Proposed Re-evaluation Decision PRVD2021-09, Mustard Seed Powder (Brassica hirta) and Sodium Alpha-olefin Sulfonate and Their Associated End-use Products

• Pest Management Regulatory Agency
• 30 July 2021
• ISSN: 1925-0967 (PDF version)
• Catalogue number: H113-27/2021-9E-PDF (PDF version)

Table of contents

• Proposed re-evaluation decision
• Next steps
• Additional scientific information

Proposed re-evaluation decision

Under the authority of the Pest Control Products Act, all registered pesticides must be re-evaluated by Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) to ensure that they continue to meet current health and environmental safety standards and continue to have value. The re-evaluation considers data and information from pesticide manufacturers, published scientific reports, and other regulatory agencies, as well as comments received during public consultations. Health Canada applies internationally accepted risk assessment methods as well as current risk management approaches and policies.

Mustard seed powder (Brassica hirta) and sodium alpha-olefin sulfonate are registered to control Richardson ground squirrels and Norway rats via a physical mode of action (in other words, asphyxiation/suffocation). They are used in rangeland, ornamental plantings, orchards, golf courses, parks, nurseries and non-crop rights-of-way. These two active ingredients are registered as a co-formulation in both the technical grade active ingredient and the end-use product. The end-use product is applied as foam to the burrows of these animals. Currently registered products containing mustard seed powder and sodium alpha-olefin sulfonate can be found in Appendix I of PRVD2021-09.

This document (Proposed Re-evaluation Decision PRVD2021-09, Mustard Seed Powder (Brassica hirta) and Sodium Alpha-olefin Sulfonate and Their Associated End-use Products) presents the proposed regulatory decision for the re-evaluation of mustard seed powder and sodium alpha-olefin sulfonate including the proposed risk mitigation measures.

These products also have value in providing a pest management solution. When the current label directions are followed, potential risks to human health (occupational, dietary, residential and bystander) and the environment (aquatic and terrestrial organisms) are considered to be acceptable. However, label updates are proposed to meet the current labelling standards. Mustard is a priority food allergen. Therefore, a label warning statement that the product contains the allergen mustard is proposed. Other updates to standard label statements related to human health (wording around protective eye wear) and the environment (environmental precautions and storage) are also proposed.

Under the authority of the Pest Control Products Act, and based on the evaluation of currently available scientific information, products containing mustard seed powder and sodium alpha-olefin sulfonate (listed in Appendix I of PRVD2021-09) are proposed for continued registration in Canada, with the proposed updates to label directions (Appendix II of PRVD2021-09).

All products containing mustard seed powder and sodium alpha-olefin sulfonate registered in Canada are subject to this proposed re-evaluation decision. The document PRVD2021-09 is subject to a 90-day public consultation period, during which the public, including the pesticide manufacturers and stakeholders, may submit written comments and additional information to PMRA Publications. The final re-evaluation decision will be published taking into consideration the comments and information received.

Registered pesticide product labels include specific directions for use. Directions include risk mitigation measures to protect human health and the environment that must be followed by law. As a result of the re-evaluation of mustard seed powder (Brassica hirta) and sodium alpha-olefin sulfonate, no additional risk mitigation measures are proposed by Health Canada.

Next steps

The public, including the registrants and stakeholders, are encouraged to submit comments and information on this proposed decision during the 90-day public consultation period^{Footnote 1} upon publication of this proposed re-evaluation decision PRVD2021-09.

All comments received during the 90-day public consultation period will be taken into consideration in preparation of the re-evaluation decision document,^{Footnote 2} which could result in revised risk mitigation measures. The re-evaluation decision document will include the final re-evaluation decision, the reasons for it and a summary of comments received on the proposed re-evaluation decision PRVD2021-09 with Health Canada's responses.

Additional scientific information

Additional scientific data are not required at this time.