New EPA Guidance: Alternate Testing Framework for Classification of Eye Irritation Potential of EPA Pesticide Products

Author: Marilyn Matevia, HSUS

The EPA has released updated guidance for testing antimicrobial cleaning products for their potential to cause eye irritation. From the EPA announcement:

This updated guidance document, effective immediately, describes a testing framework for assessing eye irritation potential of EPA-registered antimicrobial cleaning products using three in vitro/ex vivo assays (non-animal tests):

• Bovine Corneal Opacity and Permeability assay (BCOP).
• EpiOcular assay (EO).
• Cytosensor Microphysiometer (CM) assay.

The same testing approach is currently considered on a case-by-case basis for other classes of pesticides and pesticide products. This updated guidance document replaces the 2013 version of this document.”

The document is available here.