Pseudomonas fluorescens - information sheet 

Pseudomonas fluorescens
Strain ATCC 13525

Updated June 19, 2021:

The Final Screening Assessment for the Pseudomonas fluorescens strain ATCC 13525 was published in February 2015 under the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP). The assessment is summarized in this information sheet and has not changed. The section in this information sheet entitled "Preventive actions and reducing risk" communicates updates in risk management activities, namely:

• A proposed amendment to the Domestic Substances List (DSL) to change the requirements for this organism under the Significant New Activity (SNAc) provisions of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999).

On this page

• Overview
• About this organism
• Human and ecological exposures
• Key health and ecological effects (hazard)
• Risk assessment outcomes
  • Screening assessment conclusions
• Preventive actions and reducing risk
• Related information

Overview

• The Government of Canada conducted a science-based evaluation, called a screening assessment, to address the potential for harm to Canadians and to the environment from Pseudomonas fluorescens strain ATCC 13525.
• Under CEPA 1999, the risk posed by an organism is determined by considering both its hazardous properties (its potential to cause adverse human health or ecological effects) and the amount of exposure to people and the environment. An organism may have hazardous properties; however, the risk to human health or to the environment may be low if the level of exposure is low. Pseudomonas fluorescens strain ATCC 13525 is not hazardous to the health of the general Canadian population or to the environment. Although some hazards were identified in health care settings, current exposures are not of concern. Therefore, it is concluded that Pseudomonas fluorescens strain ATCC 13525 is not harmful to human health or to the environment.

About this organism

• The screening assessment summarized here focused on one organism, Pseudomonas fluorescens strain ATCC 13525.
• This Priority A (higher hazard) organism was assessed as part of the micro-organisms initiative of the CMP.
• Pseudomonas fluorescens strain ATCC 13525 is a strain of bacteria that could have a number of consumer, commercial and industrial uses.
• Pseudomonas fluorescens strain ATCC 13525 has characteristics in common with other strains of the species Pseudomonas fluorescens, which are found in nature.
• The characteristics of Pseudomonas fluorescens strain ATCC 13525 make it suitable for use in various applications including enzyme and chemical production, pulp and paper and textile processing, municipal and industrial wastewater treatment, waste degradation (particularly in petroleum refineries), bioremediation and biodegradation, as well as in commercial and household drain cleaners and degreasers, septic tank additives and general cleaning and odour-control products.
• Pseudomonas fluorescens strain ATCC 13525 was reported to be manufactured in or imported into Canada.

Human and ecological exposures

• According to information available to the Government, exposure of Canadians is expected from the application of products available to consumers, such as septic tank or recreational vehicle tank additives, drain cleaning or degreasing products.
• Use of this organism in biodegradation and bioremediation applications will result in their release to the soil, and effluent discharge from wastewater treatment, degreasing or drain cleaning could result in its release to aquatic environments.

Key health and ecological effects (hazard)

• The species Pseudomonas fluorescens is considered to be an opportunistic pathogen and some strains have been reported to infect humans with compromised immunity. Human outbreaks have been associated with contaminated medical devices and fluids. The key human health effects of concern are associated with contamination of blood products and medical devices with Pseudomonas fluorescens. Pseudomonas fluorescens strain ATCC 13525 is susceptible to several antibiotics.
• Some strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens are reported to be opportunistic pathogens in fish under stress from transportation or cultivated in commercial hatcheries.

Risk assessment outcomes

• Based on the information presented, the risk of human health from Pseudomonas fluorescens strain ATCC 13525 is low.
• Also considering all information presented, there is low risk of harm to organisms and the broader integrity of the environment from Pseudomonas fluorescens strain ATCC 13525
• The Government of Canada published the Final Screening Assessment for Pseudomonas fluorescens strain ATCC 13525 on February 14, 2015.

Screening assessment conclusions

• The Government concluded that Pseudomonas fluorescens strain ATCC 13525 is not harmful to human health at current levels of exposure.
• The Government also concluded that Pseudomonas fluorescens strain ATCC 13525 is not entering the environment at levels that may be harmful to the environment.

Preventive actions and reducing risk

• Although current exposures to Pseudomonas fluorescens strain ATCC 13525 are not considered to be harmful to human health or to the environment, it could become harmful to human health if used in a manner that could contaminate medical devices or fluids. Consequently, the Government has applied the Significant New Activity (SNAc) provisions of CEPA 1999 to Pseudomonas fluorescens strain ATCC 13525.
• The SNAc provisions require a person (individual or corporation) proposing to use this organism in a health care setting or in a consumer product to submit prescribed information to the Government for assessment of potential risks to human health. If risks are identified, the Government can take action to manage them.
• It was determined that the wording used in item 2 of the SNAc description should be modified to reflect the applicable clauses of exemptions under section 2 of the New Substances Notification Regulations (Organisms).
• On July 19, 2021, a notice of intent to amend the DSL to vary the requirements under the SNAc provisions for Pseudomonas fluorescens strain ATCC 13525 was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 155, No. 25 as a result of the Government's review of current SNAc orders and notices. This publication has a 60-day public comment period ending on September 17, 2021. Current SNAc requirements remain in effect until the final order is published in the Canada Gazette, Part II.
• Further information and updates on risk management actions can be found in the CMP risk management actions table.

Related information

• Pseudomonas fluorescens strain ATCC 13525 can be found in products available to consumers. Canadians should follow any safety warnings and directions on product labels and dispose of products responsibly.
• The screening assessment for Pseudomonas fluorescens strain ATCC 13525 focused on potential risks of exposure to the general population of Canada, rather than occupational exposure. Hazards related to organism used in the workplace are defined within the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System. For information concerning workplace health and safety, Canadians should consult their employer and/or the Occupational Health and Safety Regulator in their jurisdiction for information on what steps to take in the workplace.