The Environmental Protection Agency has published Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Section 18 exemption request for propoxur in the Federal Register. The public comment period ends on January 21.

The docket is EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0856.

The notice:  Propoxur; Receipt of Application for Emergency Exemption; Solicitation of Public Comment (PDF)

ODA’s application and supporting documentation, including draft labels and supporting letters:  Supporting and Related Materials (PDF)

The three products are:

• Prenbay 1% Oil Solution (Prentiss Incorporated)
• Invader HPX Residual with Propoxur (FMC Corporation)
• Prescription Treatment Brand 250 Propoxur (Whitmire Micro-Gen Research Laboratories)

From Matt Beal’s letter:

Ohio is requesting a Section 18 Exemption for the use of three formulations of Propoxur for the control of bed bugs in residential single or multiple unit dwellings, apartments, hotels, motels, office buildings, modes of transportation, and commercial industrial buildings in Ohio.

From Dr. Susan Jones’ supporting letter:

In my opinion, the current bed bug crisis represents an urgent, non-routine situation that warrants a FIFRA Section 18 emergency exemption.

The draft labels (restricted use for certified applicators) are included; all three are ready to use products and include a 14-day re-treatment restriction — and needless to say cannot be used for treating mattresses.

I would suggest to individuals and organizations in Ohio looking for guidance to contact the Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force.