Bacillus circulans - information sheet

Strain ATCC 9500

Overview

The Government of Canada conducted a science-based evaluation of Bacillus circulans strain ATCC 9500, called a screening assessment, to address the potential for harm to Canadians and the environment.
Under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999), the risk posed by a substance is determined by considering both its hazardous properties (its potential to cause adverse human health or ecological effects) and the amount of exposure there is to people or to the environment. A substance may have hazardous properties; however, the risk to human health or to the environment may be low depending upon the level of exposure.
- More information on assessing risk can be found in the Framework for Science-Based Risk Assessment of Micro-Organisms Regulated under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.
In the case of Bacillus circulans strain ATCC 9500, the organism is not hazardous to human health or the environment; and exposure to the Canadians and the environment is medium. Therefore, it is concluded that Bacillus circulans strain ATCC 9500 is not harmful to human health or to the environment.

This screening assessment focuses on the organism Bacillus circulans strain ATCC 9500. This Priority B (medium hazard) organism was assessed as part of the micro-organisms initiative of the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP).
Bacillus circulans strain ATCC 9500 is a bacteria that could have a number of consumer, commercial, and industrial uses. The characteristics of Bacillus circulans strain ATCC 9500 make it suitable for use in various applications, including aquaculture, bioremediation, water treatment, and enzyme production.
Bacillus circulans strain ATCC 9500 is currently used in Canada for a variety of applications including biodegradation, drain cleaning and degreasing, septic tank maintenance, as well as waste and wastewater treatment.

Canadians may be exposed to Bacillus circulans strain ATCC 9500 from the use of consumer or commercial products containing this strain, and to a lesser extent from environmental media.
Bacillus circulans strain ATCC 9500 may be released to the Canadian environment from its deliberate addition to consumer or commercial products or its use in industrial processes in Canada.
Releases are expected to be from its use in drain cleaning and degreasing, septic tank maintenance, as well as waste and wastewater treatment.

There is no evidence in the scientific literature to suggest that Bacillus circulans strain ATCC 9500 is likely to have adverse effects on human health. In humans, Bacillus circulans is generally considered to be non-pathogenic, and is rarely isolated as an opportunistic pathogen in individuals with pre-existing health conditions.
In the unlikely event of infection, Bacillus circulans strain ATCC 9500 is sensitive to a variety of antibiotics.
There is no conclusive evidence in the scientific literature to suggest that Bacillus circulans strain ATCC 9500 is likely to have adverse effects on the environment or that it has adversely affected any terrestrial invertebrates at the population level.
However, in the context of experimental investigations into their biocontrol potential, some strains of Bacillus circulans have shown pathogenic potential towards some insects and nematodes when directly inoculated with high concentrations.

Considering all information presented in this assessment, the risk to human health from Bacillus circulans strain ATCC 9500 is low.
Also, considering all information presented, there is low risk of harm to organisms and the broader integrity of the environment from Bacillus circulans strain ATCC 9500.
The Government of Canada published the Final Screening Assessment for Bacillus Circulans Strain ATCC 9500 on February 24, 2018.

As a result of this screening assessment, the Government concluded that Bacillus circulans strain ATCC 9500 is not harmful to human health at current levels of exposure.
The Government also concluded that Bacillus circulans strain ATCC 9500 is not entering the environment at levels that are harmful to the environment.

The Government proposes that no further action under CEPA 1999 be taken on this organism in regards to potential risk to Canadians and to the environment.

Bacillus circulans strain ATCC 9500 can be found in products available to consumers. Canadians should follow any safety warnings and directions on product labels and dispose of products responsibly.

2018-06-20