-resistant fabrics and materials, and their status as “forever chemicals” into the primary focus of the MPCA.
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This article is the first in a six-part series. Access the remaining articles below: 
 
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We encourage you to visit our Environmental Law LinkedIn Showcase page, where additional articles are published.
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Taft’s Environmental Law Newsletter is used to inform our clients and friends of significant new developments and current issues in environmental law. For more information about Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, please visit http://www.taftlaw.com.

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